Google poised to offer a 1Gb fibre broadband service

In an unexpected turn-up for the books Google has announced its intention to build and test a high-speed broadband network capable of speeds up to 1Gb.

At first, it intends to build a number of trial ultra-fast fibre-optic broadband networks in communities across the United States. But, all things going well it’s a service that could, quite feasibly, end up making its way over the pond to the UK.

At first at least 50,000 US citizens and potentially 500,000 people could make use of Google’s 1Gb broadband service, giving them the opportunity to enjoy bandwith-intensive services or, as Google puts it, “other uses we can’t yet imagine”.

Rather than forcing customers to sign up to the speedy fibre broadband service through them Google says it’s keen to keep competition thriving by operating an “open access” network. This will give users the choice of multiple service providers and hopefully, make sure prices remain popularly priced. It also promises to manage its network in an “open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.”

Looking at the scope for 1Gb in the UK, earlier this week BT confirmed it would be willing to give rival companies access to its own infrastructures in an effort to increase broadband coverage across the country. With this a possibility, it could be a lot easier for Google to lay fibre to homes without costly installation.

It’s been a week of announcements for Google. Yesterday, it launched the social-networking component Google Buzz, for its popular webmail service, Gmail.

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