What Is Google Fiber?

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Internet users hoping for an extremely fast and price-competitive service provider need to ask themselves the questions: “What is Google Fiber?” and, perhaps more importantly, “When is it coming to my city?” The web search giant created Fiber to build an Internet service capable of speeds up to 1,000 times faster than a typical connection.

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With more consumers desiring both streaming television and standard Internet content, faster bandwidth is a growing necessity. Google’s one gigabit per second service fills that void along with creating competition, which forces other providers to increase their price-performance ratio.

Google Fiber: A Closer Look

Currently, Google Fiber is only available in Kansas City, with Austin, Texas, and Provo, Utah, slated to get the service shortly. Fiber’s price in Kansas City is $70 per month for the 1 Gbps Internet service and $120 per month for an Internet and TV service bundle. Google also offers a free 5 Mbps service with a one-time $300 construction fee that can be prorated at $25 per month for one year; the one-time construction fee is only $30 in Provo.

Paid Internet users also get 1 TB of cloud-based Google Drive storage. Those who pay for the TV bundle also receive a 2 TB DVR and a Google Nexus tablet, along with a TV remote control.

Google Needs to Roll Out Fiber More Quickly!

Given the fast speeds of Google Fiber, many other locales are clamoring to receive the service. Just last month, Google announced 34 new cities that may be among the next locations to get Fiber. The 34 cities are located in nine metropolitan areas across the United States — but surprisingly nowhere in the Northeast made the cut.

Given the planned merger between Comcast and Time Warner, competition among Internet service providers is needed now more than ever. Soon the question will change from “What is Google Fiber?” to “How soon can it be available everywhere?”

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What Internet Speed Will $30 Buy You Worldwide?

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Internet speed in the United States varies according to a number of factors: where you live, who provides your service, and how much you’re willing to pay. And while it’s possible to get download speeds of up to 50 megabits per second (Mbps) for just over $30 per month in the US, this is far from the best deal worldwide. What does $30 buy you in other broadband-enabled countries?

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Moving Down the List

According to research data from Akamai, the United States doesn’t even make the global top 10 when it comes to peak Mbps transfer rates. Hong Kong leads the pack with 65.4 Mbps, followed by South Korea at 63.6, and Japan at 52. Rounding out the bottom of the pack are the Netherlands with 39.6 and Belgium at 38.5. America does crack the top 10 (spot number 9) in the number of people who have access to broadband faster than 10 Mbps. Thirty-four percent of users in the US have connections over the 10 Mbps mark, while 49 percent of those in Japan and 70 percent of those in South Korea enjoy similar speeds.

The United States is making headway when it comes to Internet speed thanks to the rollout of fiber-optic cable by big providers like Verizon and Google, but blazing fast speeds approaching those of Asian countries, while possible, are extremely expensive stateside. Although New York residents can get 50 Mbps peak download speeds for $35 through fiber lines from RCN, and those in San Francisco can get 100 Mbps for almost $40, many other countries continue to offer better services at lower prices.

Worldwide Pricing

Pricing information gathered by New America shows a significant gap in what’s offered and exactly how much it costs. At the head of the class is Seoul, South Korea, where users can get 1,000 Mbps download speeds for just over $35 USD through Internet service provider (ISP) HelloVision. In Tokyo, $30 USD gets you 100 Mbps on a fiber-optic connection, and in Bucharest you get 80 Mbps for roughly the same price. For less than $28 USD, users in Riga, Latvia, can access 100 Mbps downloads through cable ISP Balticom. It’s also worth noting that the price of broadband Internet is coming down in many parts of the world, compared to a gradual scaling up on North American soil. For example, in 2012 French consumers in Paris had access to 100 Mbps connections for $40 USD per month. By 2013, speeds of 100, 200, and even 300 Mbps were all offered for $30 USD.

Increased fiber-optic adoption in the US is helping to lower the price for some users and increase overall connection speeds — where its infrastructure exists, Google charges a set fee to wire up an entire apartment complex and then offers free basic Internet access, or provides much higher-speed alternatives for around $70 per month. For the moment, however, many ISPs in America aren’t shy about charging higher prices for lower speeds.

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The Internet Connectivity Challenge: How The Internet Plays a Role in Customer Satisfaction

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No longer are restaurants, hotels, and other businesses judged on products and services alone — now, Internet connectivity plays a large role in customer satisfaction ratings. Coffee shops without free WiFi may lose clientele to the accessible cafe across the street, while hotels that charge outrageous amounts for connecting may find their rooms empty. What are consumers willing to pay for, and what do they expect for free?

