As an avid Google watcher, it’s always interesting to note what the search giant might do next and what the implications might be. Om Malik notes that Google is now making its own high speed network switches. Why would they want to do that?

It is clear that Google has decided that for long term success infrastructure is a competitive advantage. It is also clear, based on this and other moves, that Google uses commodity hardware and open source software to a point. When it comes to gaining a leg up, they do their own thing, often on top of existing technology.

Will these investments pay off in the long run? Only time will tell, but my bias is towards companies that have a solid foundation, especially one that is a competitive advantage. My money is on Google. Now they have to figure out how to go beyond search and advertising and take advantage of this competitive advantage.

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