Google still likely to bid in 700MHz spectrum auction

We know, the 700MHz soap opera is wearing a bit on us too, but just in case you were worried that the latest FCC shakeups would deter Google from coughing up $4.6+ billion when the time was right, fret not. Reportedly, Chief Executive Eric Schmidt "told a conference of regulatory and industry leaders in Aspen that his company would 'probably' move ahead with plans to bid for wireless spectrum freed up once broadcast television networks switch to digital from analog in 2009." When asked by T-Mobile USA's government relations chief Thomas Sugrue "whether Google planned to take part in the auctions for wireless broadband networks," the exec simply stated that placing a bid or two would likely be "the way to answer that." So, there you have it -- until next episode...

[Owen @ Aug 22nd 2007 9:57AM]

So what can be done with this frequency spectrum? Can someone point me to a good resource explaining what can be done with it technology wise?
cheers

[ET @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:34AM]

In email, I have had tried to bid $400 on a $1300 camera knowing that I won't win but for the sake of it, I bid.

[ET @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:34AM]

I meant ebay

[shaun @ Aug 22nd 2007 11:51AM]

@owen

I read something about them using it to give coast to coast free broadband

[roc ingersol @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:41PM]

the 700mhz band doesn't have a problem penetrating concrete and fares better with air interference. The end result should be a better signal with fewer, lower-power antennae. (though that ultimately depends on deployment.)

[Neeko @ Aug 22nd 2007 12:55PM]

Just think of the possibility of a:

1.GOOGLE phone service..FREE or a small charge paid by ADVERTISING revenue... Imagine a Iphone like device that has unlimited internet but with the occasioanl ADVERTISEMENTS for products you sign up for when u start the service.

2.GOOGLE INTERNET SERVICE also paid for with ADVERTISING REVENUE. this service would be used across the country..


GOOGLE WILL NOW BE KNOWN AS THE "UMBRELLA CORPORATION"... MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON ALL OUR SOULS..

[Eric @ Aug 22nd 2007 7:18PM]

As long as I can put AdBlock+ on my cell phone, no problem!

[Ravi @ Aug 22nd 2007 1:07PM]

Google will sadly become as big (maybe it already is?) as Microsoft and bigger...then it will be the "new microsoft". I hope their we-wont-become-evil-corporation ideals hold true through time.

But in the mean time i welcome their free services with little advertising. Here's a question i always had, google makes it a point to have their Ads unnoticeable or rather barely noticeable to the user, then how do they get so many clicks and clients?

[P* @ Aug 22nd 2007 5:31PM]

They shouldn't have bought YouTube & DoubleClick but rather saved up the cash for this. Why oh why didn't they think of that :-(