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The Coffee Shop Conundrum

Coffeehouses have become a symbol of the wireless revolution — head out for a latte or hot chocolate and you’ll find tables filled with laptop and tablet users all working away or surfing the Web. Some rely on their 3G or 4G networks to get online, but there’s now an expectation of free wireless access, especially if the coffee is on the expensive side. Typically, businesses partner with a local Internet provider who offers open access to anyone in range of the signal. Users must agree to abide by basic standards of conduct but are otherwise free to do as they please online. Most coffeehouse and restaurant patrons understand that the Internet connection they get for free won’t be the fastest they’ve ever used, but are also often willing to walk away if there’s no access offered or if the business wants to charge a fee. Increasingly, consumers see network access as a basic right rather than a value-added service.

The Hotel Hot Spot

Hotels are a slightly different animal. The practice of charging a per-day use fee is common in most hotels, especially those in premium locations, with prices ranging from $10 to $25 per day. On cruise ships, the cost can be upwards of 80 cents per minute. Some chains offer free high-speed access in every room in addition to wireless hot spots throughout the hotel, while others give out a free pass to guests staying on “executive” floors. Most hotels also offer the choice between wired and wireless connections, especially if most of their clients are business travelers. Wireless access in a hotel filled with guests will almost always be slow and periodically interrupted, while wired connections can provide much-needed security and speed.

Increasing Expectations

Online reviews of retailers and hotels often include references to Internet connectivity, especially if the service was nonexistent or very slow. Many consumers are willing to change their buying or traveling habits in order to get the kind of connectivity they want. What’s more, many are moving beyond just tablet and laptop use — new technologies, like Google’s Chromecast dongle, allow users to watch TV on demand almost anywhere there’s a WiFi connection. The problem? In many hotels, even free wireless access needs a user name and password, which you can’t enter on devices without a Web browser, such as the Chromecast or Roku.

Customer satisfaction ratings rise or fall in response to quality of service, product, and now Internet availability. Speed isn’t enough by itself; businesses must consider what kind of access they’ll provide and exactly how much to charge.

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South Korea Has the Fastest Internet Speeds, but Is It Free and Clear?

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If you’re talking about the fastest Internet speeds, South Korea is always part of the conversation. Year after year the country tops worldwide lists, and the South Korean government recently announced plans to upgrade the existing 4G network to blazing 5G by the end of the decade. But there’s a trade-off — although fast, Internet use is also closely monitored in this Asian country, leading some to call it only “partly free.”

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Need for Speed

At the end of January 2014, South Korea’s science ministry announced investments of up to $1.5 billion in conjunction with local Internet service providers (ISPs), according to the Guardian. The plan is to replace the country’s 4G network with a next-gen 5G alternative by 2020, making it possible to download an 800 megabyte (MB) movie in just one second. The nation already boasts average download speeds of about 22 megabits per second (Mbps), with over 78 percent of its 50 million people connected via smartphones. Ideally, South Korea wants to be out in front when it comes to 5G design and beat out other countries like the United States and China, since speedy Internet services have provided a steady economic boost. Upgrades to the existing network would also allow better connection on high-speed bullet trains — currently, users aren’t able to access 4G Internet on any trains traveling over 300 kilometers per hour (kph). Using a 5G service, even traveling 500 kph wouldn’t pose a problem.

Who’s Watching?

In addition to the fastest Internet speeds in the world, South Korea also has a significant amount of government censorship. Under the watchful eye of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), Internet use, web page creation, and even mapping data are all regulated. As noted recently by the Malaysian Digest, children under 16 are not permitted to participate in online gaming between midnight and 6 a.m. — accessing the Internet requires users to enter their government-issued ID numbers. In addition, South Korean map data isn’t allowed to leave the country, meaning Google Maps can’t provide driving directions, and last year the KCSC blocked users from accessing 63,000 web pages. While it’s possible to get around these restrictions using a virtual private network (VPN), those found violating the nation’s Internet rules are subject to large fines or even jail time.

The bottom line? South Korean Internet is the fastest in the world — the United States, by comparison, barely sneaks into the top ten for average download speed. What’s more, the country is already on the road to upgrading its speedy service, while the bulk of US customers are still using 3G networks or dealing with sub-5 Mbps downloads. The fastest Internet speeds come at a cost, however, thanks to the KCSC and a host of user restrictions. But the country proves a technological point; 5G is well within reach and offers speeds previously thought impossible. Ideally, US Internet evolution can follow suit without restricting user access.

Is Google Developing a Faster Internet Speed?

