Equal Net Access? Google Wants a 'Fast Lane' - Small Business Computing

Equal Net Access? Google Wants a ‘Fast Lane’

Dec 15, 2008
1 minute read

Google has approached Internet carriers with a proposal to create a “fast lane” for its own content, countering its previously stance of equal network access for all content providers, according to a report in the The Wall Street Journal Sunday.

One major cable operator in talks with Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) said it has been reluctant to forge a deal because of concerns it might violate Federal Communications Commission guidelines on network neutrality, the newspaper said in its electronic edition.

Cable and phone companies that operate the data pipelines are supposed to treat all traffic the same.

Google’s proposal, called OpenEdge, would place Google servers directly within the network of the service providers, the newspaper said, and accelerate Google’s service for users.



Google could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Wall Street Journal said that when asked about OpenEdge, Google said other companies could strike similar deals if they desired.


Copyright 2008 Reuters. Click for restrictions.

Do you have a comment or question about this article or other small business topics in general? Speak out in the SmallBusinessComputing.com Forums. Join the discussion today!
Small Business Computing Staff

Small Business Computing addresses the technology needs of small businesses, which are defined as businesses with fewer than 500 employees and/or less than $7 million in annual sales.

Small Business Computing Logo

Small Business Computing addresses the technology needs of small businesses, which are defined as businesses with fewer than 500 employees and/or less than $7 million in annual sales. To address the needs of these small businesses, Small Business Computing offers detailed coverage of cost-effective technology solutions, including lists of top vendors, product comparisons, and how-to guides that offer specific tools to help solve issues.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.