Free internet access for all US residents from Google.

BobDiGiTaL · Jan 6, 2006

Has anyone heard about the rumor Google is wiring the United States for wifi.
Maybe not the entire Us but major cities for sure.
Supposedly, All you need is wifi access and Google will allow you to surf for free.
I assume there will be ads everywhere.
And you must use their homepage.

Can anyone tell me if this is true?

MrDude · Jan 6, 2006

I read something about this, To use it you will be required to use the google toolbar, But how long before hackers can find a way round?

Focus · Jan 6, 2006

yes its gonna be called "google wifi worldwide"

Shaggy · Jan 7, 2006

What is needed for WiFi? I wireless network conection, or a wireless adaptor that is able to connect to WiFi connection?

darrenl · Jan 7, 2006

It will not be allowed because it is what we call a monolopoly

.

jaik · Jan 7, 2006

do u mean totally free? or is there any requirements

stuff · Jan 7, 2006

skype and netgear already relased wifi phone
all you need is wifi, and the phone, no computer needed

http://www.netgear.com/pressroom/press_releasesdetail.php?id=305

MrDude · Jan 7, 2006

It will not be allowed? I think we will see about that, Google have money, Some people would sell their family for the right price...

insomnia · Jan 7, 2006

I think they're doing beta with san francisco, but largely I'm not sure if wiring an entire city will be cost efficient

gariben · Jan 7, 2006

Google was approve to provide Wi-Fi only in Mountain View. They are bidding against 5 other providers in San Francisco.

It will not be allowed? I think we will see about that, Google have money, Some people would sell their family for the right price...

Microsoft has 40 billion dollars in the vault and that is not considered to be a lot of money. Compared to Microsoft, Google has pocket change now.

NameYourself · Jan 7, 2006

gariben said:
Google was approve to provide Wi-Fi only in Mountain View. They are bidding against 5 other providers in San Francisco.

Microsoft has 40 billion dollars in the vault and that is not considered to be a lot of money. Compared to Microsoft, Google has pocket change now.

Google has a ton of cash on hand to invest. Last I heard, Microsoft also has $40 Billion in liquid cash as well. This should help to paint a picture of how large GOOGLE already is compared to some other big names, and also why something like the free wifi worldwide idea could fit their strategy.

Market Cap List

GOOGLE - $120 Billion
TimeWarner - $85 Billion
Ebay - $65 Billion
American Express - $64 Billion
Yahoo! - $60 Billion
Sony - $36 Billion

Google is huge and does have a lot of cash to invest. Here's a quote from Google's IPO Prospectus:

"We would fund projects that have a 10% chance of earning a billion dollars.... Do not be surprised if we place smaller bets in areas that seem very speculative or even strange."

-source: BusinessWeek Magazine Dec. 2005

Luc · Jan 7, 2006

no thanks. i didn't user their gmail service because i don't want my emails inspected for content and cached on their servers and i wont use their "free" wifi service when it is available.

remember people, nothing is ever free. one way or another you WILL pay for it, either with your privacy or in other means.

Focus · Jan 7, 2006

Mocus said:
yes its gonna be called "google wifi worldwide"

this was a joke btw..I wanted to see if anyone went and reg'd it..lol

Steen · Jan 7, 2006

NameYourself said:
Last I heard, Microsoft also has $40 Billion in liquid cash as well. This should help to paint a picture of how large GOOGLE already is compared to some other big names

Market Cap List

GOOGLE - $120 Billion
TimeWarner - $85 Billion
Ebay - $65 Billion
American Express - $64 Billion
Yahoo! - $60 Billion
Sony - $36 Billion

Google is huge and does have a lot of cash to invest.

I like how Microsoft ($286B), Intel ($158B) and IBM ($134B) are left out. Google has some huge competition with MUCH larger liquid cash flows.

Regardless of the above figures, market cap is one matter, liquid cash is another. Microsoft has lots, Google, not so much (less than 1/5th of Microsoft).