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While Google Fiber and its 1 Gbps speeds are slowly rolling out across the United States, the web search giant is working on an even faster Internet technology. Google’s chief financial officer, Patrick Pichette, has noted that the company is developing a high-tech system that would allow Internet speeds up to 10 Gbps, as reported by USA Today. Pichette made the comments during the recent Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet conference, which took place in February 2014.

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Given the fact that Google Fiber is only available in a small portion of the country, many Internet users would rather see more effort made on improving its availability instead of developing an even faster Internet speed.

Google Obsessed With Improving the Speed of the Internet

Pichette said that this “next generation” of the Internet and its exponential speed improvement is an obsession of his company. Google expects that software as a service (SaaS) and other cloud-based consumer offerings will become commonplace as users gain trust in these services over a faster Internet. Still, cloud computing adoption at both the business and home level is growing rapidly even with today’s Internet speeds.

UK researchers are also developing a fiber-optic “LiFi” technology that provides speeds of up to 10 Gbps, so Google can expect to have some competition in this technical area. Pichette expects Google to be able to deploy their new Internet technology within a decade, but it could become available sooner than that.

Google Needs to Speed Up Their Fiber Deployment Schedule

Given that Google Fiber is still only available in Kansas City, with Austin, Texas, and Provo, Utah, implementations scheduled in the short-term, some Internet users will remain skeptical that the company will start deploying 10 Gbps service within the next few years. Pichette says that Fiber isn’t just a hobby for Google, but until Internet users can enjoy 1 Gbps speeds in places located outside of Kansas City, most of those users will need to stay patient.

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Will a Wireless N Router Help You Pick Up Speed?

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Wireless routers are becoming commonplace in home networks. Many popular Internet service providers (ISPs) now include wireless routers as part of higher-tier Internet packages, and it’s possible to get a decent router for less than $100 at a big-box technology store. But wireless isn’t perfect; users often complain about slow download speeds or unreliable connections. One way to improve your home network is upgrading to a wireless N router — but will this really help you pick up speed?

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Cracking the Wireless Code

To ensure wireless technology functions regardless of router make or model, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) developed the 802.11 standard. To differentiate between different versions of this standard, the IEEE uses letters; for example, the first two standards developed were 802.11a and 802.11b. These standards were developed at the same time but operate using different frequency bands. 802.11b uses the 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) band and offers speeds of up to 11 megabits per second (Mbps). Standard 802.11a, meanwhile, uses the 5 GHz band and provides speeds of up to 54 Mbps, but its range is much shorter. 802.11b gained popularity as the backbone of home networks, while 802.11a was adopted by many businesses. In 2003, 802.11g routers became available, combining the best of 802.11a and 802.11b by operating on the 2.4 GHz band and increasing the speeds from 11 to 54 GHz. In 2009, we saw the release of 802.11n devices, which can operate in both bands and use multiple signals and antennas to improve range and signal strength. They are backwards-compatible with 802.11a and 802.11b/g devices and can achieve speeds of up to 300 Mbps.

Going Faster

It seems simple: Upgrade to a wireless N router and your connection should be blazing fast. That isn’t always the case, however, so it’s worth doing some detective work before paying for a new router. First, make sure the wireless cards in your computers, smartphones, and tablets are able to handle wireless signals from 802.11n devices, since phones or desktops more than five years old may not be equipped with the right kind of wireless technology. Next, check your Internet speed using a free online test, and compare the results to what you should be getting from your ISP. If you’ve determined both the ideal location for your router to avoid signal degradation and that there are no problems on your provider’s end, and you’re still consistently well below the maximum bandwidth of your connection, your wireless router may be hampering your speed. It’s important to note, however, that a wireless router cannot make your connection any faster than your ISP allows. If you pay for 25 Mbps and are getting that with a wireless G router, upgrading to a wireless N alternative won’t give you increased speed. You also need to consider how many users access your network at the same time. Even if you have bandwidth to spare, having five or more users on the same wireless network can slow downloads to a crawl.

Wireless N technology offers much faster top-end speeds than the 802.11a, 11b, or 11g standards, but it isn’t a guaranteed fix for download troubles. Check your current and maximum speeds before you shell out the cash for a new router.

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Can VPN Services Help Keep Netflix Up to Speed?

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Netflix has been the subject of debate recently, not just for rumors that the service plans to increase its per-month pricing but also that certain Internet service providers (ISPs) are throttling bandwidth to users. The result? Slow movie and TV show downloads, coupled with an inordinate amount of buffering instead of watching. One answer to this problem is the use of VPN services, which let consumers get around many of the restrictions placed on them by ISPs. But do they really work?

