Google pursues power in Washington

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Political observers say Google is taking aim at Washington to earn support for network neutrality and expanded high-speed Internet access.

Google employees contributed heavily to Barack Obama's campaign for president and Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt served on Obama's transition team.

While Obama has vowed, in general, that his administration will not play favorites, Google is certain to become a power player, the Los Angeles Times concluded Saturday.

Obama shares the Internet giant's interest in expanding high-speed Internet access so people can use Web services more often. Obama also shares Google's interest in network neutrality: banning telecommunication companies from charging Web sites for faster delivery of their content, the Times reported.

While Google is in a strong position to advance its agenda, so is rival Microsoft, another top Obama contributor and an old hand at besting its competition, said Gigi Sohn, president of Public Knowledge, a digital rights group.

"There are people on the opposite side of what Google wants who can pick up the phone too," Sohn said.