Back in Sept 2012 Google announced its fits data center build in LATAM. Making the jump from NAP of Americas to South America and being in co-location sites can only work for a limited audience. At some point you'll need MWs of data center space.
I have long said to my clients that there is an world wide race to provide sub 100ms latency to everyone in the world. Google is a player and Equinix. Digital Realty Trust is building out wholesale space. Carriers are building relationships and capabilities to span the world. Netflix is expanding in emerging markets which drives demand for AWS globally as well.
The WSJ covers Google's efforts in Africa and Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Google to Fund, Develop Wireless Networks in Emerging Markets
Google Inc. GOOG -1.07% is deep into a multipronged effort to build and help run wireless networks in emerging markets as part of a plan to connect a billion or more new people to the Internet.
These wireless networks would serve areas such as sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia to dwellers outside of major cities where wired Internet connections aren't available, said people familiar with the strategy.
The networks also could be used to improve Internet speeds in urban centers, these people said.
Google plans to team up with local telecommunications firms and equipment providers in the emerging markets to develop the networks, as well as create business models to support them, these people said. It is unclear whether Google already has lined up such deals or alliances.
One of the areas I have been watching for is when servers will show up in cell tower installations to improve the performance and latency of mobile devices. With Google's acquisition of Motorola they can create a wireless data center solution. And there is even speculation Google will launch an airborne wireless fleet.
As part of the plan, Google has been working on building an ecosystem of new microprocessors and low-cost smartphones powered by its Android mobile operating system to connect to the wireless networks, these people said. And the Internet search giant has worked on making special balloons or blimps, known as high-altitude platforms, to transmit signals to an area of hundreds of square miles, though such a network would involve frequencies other than the TV broadcast ones.
Google has also considered helping to create a satellite-based network, some of these people said.
Some people may think this is new news, but there have been discussions even back in 2007 that Google was looking at wireless networks.
Sometimes the rumours are both outrageous and true. Google is experimenting with new ways of bringing broadband connections to consumers, by blanketing parts of Silicon Valley with Wi-Fi networks. It is planning to enter an auction for valuable radio spectrum in America, and thinking of radically new business models to make money from wireless data and voice networks, perhaps a free service supported by ads.