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The Netflix Problem

Netflix has a solid business model — a large variety of content for a low price every month. Sure, the video quality isn’t the highest, and not all versions of Netflix — PS4, Xbox One, and Wii just to name a few — work equally well, but the sheer number of shows and movies available, coupled with breakout Netflix-only hits like Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards means the streaming video provider isn’t hurting for customers. With Internet speeds increasing, however, and users fed up with traditional cable networks, more pressure is put on ISPs to deliver gigabytes of information to customers every week — and in some cases, every day.

Consumers now allege that some ISPs are starting to throttle bandwidth. This stops short of putting a hard cap on the amount of data users can download each month but slows the rate at which specific services download content. As a result, shows take longer to load, menus are unresponsive, and longer movies become downright unwatchable.

The VPN Solution?

A VPN, or “virtual private network,” is a way to alter the IP address of your computer, allowing you to bypass many of the restrictions placed on your connection by an ISP. VPN services are available for free from sites like OkayFreedom or OpenVPN Shield Exchange, and for pay from providers like VyprVPN (around $7 per month) or AirVPN (around $9 per month). Many of these services prevent “deep packet inspection” by ISPs, meaning your Internet company won’t know if you’re accessing Netflix or not, which would hopefully prevent any kind of bandwidth throttling. VPNs also fully encrypt the data and hide your IP address from websites you visit, instead showing the address of the closest VPN server. Some services also offer iOS or Android apps, which let you avoid these problems on mobile devices as well.

It’s worth noting that some VPN services keep logs of all activity on their network for 30, 60, or 90 days, which opens up the problem of a potential privacy breach. In addition, some are located outside the United States. While this increases basic privacy, it can also mean a slowdown in overall connection speed due to high packet latency. And in certain cases, even a good VPN won’t solve the problem. If your Internet connection is simply too slow overall or if your provider throttles all connections, paying for a virtual private network won’t make Netflix movies download any faster.

If you’re having trouble with Netflix slowdown, start by running an Internet speed test. Double-check that your speed matches what you’re paying for and check for anyone hijacking your wireless network or connection issues with Netflix itself. If everything else checks out, it’s possible your ISP is throttling your connection and a VPN service could get you back on track.

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In-Flight Internet Speeds to Take Off With Satellite Airwaves

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With the FAA recently loosening restrictions on the use of smartphones and tablet computers during takeoff, last year’s news that in-flight Internet speeds are expected to get a boost from something called satellite airwaves should pique the interest of the traveling set. So what are satellite waves, and how do they speed up mobile bandwidth? Let’s take a closer look.

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In-Flight Internet Access No Longer Tethered to the Earth

In the past, Internet access on airplanes used a variety of terrestrial antennas for connections. Generally, this limited bandwidth prevented travelers from enjoying a wide variety of rich media content on their mobile devices. Satellite airwaves offer Internet speeds that rival a fast cable or DSL connection, but these airwaves weren’t normally available for use by Internet providers. Enter the FCC.

In early November 2013, the satellite communications service Globalstar earned preliminary regulatory approval from the FCC to allocate unused satellite airwaves for use by Internet providers offering Internet service to airlines as well as other companies providing mobile Internet access. Expect in-flight Internet speeds to improve when final approval is awarded.

Other Mobile Internet Providers Benefit From Satellite Waves

The promise of satellite waves being used to improve Internet bandwidth isn’t limited to airline travel. Globalstar said in its presentation to the FCC that it expects the overall US WiFi capacity to improve by one-third with the use of satellite waves. In fact, Amazon.com has used Globalstar’s service in a limited capacity for private testing purposes.

In 2012, Dish Network also earned FCC approval for the use of satellite waves for Internet access for smartphones. As mobile devices become the primary means for Internet access for many users, expect the FCC to continue to allow more use of satellite waves to improve both bandwidth and the availability of high-speed Internet access, especially in rural regions. Airline travelers also stand to benefit from the ability to enjoy rich media content while on long flights.

5 Must-Haves When Choosing a Hosting Provider

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The right web host is critical, whether you’re running an enterprise-level e-commerce site or hosting a personal blog. The wrong providers charge too much for too little and leave you wondering why you decided to go online in the first place. Here are five must-haves when choosing a hosting provider:

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1. Price

It’s obvious, but it’s true: Price is a critical factor in web hosting. Some companies offer hosting for free, but you’ll have to deal with limited functionality and a large number of on-site ads if you go this route. It’s also possible to find extremely cheap hosting — think $2 per month — but you won’t get much in the way of technical support if something doens’t work as advertised. Well-known hosting companies charge anywhere from $5 to $10 per month and may also offer value-added services like domain name registration, e-commerce shopping carts, or FTP managers. Going for the most expensive option doesn’t guarantee success, however; look for a comparison of available services and see which one best meets your needs.

