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Up the Ante to 4.6 Billion for the Open Mobile Web!

Well, if Kevin Martin and the FCC accept all of Google's four conditions for open mobile networks on the 700 MHz C-block, Eric Schmidt says the Googleplex will allocate a whopping $4.6 billion to bid on the spectrum when it goes up for auction in about 6 months.  That's a serious commitment, with serious implications - and you know what - it's the type of seriousness we need to get the mobile Web going.  Friends and I have been discussing walled gardens recently after hours, and everyone in the ecosystem is tired, frustrated, and sick of the brownnose stink that must be endured just to get an app deployed.  It's time for that to change, so regardless if Google actually wins this fight, a point has been made, and this time it's by someone that can actually change the playing field. 

Posted on Fri, July 20, 2007 at 8:55AM by Registered CommenterJonathan Spinney in , | Comments2 Comments

Reader Comments (2)

I still don't think Google fully appreciates the complexities of running a nationwide wireless network. The level of investment required beyond spectrum acquisition is pretty heavy (not to mention subscriber acquisition and care costs). Assume they are pushing the unsubsidized device world. Wireless broadband services in the US is pretty reasonably priced given the amount carriers invest every year for capex. Europe is much more device centric and less carrier controlled. However you have not seen that much more innovation in the mobile web (majority of mobile content revenues still flow to and from the carriers, except for the UK). It does hint at how important Google sees mobile in their future strategy. Big investments ahead.

Something that I have not seen suggested is the FCC offering some of the 700MHz as unlicensed spectrum. That would show clear commitment to sponsoring open standards, networks and devices. Of course would need to specify emissions rules and listen before talk rules. WiFi has been extremely successful as a local wireless broadband technology. How about WiMAX in unlicensed 700MHz spectrum? No strong QoS guarantees, but would be very interesting to see what the competitive markets came up with ...
07-20-2007 | Unregistered Commenterecarr
Google's investment in Ubiquisys, a femtocell device provider, in combination with the 700MHz bidding posturing hints Google's mobile play could be much more subtle than I initially commented about. With femtocells, Google could cost effectively deploy a local cellular overlay network. This would allow Google to provide service coverage in the highest data traffic mobile locations today (in-building and in-home). They could then partner / wholesale with a wireless provider to provide broader network coverage and seamless handoffs from Google's local overlay femtocells to the carrier partner's 2.5G/3G network. To be successful, Google would need cooperation with at least one of the major network operators. But partnering and paying a few $B would be much cheaper than trying to build out a nationwide 3G/4G network. Google is going to be fun to watch in mobile (apps + network sides) for the next few years! (lets watch to see how far beyond search they get)

http://www.wirelessweek.com/Google_Invests_Femtocell.aspx
07-20-2007 | Unregistered Commenterecarr

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