The FCC-imposed period of silence following the spectrum auction has finally been lifted, and Google is talking.
As we suggested when news about the auction results broke, Google is very happy with the outcome despite not winning a single piece of the 700 Mhz spectrum. Why are they so happy? The company believes its actions both leading up to and during the spectrum auction helped consumers and the industry as a whole.
“Partly as a result of our bidding, consumers soon should have new freedom to get the most out of their mobile phones and other wireless devices.” Which I read as: Android, coming soon.
Interestingly, Google says that it was willing to go “somewhat higher” than the $4.6 billion set reserve price for the “C block” of the spectrum, and in fact claims it was the leading bidder for “many days.”
Just because the auction is now over with Verizon having won the C block, don’t think Google is going to sit back and watch what Verizon does with it:
“The end of the auction certainly doesn’t mark the end of our efforts toward greater wireless choice and innovation. We will weigh in at the FCC as it sets implementation rules for the C Block, and determines how to move forward with a D Block re-auction.”
Google closes out the post with a mention of the TV spectrum “white space”, which may be even more important to the company than this auction was (our coverage).
[photo: flickr/Indigo Goat]
4 Comments
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Marc Fawzi said:
I believe that what Google has done in this case is good for consumers and the industry. I don’t think they’re getting enough credit for it.
Open Social is another good initiative that they should get more credit for.
It’s interesting to see that when faced with overwhelming competition they end up doing what’s good for everyone. And where they have an overwhelming monopoly they aggressively consolidate their hold on the market (and the user.)
Sort of like Apple.
I’m very interested to see how they would compete against Apple in the mobile business. It maybe that they’re promoting Android to get Jobs to fully open up the iPhone to 3rd party development.
After all, what business do they have with mobile phones? They’d happily leave that to Apple, IMO, if Apple would open up their SDK and distribution model.
;-)
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MG Siegler said:
@marc - the android/iphone relationship/rivalry could be very interesting. especially given the whole eric schmidt connections (google’s ceo, on apple’s board).
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稅務貸款 said:
Interesting to see that when faced with overwhelming competition they end up doing what’s good for everyone.
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MG Siegler said:
Yeah, funny how that worked out.
