Equal Net Access? Google Wants a 'Fast Lane'

OpenEdge proposal would favor Google content, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

Google has approached Internet carriers with a proposal to create a "fast lane" for its own content, countering its previously stance of equal network access for all content providers, according to a report in the The Wall Street Journal Sunday.

One major cable operator in talks with Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) said it has been reluctant to forge a deal because of concerns it might violate Federal Communications Commission guidelines on network neutrality, the newspaper said in its electronic edition.

Cable and phone companies that operate the data pipelines are supposed to treat all traffic the same.

Google's proposal, called OpenEdge, would place Google servers directly within the network of the service providers, the newspaper said, and accelerate Google's service for users.

Google could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Wall Street Journal said that when asked about OpenEdge, Google said other companies could strike similar deals if they desired.