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Google Bidding To Enter Wireless Business

by Terrence O'Brien on November 30, 2007 at 03:33 PM

Google Attempting to Enter the Wireless BusinessThe rumors have been circulating for months now, and this morning Google announced that it has applied to take part in the auction of wireless bandwidth freed up by the FCC. Considering its furious lobbying for open access requirements, it would be sort of bizarre if Google sat this one out.

Following broadcast television's switch to digital, a large chunk of wireless spectrum was opened up and is set to be auctioned off by the FCC. Google and others view this as an opportunity for another player to enter the wireless provider market. Google won many concessions from the FCC on the wireless spectrum, including the requirement that the winning bidder allow any device to be used on the spectrum and that there be no restriction on the type of software or data used on the new network.

Google is expected to face steep competition from Verizon and AT&T for a chunk of the newly open wireless spectrum. What exactly Google plans to do with the spectrum is unknown. Google could build out their own cell phone and data network and try to compete directly with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, which would pair quite nicely with its new mobile OS initiative, Android. Or, Google could simply serve as a wholesale provider, selling spectrum to other companies to provide service and devices to consumers.

We won't hear much else from Google or anyone else about the auction, as the rules limit the amount and type of information that can be shared until the auction is complete -- which could be as late as March of 2008. If you just have to know, you can follow any available public information at this FCC website.

From the Official Google Blog

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Tags: auction, cell phone, CellPhone, fcc, google, government, mobile, wireless

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