Google is preparing to bid up to $4.6 billion on its own in the upcoming FCC spectrum auction, according to The Wall Street Journal, is a move that could position the company as a self-standing, national wireless operator. Though the company lacks experience in operating a carrier-grade network, it is running a prototype network on its campus in Mountain View, California.
http://www.wsj.com
- In July 2007, Google declared its intention to bid in the upcoming auction for 700 MHz spectrum if the FCC adopts a framework requiring greater competition and consumer choice. Google outlined four criteria that it believes should be cornerstones of FCC policy regardless of who wins the spectrum at auction. Specifically, Google encouraged the FCC to require the adoption of four types of “open” platforms as part of the license conditions:
* Open applications: Consumers should be able to download and utilize any software applications, content, or services they desire;
* Open devices: Consumers should be able to utilize a handheld communications device with whatever wireless network they prefer;
* Open services: Third parties (resellers) should be able to acquire wireless services from a 700 MHz licensee on a wholesale basis, based on reasonably nondiscriminatory commercial terms; and
* Open networks: Third parties (like internet service providers) should be able to interconnect at any technically feasible point in a 700 MHz licensee’s wireless network.
- Sprint and Google have also previously announced an alliance focused on broadband mobile apps.