US media giant Google is considering building a fibre network in a European country, according to reports citing brief comments made by senior vice president David Drummond.
Google was unable to comment on the speculation, but Drummond was quoted on…
US media giant Google is considering building a fibre network in a European country, according to reports citing brief comments made by senior vice president David Drummond.
Google was unable to comment on the speculation, but Drummond was quoted on 21 October saying the group was “looking very closely” at a potential European project, without giving details, during a meeting at the French Industry Ministry.
However, a source close to the company downplayed reports that suggested it could build a European fibre network, saying there were no plans or discussions.
Such a move would build on a fibre trial Google is currently conducting in the US, where it plans to offer ultra high-speed broadband in Kansas City in early 2012.
Few details have been released about Google’s fibre pilot, but explaining the company’s intentions to local residents back in June, Matt Dunne, head of Google’s community relations, said: “Our business is built on the success of the web. We believe that building an ultra high-speed broadband network will help move the web forward and push the boundaries of technology – that’s good for users and good for Google.”
When asked whether the group also planned to provide TV and phone services, Dunne said at the time: “For now we’re focused on providing ultra high-speed internet connectivity. We want to hear from Kansas City residents what additional services they would find most valuable before announcing any additional commitments.”
More than 1000 communities across the US expressed interest in Google’s fibre project when it was first announced in 2010.
Google’s potential push into European fibre comes as Neelie Kroes, the Commissioner for the EU’s Digital Agenda, launches a consultation to explore ways to accelerate the deployment of fibre in Europe.
The EC has criticised the lack of fibre investments by European telcos, as it calls for 500 million EU residents to have access to a 30Mbps superfast broadband connection by 2020.
In addition, the UN’s Broadband Commission for Digital Development announced four “ambitious but achievable” goals on 25 October that countries around the world should be striving for.
The UN Commission called on all countries to have a national broadband strategy or plan by 2015. Also, by the same year, it said developing countries must have adequate regulation and market forces to make broadband affordable, with at least 40% of their households connected to the internet.
Furthermore, by 2015, the UN believes internet penetration should reach 60% worldwide, 50% in developing countries and 15% in Least Developed Countries.
“These targets are ambitious but achievable, given the political will and commitment on the part of governments, working in partnership with the private sector,” said Dr Hamadoun Touré, co-Vice Chair of the Commission.
