The Google Fiber Effect

It is a very old dogma that competition improves the product but it's dogma because it's true. Broadband internet is one area that is ripe for improvement.

Depending on where you live in the country one of a few big cable companies is probably providing your internet service. In Oregon it's almost certainly Comcast as DSL providers are an also-ran who can't quite get their act together. Cable companies are big fat money machines that aren't known for customer service because they are sitting on franchises from local governments and don't have to compete because they are pretty much the only game in town. Until now.

Google is getting into the market and having an almost instant effect - the Google Fiber Effect. Take Austin for example. Google announces plans to roll out its 1 Gb (100x faster than current broadband) and AT&T suddenly gets off its patoot and trots out equivalent service and cuts the price. It's not that the existing carriers can't do it; they just haven't had any reason to do it. 

Right now Google is talking to Portland about Google Fiber and I hope they decide to come in and then move down to Salem. Faster service at a better price sounds really good to me!
Competition does indeed improve the product. 

www.cnet.com/news/googles-fiber-effect-fuel-for-a-broadband-explosion/