Google to go for it in US spectrum auction

Rating: let the games begin

So after all the commotion and uncertainty, Google has thrown its hat into the ring. The Federal Communications Commission’s auction for 700MHz spectrum will take place in January 2008.

It’s unlikely that Google really wants to be a network operator, rather it was the only way it could see of opening up the US networks for its apps, without having to rely on the operators’ cooperation. Even without entering the auction, the pressure it applied seems to have had the desired effect, with Verizon saying it is to open its networks up to all certified handsets in 2009 and Sprint has been edging towards openness for some time.

Clearly Google intends to keep the pressure on by bidding for spectrum and it certainly has deep enough pockets to create a place for Android to play. Perhaps we’re going to witness a re-run of the stupidity that gripped European operators when 3G spectrum was auctioned - the fools all bid much too much and five or more years later haven’t made a sous from their investment. Maybe Google will end up buying the one that overspends most – now there’s a thought.

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