Google's pending move into VoIP, internet access

Who thinks Google aspires to be a service provider -- of Internet access and possibly broadband wireless access (WiFi) throughout large cities? Come on, raise your hands please. With the immense amount of non-used (dark) fiber optic capacity Google now owns along with major investments in technologies to allow broadband connections over power lines and with its first citywide WiFi network -- co-opened with Earthlink in San Francisco just recently, I have to wonder about Google's intentions.

Although Google CEO Eric Schmidt has said that Google did not want to get into the "service provider" business, all the signs are happening in a low-key way that suggest Google is doing just that. It would not be out of the realm of possibility for Google to want the complete channel of communication from its search engine and web product servers directly to the consumer's home. Talk about heading off net neutrality with forward-thinking investments. Is Google smarter than the U.S. Congress? Well, the average 10-year old is probably smarter than the U.S. Congress, so that it not saying much.

Google may be laying the groundwork here for an expansion into the voice communication business (VoIP) along with the data pipe business to many businesses and consumers, and being innovative is what produces the best product for customers. If Google sees roadblocks in its way, the company sure is being crafty about circumventing them in interesting fashion.