Google Wants Internet Express Lane

Google's policy is to avoid being evil, but the company is not above asking for a little preferential treatment. According to The Wall Street Journal, Google, traditionally one of the strongest voices for equal access to the net, is looking to pay for a "fast track" that will carry its content at higher speeds than other Internet sites." "If we did this, Washington would be on fire," said one executive from a cable company in talks with Google about establishing an express lane for the company's content. Google is not alone. As the cost of network traffic grows, especially with the explosion of online video, phone and cable companies are arguing that content providers should share in the cost, perhaps by paying for privileged treatment. The issue will test the resolve of President-elect Obama, who said in a speech last year at Google headquarters: "The Internet is perhaps the most open network in history, and we have to keep it that way. I will take a backseat to no one in my commitment to network neutrality."