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Google invests in electric broadband

Socket to 'em

Tim Richardson Fri 8 Jul 2005 // 13:39 UTC

Google has joined a gaggle of other companies to invest in a US broadband company that provides high speed net services over electricity cables.

Exactly how much search engine outfit Google, investment bank Goldman Sachs and comms outfit The Hearst Corporation have ploughed into Current Communications has not been revealed.

However, the dosh will be used to invest in its Broadband over Power Line (BPL) service, which provides high speed net access over power cables.

"These investments provide us with both capital and operating assistance as we continue to roll out Broadband-over-Power Line services to provide voice, video and data services," said William Berkman, Chairman of CURRENT Communications Group.

"With roughly two-thirds of the nation still without broadband and many utilities looking for means to upgrade their distribution networks, the acceleration of CURRENT's build-out is a clear win-win for consumers."

Maryland-based Current is, erm, currently wiring up homes in Cincinnati to take its broadband service as part of a joint venture with Cinergy Corp. ®

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