The London Times covers the Google Darknet rumor that surfaced last summer when informed sources indicated Google was buying up dark fiber. More recently, Robert X. Cringley started a really good rumor before CES that Google was going to get into the hardware business. Even Bear Stearns put this in a daily report…. blowing further hot air into the Google froth. The Times faithfully recycles this information, but one quote jumps right off the paper.
A leading content provider, who did not wish to be named, told Times Online: “We are in discussions with Google to provide content for their alternative internet service, to be distributed through their Google Cube product. As far as I’m aware they have been conducting negotiations with a number of other players in our marketplace to provide quality content to their users.”
I’m not sure I believe this source. Media guys are not very good at keeping secrets, and if they were in talks with Google it would leak like a sieve. If true, it’s one hell of a scoop by a British paper.
We have are own thoughts on the Google darknet and the reasoning behind it. They have nothing to do with Video and everything with Google protecting their core search business. Looks like it’s time to write them up.
Maybe many reasons:
1. For their video service.
2. As an ip6->ip4 bridge network maybe, (Google as a proxy between IP6 and IP4 space).
3. Zooming views would need a big fat pipe (part of this comment):
http://www.nigeljohnstone.com/archives/2005/10/suggestions_-_d.html
4. As an investment, buy em cheap sell em high.