We all have heard of Google, the giant whose search engine we use every day in both our personal and professional lives. Google has done just about everything imaginable, except for one item: Implementing its brand new 1Gbps Fiber To the Premises network protocol, also known as ‘FTTP’. This technology is geared towards the Small to Medium Business (SMB) market niche.
Offering this service has been difficult, and at the present time, it is only the Kansas City geographic area (both the MO and KS sides) who have access to this fiber-based technology. As a result, many business startups are moving to this region, who need to have access to this high-speed network connectivity. Currently, Google is offering its FTTP to SMB’s for $100 per month.
For an additional $20 to $30 per month, SMB’s can also obtain up to five more static IP addresses. This will let them run their own, on-premises dedicated servers, business websites, and give their workers remote network access to company resources.
If Google is successful in entering the Kansas City marketplace, they will have some stiff competition they will have to deal with. For example, Consolidated Communications and Time Warner Cable already offer such services in this geographic area. As a result, Google is also looking at other market segments to tap into, such as Austin, TX, and Provo, UT.
But despite the number of key benefits FTTP can bring to an SMB, actually installing into place has its own set of issues. Some of these include:
- Being granted the rights of way where existing utility poles exist;
- Gaining access to various conduit points;
- Creating a much more streamlined process of obtaining the required permits.
As powerful as its name might be, Google has also come to realize that in order to have a high adoption rate of its FTTP services, it needs to have a solid business model as well. In order to achieve this, Google has to spend more time investigating what the true needs and requirements of the SMB really are.
GeoTel Communications, LLC, provides telecommunications infrastructure data sets containing Fiber Maps to help Internet service providers better understand the metro fiber landscape. To receive a demo or more information about GeoTel’s products and services, please contact (407) 788-8888, or visit us on the web.
