It appears that it is not only Google that wants in to the wireless game, but Asian carriers are eyeing it also.

According to a report in The Inquirer, four of the biggest Asian mobile carriers are eyeing the upcoming 700MHz auction the FCC is holding in 2008.  None of the participants in the auction are allowed to discuss details between now and the end of the auction, but some rumors indicate that NTT DoCoMo is prepared to go to $5 billion.

Why would the Asian carriers be so interested in picking this frequency up?  The average American customer is currently paying $10 a month for data plans, but by 2012 that is expected to rise to as much as $38 a month as we add more services.  The Asian carriers are already heavy experienced in this field, and charging far less in those countries.  The companies will be able to bring over the technology that has already been developed and charge more over here, recouping more of the development costs.

As the auction is a silent one, there is no way of predicting which company will end up winning, but which ever one it is, it should prove to be interesting for the consumer.

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Entry was posted on Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 at 2:09 am under Cell phones, Opinion.

Read more entries by Sean P. Aune.
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