Google is building a higher-speed network “testbed” in the US.

“Testbed” — in quotes — because what it is really is a warning shot across the bows of ISPs threatening anti-net-neutrality measures.

“If you just want the right to innovate on your business model,” Google sez, “then we might do the same — and all of our guys are passionate techno-PhDs who really get the internet.”

How many of, say, Verizon’s mid-level staff really understand networking? They barely understand multiplication.

This is one of those great moves in business. The old networking providers are based around a simple model: raise a giant pile of money, build a network of well-understood technology, and then amortize the costs over decades of pointless service charges. Google is directly attacking that model — innovate the heck out of the network assets and you’ll make them worthless, fux0r the cost structure, and maybe even collapse one or two techdinos.

Well played. Capitalism at its best.