Google has issued a statement that it would be willing to bid a minimum of $4.6 billion in the upcoming wireless spectrum auction, if the FCC meets certain conditions.

The list of conditions is as follows:

• Open applications: Consumers should be able to download and utilize any software applications, content, or services they desire;
• Open devices: Consumers should be able to utilize a handheld communications device with whatever wireless network they prefer;
• Open services: Third parties (resellers) should be able to acquire wireless services from a 700 MHz licensee on a wholesale basis, based on reasonably nondiscriminatory commercial terms; and
• Open networks: Third parties (like internet service providers) should be able to interconnect at any technically feasible point in a 700 MHz licensee’s wireless network.

All four points are very consumer friendly, but there is no question that Google, if successful, will be bringing its advertising to an even broader audience.  Consumers, used to seeing the omnipresent Google ads, probably will not blink an eye if it means more freedom with their wireless handsets.

How Google would interact with the 700 MHz spectrum is unclear as of yet, and no word has been heard from the FCC as to its reaction to the list of terms.

With the news yesterday that Google had missed the Wall Street projections for second quarter earnings, people speculated that maybe the juggernaut was finally showing some chips in its paint, but one day later $4.6 billion is being waved around without a care.  As of this writing, Google stock was down 32 points in the morning session.

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Entry was posted on Friday, July 20th, 2007 at 8:03 am under Google.

Read more entries by Sean P. Aune.
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