Only a few months ago the subject of video services on the Internet brought about a radical suggestion that the likes of the BBC, and its successful iPlayer, could be charged for using individual ISP delivery networks. Interestingly, Spanish telecommunications outfit Telefonica has this week suggested it may well look at charging search engines for using its network in the future.
This is the first time that ISPs have commented upon search engines and the potential charging of the likes of Google, Yahoo! and Bing in the future. The truth is that search engines do receive something of a “free ride” on ISPs in the UK, and around the world, although ultimately without search engine technology and search engine investment why would Internet users spend half as much time online?
At this point in time it seems highly unlikely that this plan to charge the likes of Google, etc, will be put into action but it could be something which the ISPs can keep in the background as a potential bargaining tool in the future. The ever-growing cost of Internet technology is starting to impact upon the bottom line of many companies in the industry and we could see a redistribution of costs in the future.