In our continuing effort to console big companies for a major loss or two on their part today, we must say: sorry, Google. It turns out Verizon and AT&T have more money you, but that’s OK because you’re (supposedly) releasing the Google phone. Sadly, this means no “free” cell-phone service as Verizon and AT&T now own the wave spectrum Google (supposedly) wanted for its mobile network, which means the two companies are going to invest billions and billions in vamping up the 700MHz spectrum for mobile use.

Though it’s unknown how much Google really bid, the company told the FCC last July it would be willing to bid a minimum of $4.6 billion. The auction, which ended Tuesday, left Verizon with the highly-coveted C-block of the 700MHz pie, but it cost the wireless carrier $4.74 billion. AT&T bagged 227 licenses from the B-block of the 700MHz spectrum.

With the spectrum in their pockets, it would seem Verizon and AT&T are in a great place — with the new licenses, the companies will likely enhance their wireless networks to 4G, allowing Verizon to finally implement LTE or Long-Term Evolution, an advanced wireless network unlike what’s available today from American carriers.

It’s possible Google never had any intention of actually winning the auction. It’s unknown why Google would go through the trouble of upping the price of the spectrum, but money and politics (in this theory) would point to nice kickback from Verizon for purposely losing. Let’s get real folks, Google isn’t a cell-phone carrier.

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Related:

Google says it will bid in 700MHz wireless spectrum auction

FCC announces potential bidders for 700MHz band auction

NTT DoCoMo may be entering in to the 700MHz wireless auction

Verizon files Federal Case papers against FCC 700MHz auction

Rumors abound that Google is looking to purchase Skype

Stumble It!

Entry was posted on Thursday, March 20th, 2008 at 8:56 pm under Google, Mobile phones, Opinion, Technology.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Danny Mendez.