The Onlive cloud-based game streaming service hasn't even launched in the US yet, but plans are already being laid for a European version of the service. British Telecom has committed to taking a 2.6 percent stake in the Onlive product. In return, British Telecom will receive exclusive rights to bundle the gaming service with its broadband internet packages. Onlive will also be available as a separate purchase to users of other telecoms.

Onlive probises to deliver high quality 3D gaming to various devices with weaker hardware. This could included inexpensive laptops, mobile phones, or even TVs. A Beta test has been underway in the US, and a final release is supposed to happen next month. It's unclear if Onlive will be striking any special deals with US ISPs.

Onlive has been trying to gain a foothold in Europe since 2009, and has even gone so far as to set up data centers to test the service. Tests have been run in several countries with the aim of having different data presences in each country because of regulatory concerns. Resolution may not be what PC gamers are used to, but it might find its audience. Would you subscribe to Onlive?

Google owns a lot of network infrastructure around the country, and now it looks like they plan to put some of it to work. On the Google blog today, the Mountain View company announced that they plan to offer “experimental” high-speed internet service in select markets. When you hear how fast, you’ll want to be in one of those markets. Google says the new service will offer speeds of around 1 gigabit per second. Just let that sink in. As for price, Google would say only that it would be “competitive”.

The search giant claims only benevolent motives in this course of action. “Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone,” Google said in the post. Google points specifically to what developers might do with nearly unlimited bandwidth as something they will watch. They also hope to gain experience in running large fiber networks. Google also promises to manage the network in open and non-discriminatory ways. Clearly, Google plans to use this opportunity to showcase how net neutrality should work.

Communities interested in being part of this grand experiment have until March 26th to submit a request for information. Google says they plan to offer the fiber service to at 50,000-500,000 individuals. Both local governments and individuals are able to nominate a community. So maybe go have a chat with your mayor after you submit your own request. How does Google provided broadband make you feel, excited or paranoid?

Maybe Verizon spokesperson Bobbi Henson thought she was being reassuring, but her recent statement to CNET actually reads like more of a veiled threat. When asked about Verizon’s ongoing handling of illegal file sharing Henson said, “We've cut some people off. We do reserve the right to discontinue service. But we don't throttle bandwidth like Comcast was doing. Verizon does not have bandwidth caps.” Well, as long as they’re not throttling, right?

Verizon seems to have confirmed that multiple warnings for illegal file sharing could result in suspension of service. This policy is very similar to the one heavily favored by the recording industry. The RIAA originally announced their intention to work with ISPs in late 2008. The partnerships seemed not to have materialized, but this may be proof that Verizon has quietly fallen in line with the RIAA.

According to Verizon, the system works much as you’d expect. Content owners troll the p2p networks capturing IP addresses. They forward those along, and Verizon sends out infringement letters. No information was given to indicate how many infringement notices a customer will receive before being cut off. They did not give any information about what a customer can do if they feel they received a notice in error. Verizon claimed repeat offenses were rare, but are they just creating craftier, harder to catch file sharers?