Google bidding billions on wireless spectrum on condition they remain open

[Andres Kello]

Google is willing to pony up $4.6 billion to buy a slice of wireless spectrum being auctioned off by the FCC on condition that the spectrum remain fully open so that carriers don't limit access to the mobile internet.

This could be very big if Google gets its way: Fully unconstrained mobile internet access.

http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2007/07/20/google_fcc/

[Scandiman]

Yes indeed, it could really change things in the US. I wonder just how fast things could be up and running after the auctions in January. Probably a few years at least I'm guessing.

[Michael]

Google is willing to pony up $4.6 billion to buy a slice of wireless spectrum being auctioned off by the FCC on condition that the spectrum remain fully open so that carriers don't limit access to the mobile internet.

This could be very big if Google gets its way: Fully unconstrained mobile internet access.

http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2007/07/20/google_fcc/

WOW.

Andres, thank you for the fantastic article.

I hope Google wins the January auction and catapults themselves to the front of the wireless marketplace. Transparency, choice and openness would rule the day. FCC, tear down these wireless walls!

Evidently, I've read online, there are also rumblings that Google is developing a mobile phone, code named "Switch"....it will be fun to watch events unfold.

Michael

[capt. ahab]

Great article Andres.
Money talks and Google has boatloads of it. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Go Google !

[noonoo1]

Switch phone looks great!:biggrin::biggrin:

[texasgamer]

Feb 17, 2009 - The date "over the air" analog television signals will be turned off. This remaining spectrum is to be auctioned to companies interested in deploying wireless technologies.

Google wants to buy up the 700mhz wireless spectrum that will be auctioned off by the federal government.

This 700mhz wireless spectrum is perfect for a fast broadband connection, and can reach just about anywhere.

Google has stated that they want to open up applications for end users. They want an open wireless intenet.

I can see it already, a FREE cellphone from Google with FREE internet, FREE phone calls, and real FREEDOM of choice to choose whatever apps or services you want!

Does anyone else really see the huge implications of all this? Google could easily leapfrog to the top of many different markets. Wireless internet, telephone, cellphone, mobile internet, mobile advertising.
Why buy a phone or pay for phone contracts or internet when its free?
And how is google paying for all this? Simple - ads! Ads that will be served up on the very mobi pages we are building!
Google being an investor of dot mobi may be one more ACE up their proverbial sleeve.

The Google team is probably the most smartest visionaries of our time. I think they have big plans, they know what they are doing and .mobi is part of it. I think those of us who have invested in mobi names, and those of us who have developed useful sites will ride the coattails of Googles success! I predict 2009 is going to be our year!

[Scandiman]

I predict 2009 is going to be our year!I'm thinking we'll get hints of it in '08 as the mobile ad sense kicks in.

[dentalpro]

Feb 17, 2009 - The date "over the air" analog television signals will be turned off. This remaining spectrum is to be auctioned to companies interested in deploying wireless technologies.

Google wants to buy up the 700mhz wireless spectrum that will be auctioned off by the federal government.

This 700mhz wireless spectrum is perfect for a fast broadband connection, and can reach just about anywhere.

Google has stated that they want to open up applications for end users. They want an open wireless intenet.

I can see it already, a FREE cellphone from Google with FREE internet, FREE phone calls, and real FREEDOM of choice to choose whatever apps or services you want!

Does anyone else really see the huge implications of all this? Google could easily leapfrog to the top of many different markets. Wireless internet, telephone, cellphone, mobile internet, mobile advertising.
Why buy a phone or pay for phone contracts or internet when its free?
And how is google paying for all this? Simple - ads! Ads that will be served up on the very mobi pages we are building!
Google being an investor of dot mobi may be one more ACE up their proverbial sleeve.

The Google team is probably the most smartest visionaries of our time. I think they have big plans, they know what they are doing and .mobi is part of it. I think those of us who have invested in mobi names, and those of us who have developed useful sites will ride the coattails of Googles success! I predict 2009 is going to be our year!


you could be right on with this...they seem to be putting all the pieces together...if we develope .mobis now we will be sitting on top of many if not most (mobile) search results pages by then

[Andres Kello]

A few more interesting articles on this:

http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/07/20/amid-spectrum-google-becomes-the-white-knight

http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/07/23/google-fear-hits-at-t-square-in-the-jaw

[hedgefund]

yes, it is about time to open up the walled gardens.