As US Internet companies expand worldwide, being un-American can be key to success

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By ANICK JESDANUN | AP Internet Writer
July 28, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) _ AOL splashes images of Bollywood celebrities on its new home page for India. MySpace accepts sign-ups from mobile phones in Japan. Google departs from its customarily spartan home page and peppers its Korean site with colorful, animated icons.

As major U.S. Internet companies stake their ground abroad in anticipation of the next billion people coming online — and the advertising revenue they might generate — the flags they are planting aren't the Stars and Stripes.

Companies are trying to expand globally without seeming to, designing market-specific services with customized features that reflect differences in connection speeds, payment options and attitudes toward sex or violence.

The stakes are high as the United States faces a weakening economy and a slowing of online ad growth.

Odd, in the U.S., Internet providers are seeking To Curb Traffic on the Internet, Access Providers Consider Charging by the Gigabyte to some of the world's SLOWEST Internet service.

I guess if U.S. Internet providers restrict enough U.S. customers they will have enough resources available to 'expand' worldwide. And, its amazing how U.S. businesses continues to justify ripping off the American public citing the twin economic cancers, 'growth' and 'expansion'.