Posted on 07/20/2007 2:50:50 PM PDT by HAL9000
Google has made it officially clear that they are committed to making their wireless spectrum proposal win the FCC decision.Google said they would bid $4.6 billion for the 700 megahertz band wireless spectrum, if the FCC approved their proposal. Why? Google said they want to put their money where their "principles are," by making a bid at "giving abundant access to this rich resource" on "a global scale." More coverage at Techmeme.
Postscript from Greg: A larger context in which to see this is net neutrality. Google is clearly interested in expanding its mobile services and this undoubtedly reflects that ambition but it's also a hedge against non-net neutrality. Google could potentially build out a broader wifi network for general Internet access, using the spectrum licenses, which Google currently provides in Mountain View, California.
(Excerpt) Read more at searchengineland.com ...
Why? Duh! To put $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in algore's coffers....
Two questions come to mind:
1. I wasn’t aware that the radio frequency spectrum was up for sale.
2. 700 mhz is in the UHF band... line of sight communications (It’s not a “global” radio frequency band)
I must be missing something.
Given the totally ridiculous prices commanded by cellular companies for non-wi-fi internet, (usually $80 a month and up), I welcome any competition in this segment.
I believe Google is an evil company. But so are the Telecoms, ATT etc.
The Telecoms are trying to stifle competition and are so far pretty successful. The U.S. has very low penetration of high speed internet compared to other less wealthy or advanced countries.
Maybe Google can scare them a bit.
The 700mhz band has line of sight characteristics similar to the higher frequency bands currently used for mobile phones, but its ability to penetrate walls and dense foliage is superior to the shorter wavelength bands.
Google's interest in the spectrum is a positive development. I'm tired of having to hack each new phone I buy to reenable features the carrier has disabled. It's time for the internet to be available everywhere and carry voice as well as data.
What kind of things can you enable?
Stuff like transferring files between the phone and your computer via Bluetooth. That allows you to upload your own ringtones instead of buying them from the carrier. Or download pictures you took with the phone's camera instead of emailing them under the carrier's picture message "plan". Annoying nickle and diming instead of one price for one pipe you can use however you want, like the internet (which seems to be what Google has in mind).
Another bigger one is enabling your phone to be used as a "tethered" modem. If you have their $5 mobile web feature, that allows you to use your laptop in the park, and the carrier can't tell the difference — it's just minutes of usage (MOU). They, of course, want you to buy their special $60/month data plan along with a separate card to stick in your laptop.
VERY Interesting!
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