Telcos vs punto com, cuarta parte (y probablemente no última...)

El miércoles pasado, sin relación pero muy oportunamente, Google ha dado un nuevo giro a las aspiraciones locales de Telefónica, de cobrar peaje por su transporte de Internet. Tal día, Google anunció oficialmente su intención de entrar al negocio de la provisión de servicio de banda ancha, de manera muy ambiciosa: ofrecería un servicio de alta velocidad experimentalmente, a un máximo de medio millón de usuarios, por un precio competitivo. Quizá realmente Telefónica esté pensando ahora que no fue un buen momento para salir a reclamar una tajada del negocio. Y quiza sea el momento de comenzar a hacer lobby para restringir la competencia de nuevos operadores de comunicaciones...
Qué dice el anuncio de Google:

[...] We're planning to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States. We'll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We plan to offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.
Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that we have in mind:

• Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it's creating new bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services, or other uses we can't yet imagine.
• New deployment techniques: We'll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we'll share key lessons learned with the world.
• Openness and choice: We'll operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with our past advocacy, we'll manage our network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.

Like our WiFi network in Mountain View, the purpose of this project is to experiment and learn. Network providers are making real progress to expand and improve high-speed Internet access, but there's still more to be done. We don't think we have all the answers – but through our trial, we hope to make a meaningful contribution to the shared goal of delivering faster and better Internet for everyone.

Frente a un modelo monopolístico de hacer negocios, tacaño con la innovación, sordo al cliente, pudiera ser que apareciera y creciera otro distinto y más conveniente al usuario final. El tiempo dirá...