Google will change this industry forever

Now that Google has officially announced that it will bid on the 700MHz spectrum, most of us are speculating about the possibilities. And while I have my own beliefs about where Google will go with the spectrum, I'm sure many of you have your own.

But regardless of where you stand on this issue, one thing remains certain: the future of the technology industry is currently being shaped by high-paid Google lawyers and accountants who are working out the details of this auction.

Simply put, we're on the precipice of something groundbreaking that will change this industry forever. Whether it will be good or bad is unknown, but regardless of the long-term effect, Google has its sights firmly planted on this 700MHz spectrum and if you ask me, we won't even know what hit us.

The cell phone scenario
As you are probably aware, I'm a firm believer that the major reason for Google getting into this auction is to capitalize on the spectrum's unique ability to travel through walls and buildings all over the country. And along those lines, there is no reason to suggest that this wireless spectrum can't be used with cell phones.

Here's the scenario: Google scoops up the 700MHz spectrum and works on it for (as most experts claim) about the next five years. During that time, the company continues to promote Android and bring more cell phone companies on board.

Next, the company will secretly tell the manufacturers that it's working on a new platform that will allow any Wi-Fi-equipped cell phone to connect to Google's Wi-Fi platform and make phone calls through VoIP.

After that, it'll announce that Apple and Google have partnered to create an iPhone designed specifically for the Google spectrum, and immediately the other manufacturers will jump on board so as to not be left behind.

Totally unbelievable? Think again: Apple and Google are incredibly close (Eric Schmidt sits on Apple's board of directors) and Google has always wanted to find a way to take down the companies who have attempted to block its opportunity to bid on this spectrum--cell phone carriers. Also, did you notice that Verizon Wireless has not signed on to Android? I certainly don't think that's a coincidence.

In my mind, the future of the cell phone industry is in doubt. And to make matters worse, current cell phone carriers have no way idea what consumers want and are practically asking us to get up and go. I think Google will be the reason we finally do.

My prediction: Google destroys the cell phone industry as we know it today.

The free Wi-Fi scenario
Now that we know the 700MHz spectrum is easily the most viable solution to getting free Wi-Fi all over the country, why wouldn't Google offer it to us for free? After all, doesn't it fit well within its strategy as a company that promises that it won't "be evil" and currently offers its solutions for free when supported by advertisements?

In fact, I would go so far as to say that Google will not only offer free Wi-Fi, you might be accessing it before you know it. And if that's true, what would that mean to your current access to the Internet? Would it mean that current ISPs may have a serious problem on their hands? You better believe it.

A free Wi-Fi solution would change the current state of this industry more than we can calculate. Instead of creating devices that have an Ethernet port, each and every product will surely offer a wireless solution. And most of the products that currently do not connect via Wi-Fi to your home network (HDTVs, for example) will probably add that functionality in no time.

Can you imagine an industry where almost every single device is created for the sole purpose of working on a Google platform? Sure, it may be difficult to fathom at this point, but did anyone actually believe most devices would be made to work with Windows?

Google is well on its way to creating a groundbreaking solution that could catapult the technology industry ahead. And while some may believe the search giant will not be able to do anything of the sort, I'm not so cynical. Judging by the company's track record and its immense success in most of its projects, I can't believe it won't find a way to revolutionize the entire industry.

[vaylen]

It's a great plan but it won't happen. Google doesn't need to create this great wi-fi network. It's much easier to adapt to whatever network is built by others and much cheaper. Google sell advertising just like the networks and they don't make tv sets. We are decades away from this "network" that connects everything. It's called the "Twinkie" factor. It's about all those people who can't set the blinking clock on some appliance. The dream's alive, just still a dream.

[vaylen]

It's really not a plan, "fairy tale" would be a better choice of words.

[iphonesbiz]

Really Who Ever Wrote This Should Really look at the Cell Phone Industry as a whole. I find it hard to beleive that compnies such as at&t, sprint, Verizon, Alltel and t-mobile will sit by and let google erode the value that these companies provide. Companies such as at&t and verizon have been around for more the 15 years and have spent billions of dollars on building their networks out and maintaining it. Google has long way to go to build a network that would even come close to t-mobile which is the smallest of the national carriers. Google may have to spend countless of billions of dollars to even come close to providing phone service. Then they will have to incure countless of expenses in the process. I don't see this happening anytime soon. Google is company that will keep you guessing on what it may or may not do with this spectrum. But one thing is certain they are not going to be a WIRELESS CARRIER. This i dont see happening. In many ways they will follow the footsteps of many great companies who screw up and dive into somthing that they really have no business being in. GOOGLE IS AFTER ADVERTISING AND THATS IT.. ANDROID IS JUST THE STEPING STONE FOR ALL THIS.. GOOGLE WILL SOMEHOW GET PEOPLE TO ADVERTISE ON CELL PHONES AND WHAT NOT..

[emil serban]

Google has ig going on... that's for sure. The future, however, it's depending on many more factors and I'm sure that Google will made-up their approach as they go along. The "do no evil" mantra will be something they will consider too, which is why they may not act as you mentioned but will try their hardest to approach the communication conundrum differently and exploit all the benefits that would come with it...

[iphonesbiz]

its like i said before in order for google to make any kind of impact on the wireless industry as a whole it really has to build its own network from the ground up and i just don't see that happening in the near term. Google would literaly have to spend untolds amount of billions of dollars to create a customer service call center and going to each and every metropolitin city and establishing towers in an already saturated market. City's wont be so eager to approve permits to build more towers on roof tops and highways and mountains like before. It's Just too much of eye sore for most people. This is why im saying Google is not Getting into the traditional wireless business. I see them building an advertising network that will allow companies to partner up with google and share the revenue stream. Again, i don't see what sort of value google will attempt to bring to the table. Mind You Att already has a tight relationship with Yahoo and verizon is not company known to be freindly towards it's competitors. All i can say is that Google has an uphill battle if indeed it intends to become a carrier with spotty coverage. Again i doubt they will go down that road..Google is after advertising dollars and that is the main goal. If there goal is to drive down cost of air time bills it might do so by sharing it's advertising revenue with carriers. But who knows the possiblities here. As usal google is hush hush on this and i assume they will be untill who knows when...

[geo11101]

Eric Schmidt is the biggest Mafia puppet in the US. He is bad news for apple users. http://endmafia.com