September 12, 2005
September 12, 2005
Free Internet Service or Maintain Your Privacy?
Category: General Tips
Read an interesting article over the weekend about Google’s plans for the internet. It appears as if google is buying up a bunch of fiber optic lines. With the troubles in the telecom industry, they are getting great deals on the lines. And what they are proposing to do, is then to set up Wi-Fi networks in major cities. They will allow anyone with wireless cards to access the internet for free. This project is already underway in San Francisco, with a local company out there supplying the wireless network.
The reason google is going with this company, is they appear to be the only ones with the technology to be able to pin point the ip address’s location. This is fascinating for a company as large as google with their advertising. It will then allow them, being google, to show region targeted ads. I imagine companies will pay more money to advertise if they new their ad would be in front of someone in the local area.
You are basically giving up the privacy of your location, in return for free internet access. Not too big of a deal, as you already do with your cell phone. But now it will be your computer as well. But, you will get to see local ads, which could be of benefit for you.
I was just more impressed with the power of Google. These guys will bring down microsoft, and soon will be the largest computer/softare company. And the brilliant part is they charge the customers, being us, $0 for using their products. Goes to show you can give away free stuff and make a bundle of money.