Google is in talks to offer its OnHub series of routers to broadband ISPs around the world. The company has unveiled two different routers in the OnHub lineup, one made by TP-Link, and one made by Asus. The routers are Google's attempt to not only bring a little style to the traditional router, but to make setting up and maintenance much simpler for those uncomfortable with the sometimes antiquated and confusing menus of traditional routers. Response to the routers has generally been positive because of their ease of use. A simpler, easier router could benefit ISPs that have historically low customer satisfaction ratings.
"We think there's a great fit for the product for the carrier operators," Google Product Manager Trond Wuellner says of the talks. "We've had really productive conversations... with a number of carriers around the world."
However, given its past support for net neutrality, its expansion of Google Fiber as a competitor, and a touch of ISP envy regarding Google ad revenues -- Google's still "public enemy number one" in the mind of many US ISP executives, who are unlikely to give Google any more ground on what they see as "their turf." Still, Google could find success in hardware deal negotiations with smaller US ISPs -- or some international ISPs -- that don't see Google as direct competition as a major alternative services provider.
Source: http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Google-in-Talks-to-Offer-its-OnHub-Routers-to-ISPs-136784