Google has semi announced that they will bid for the 700Mhz Spectrum in the USA as it comes free from TV broadcasters.
“Our goal is to make sure that American consumers have more choices in an open and competitive wireless world,” reads a statement from the company. “We have already made great progress in achieving this outcome and expect more progress in the future. FCC rules require us to reveal our plans by December 3, and we fully intend to do so. In the meantime, we are making all the necessary preparations to become an applicant to bid in the auction.”
Any new business model for cellular in my books is very welcome. As I have previously blogged I think that Google has the potential to destroy (or put a significant dent in) the prepaid phone market (which is a boon doggle for the carriers). Anytime that consumer interest and corporate self interest become congruent I have no problem with. The traditional model of bidding on spectrum and paying a premium to be the gatekeeper may on the face of it look like in the public best interest but this model is well served. It is time that another open access model be allowed to succeed or fail on it’s merits and so Google should be given credit to try this model. I would also like to see others like Apple, IBM, Yahoo participate to build a truly open wireless internet model. Only time will tell…
