Google’s $4.6 billion FCC ultimatum
p2pnet news | WiFi:- Google says it’ll spend up to $4.6 billion to buy wireless airwaves in an upcoming auction. But only if the US government does what Google wants.
It’s sent a letter to the US Federal Communications Commission saying the FCC would have two rule that consumers would be able to use any wireless device on any company’s network,” says The Street.
But, “The telcos who run the big existing networks oppose this concept.”
Google is, “very interested in the 700MHz air waves, which are being vacated by analog UHF TV broadcasters who have been forced to move to digital signals,” says the story. “The newly available spectrum offers a prime swath of wireless real estate where the frequencies are particularly conducive to data transmission and can travel through walls.”
FCC auction rules, “will determine how the auction of radio spectrum to commercial wireless broadband operators, which, according to an official estimate, could raise as much as $20 billion, [our emphasis] will proceed early next year,” said Dow Jones Newswires recently.
FCC chairman Kevin Martin last week previewed draft rules for the auction that did not include this so-called wholesale provision, says Associated Press.
In the letter, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said, “In short, when Americans can use the software and handsets of their choice, over open and competitive networks, they win.”
But, the story has AT&T’s Jim Cicconi declaring, Martin’s proposal was an “interesting and creative balance” that wouldn’t change the business models of AT&T and others.
Google would now have to “put up or shut up.”
Also See:
The Street – Google’s Gargantuan Wireless Bid Puts FCC on the Spot, July 20, 2007
Dow Jones Newswires – FCC rules may be big win for Google, July 11, 2007
Associated Press – Google commits $4.6 billion to bid on wireless airwaves, July 20, 2007
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July 22nd, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Who wrote this (try real hard)?
It’s sent a letter to the US Federal Communications Commission saying the FCC would have two rule that consumers would be able to use any wireless device on any company’s network,” says The Street.