Why Has Google Demanded a "Fast Lane"? - Columns by PC Magazine

Google is asking for trouble. The search giant has suddenly begun to talk about the need for a fast lane for its offerings—opening a hornet's nest of debate regarding its motives. After all, Google has servers all over the planet sitting on world-class fiber, and we all know it's one of the most responsive sites online. So what's this baloney all about, really?

It's about Google maintaining its edge by having an advantage, not in perceived speed but in back-end speed. People moan and groan that this violates net neutrality principles. This isn't about net neutrality; it's about squashing the competition.

Most net-neutrality arguments are centered on the specious logic that someday an ISP will have its own search engine, and that it will choke off Google and others so much that people will have to use the ISP's search tool. "Everyone should have equal access," the populace screams.

Why Has Google Demanded a "Fast Lane"? - Columns by PC Magazine