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August 21, 2007 8:52 PM PDT

Google 'probably' to bid for 700MHz spectrum

by Declan McCullagh

ASPEN, Colo.--Google is "probably" going to submit a $4.6 billion bid for a prime chunk of wireless spectrum, its chief executive said Tuesday evening.

Eric Schmidt told a dinner audience at the Progress and Freedom Foundation's Aspen Summit that "it's highly likely that when we get to that point we will see the regulatory framework that is conducive to the bid (we wanted) to make."

In response to a question from a T-Mobile representative, he added: "probably is the answer to that."

The Federal Communications Commission recently announced details about how the 700MHz spectrum auction will be handled, and has asked for public comment on some of the details.

Google had lobbied the FCC for open access requirements--some of which were granted, and all of which were opposed by major telecommunications providers.

Declan McCullagh, CNET News' chief political correspondent, chronicles the intersection of politics and technology. He has covered politics, technology, and Washington, D.C., for more than a decade, which has turned him into an iconoclast and a skeptic of anyone who says, "We oughta have a new federal law against this." E-mail Declan.
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Googles Bid
by Renegade Knight August 22, 2007 7:16 AM PDT
Given the service I get from other carries, I'd love to see what Googles got in the works. Good luck.
Reply to this comment
it's not the service...
by xcopy August 22, 2007 8:21 AM PDT
it's the leverage. I haven't read the current statements, but one of the things Google wants to do is "open up" the airwaves. Of course Verizon, AT&T, et. al. want to keep you locked down so they can screw you every month. Cellular service is a cash cow.

I just hope that Google comes through with it and whacks these guys upside the head. I'd even put up with a little bad service to poke the other carriers in the eye. competition is good; let's hope Google maintains an egalitarian implementation if they really get in the game.
Google
by spothannah August 22, 2007 8:28 AM PDT
Why don't they want open access? I agree good luck to Google.
Advertising Based Wifi and VIOP...
by dhtechs August 22, 2007 10:34 AM PDT
Even if the Google bid does not pan out, just think of the possibilities. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile--Watchout..they are comming for YOU!
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