2. Server Type

Your website needs to be hosted on a server, and there are three types of hosting plans available. First is shared hosting, which has your site’s data on the same server as other websites. This lowers the cost per month but can cause problems if one site starts eating up too much bandwidth. Dedicated hosting is the other side of the coin — here, all of a server’s resources are dedicated to your site, meaning you won’t need to worry about other clients stealing your bandwidth. The trade-off? Expect to pay a lot more per month, between $30 and $200 depending on what you want. The last option is a virtual server. Here, all hosted sites are on the same server but a hypervisor partitions them such that they can’t “see” each other and sets limits on their resource use. The cost falls between shared and dedicated hosting.

3. Linux Versus Windows

You also need to consider which operating system (OS) you want to run. Linux servers are the most popular, and therefore cheapest, option available. Windows servers are more expensive but may be necessary if you plan to run certain applications, for example anything using the .NET language. Functionally, these server types are almost identical, but Linux has a large number of variations, also known as “flavors,” to choose from and may be the better choice if you prefer customization over familiarity.

4. Solid Hardware

Before you start paying a monthly hosting fee, ask your potential provider about their server hardware. What brand of servers do they use? When were they purchased, and how are they secured? If the company can’t answer these questions or starts getting defensive, find another provider. Without the right hardware, your website will load slowly, your e-commerce shopping cart may fail, and consumers will quickly become irritated.

5. Customer Satisfaction

When choosing a hosting provider, the hope is to find one that won’t leave you stranded with a site that doesn’t work and a help line number that’s always busy. Always do a Google search for any company you’re considering and see what other customers have to say. In addition, check out the company’s Facebook page and Twitter feed — unhappy customers often take to social media to get a quick response. Take a look at how the company handles concerns and see if problems are immediately addressed. If you can’t find the company on any social media sites, chances are they’re not a good fit.

When you’re choosing a hosting provider, you have to make sure they’ve got what you need at the price you want.

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Could the Comcast X1 Be Your Next-Gen Cable Box?

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Comcast is primed to take over an even larger share of the US cable market thanks to an upcoming buyout of Time Warner Cable (TWC). While the deal still needs to be approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), there’s a good chance Comcast will end up with just under 30 percent of the American cable market, or approximately 30 million subscribers. To compete with up-and-coming offerings like those from AT&T, Verizon, and Cox, the company has rolled out Comcast X1, a next-gen cable box that promises everything from voice control to a real-time television search engine and the ability to record four shows while also watching a fifth. But how does X1 really stack up?

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The New Play

The company is pushing the X1 line hard for new customers and those who want to make best use of the “smart” features on Internet-enabled TVs. X1 is a cable box powered by the cloud — released last year, the system is already getting an upgrade and existing users are being ported over to the new platform. The goal of Comcast’s X1 is to be the go-to option for television viewers by providing a combination of Internet content, cable TV, on-screen applications, a five-tuner DVR, and access to on-demand programming with a very Netflix vibe attached. Most reviews highlight the usability of the service along with its clean interface.

Packages start at $90 and include up to 25 Mbps download speeds, 80 television channels, and nationwide voice calling. Access to 500,000 WiFi hotspots is also included. On the high end, you can grab the HD Complete package for just under $200, which features over 200 channels, 50 Mbps downloads, and unlimited nationwide talk and text, along with Comcast’s AnyRoom DVR.

Can You Hear Me Now?

One of the most notable advancements in the Comcast X1 system is the introduction of voice control via smartphone apps. The Xfinity TV X1 Remote app is available for both Android and iOS devices at no charge and lets users control their TV with the tap of a finger. If you prefer to talk, a simple press of the microphone button lets you ask the X1 to record programs, play shows, or suggest content based on past viewing history. Reviews of the app are generally positive, though in some cases the voice control takes more time to return results than using a traditional remote. Still, the app is in its first iteration; combined with automatic digital downloads of the X1′s operating system, expect to see this issue corrected sooner rather than later.

It’s also important to note that this remote app won’t work with older hardware, so users must upgrade to the new X1 network and cable box if they want voice control. Expect to pay between $50 and $100 to upgrade and get access to X1′s cloud-enabled network. Comcast says the upgrade fee goes toward the development of new features, and they’re making good on the promise — in February 2014, the company started rolling out a cloud-based DVR service that offers up to 500 gigabytes of storage per account.

Comcast sees its new cable box as the hub of a next-gen “Entertainment Operating System.” With cloud-based features, slick design, and a solid voice-controlled remote app, the X1 delivers.

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