How would you change the outcome of the 700MHz auction?

So now that the dust is settling, winners are boasting, and Auction 73 is in the record books, it's time to take a good, hard look back on what was, what is, and what could've been. As we all now know, Verizon came away with the biggest prize -- the giant Block C that will be obligated to provide open access to any device that can technically support it -- but AT&T and Echostar partner Frontier Wireless could end up making quite a stink with their Block B and E wins, respectively. So how does everyone feel about the results? Is Verizon the proper trustee for what is likely the single most important swath of wireless broadband to hit the US auction block in the foreseeable future, or would Google have been a better choice? Should AT&T have stepped up to the plate and taken a shot at Block C, or is the lower bandwidth Block B sufficient for its needs and desires? Don't be shy now!

[Joey @ Mar 21st 2008 10:26PM]

well, Google would have won to provide free, ad-supported internet to the whole country. similar to free TV

simply put

[Aguiluz @ Mar 21st 2008 10:29PM]

That's why. I would prefer Ad-Supported, fast and free rather than being locked to hell with contracts.

[Joseph @ Mar 21st 2008 10:33PM]

no it'll all be alright

we'll get our subsidized, no-competition, insanely priced 700mhz modems

OR we can get one for free if we sell our souls to verizon.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Mar 21st 2008 11:24PM]

it's too late for Dilbert. Sold his soul already:http://news.yahoo.com/comics/080318/cx_dilbert_umedia/20081803
Sorry, just felt like it! The Dilbert fanboy I am :-)

[Adrian Williams @ Mar 22nd 2008 2:46AM]

You really want Ads on your cell phone just cause it's free let me think another internet company tryed this with free ad supported internet(Netzero)

[Joseph @ Mar 22nd 2008 2:55AM]

but this is WIRELESS internet. for laptops and such, or people who don't want to pay for premium internet.

like the same way you can get free TV with a few channels, or pay for satellite, cable, etc, for a price and get way more

where you have to normally pay $70 a month for an unlim, and much more limited data coverage as well, and that's with a 2 year contract.

free add supported country-wide internet would be great. but of course, no ads would be even better!

[Austin @ Mar 21st 2008 10:22PM]

Google would have been amazing. They are such a power player with everything they touch, that somebody like Verizon would have had to rework their whole plan, top to bottom, including service, plans, and pricing. For what many of us pay for service (have you heard what the mark up is on something like a single text?) I feel like the competition could have only helped the end consumer.

[brad @ Mar 21st 2008 10:30PM]

I agree that Google is a strong force but they had no intention of becoming a wireless provider...their Android software platform is their contribution to the wireless world ...the fact that they made the minimum bid to keep it open access shows that they want android to take off no matter what platform its on...


At the same time, as much as i love Google, I dont want them to take over the wireless industry. While ATT/Verizon/Sprint/Tmobile and all the other regional carrier may not be perfect they provide enough competition to keep it healthy and Google, im afraid, may become to powerful...yes they are great, but competition is greater

I know this site loves Google and all its holiness but Google has put MS in its place on the terms of search, online advertising and email...let them fight it out online and leave the cellular fight to the veterans

[John @ Mar 22nd 2008 1:46AM]

Is it me, or is it a little too soon to be asking how we would change the outcome of this auction? I mean, regardless of who won, no one has given any specifics as to their intentions about the C block. Verizon is going to continue to "make itself the nation's most trusted network." Whoopee. I also highly doubt that the "open" that Google was looking for is really going to happen, either. In fact, I doubt much of anything will come of this for several years.

[Clete R. Blackwell II @ Mar 22nd 2008 7:17PM]

I would have much rather had Google win it. I hate the cell phone companies with a passion and while Google is showing that it is slightly evil, they are still much less evil than all of the cell phone companies.

[roole @ Mar 22nd 2008 7:21PM]

Gee. I am sorry to rain on this party, but the only thing more scary than the unbounded (and seemingly unfounded) optimism of tech-fans and tech-writers on mobile telephony is the mobile carriers themselves.

Google? Give me a break. You've all been pwned.

PS: Go ahead, and rank this a "-". Talk -- I mean, click -- is cheap, dudes.

[Aguiluz @ Mar 21st 2008 10:22PM]

GOOGLE!

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Mar 21st 2008 11:01PM]

...TAKES OVER THE WORLD AND BECOMES THE ALMIGHTY POWER WITH IT'S SPECTRUM :P

[Zach @ Mar 21st 2008 11:37PM]

you make a google-dominated world sound terrible.

i'd prefer that over a lot these days.

[ethana2 @ Mar 22nd 2008 1:03AM]

Canonical for my OS, Jamendo and magnatune for my music, and Google for my internet connection.

Heck yes. So little evilness I think I'd explode.

[clak @ Mar 21st 2008 10:27PM]

I have a feeling that this is why Apple has been focusing almost exclusively on Wifi instead of 3G on devices like the MacBook Air. Remember the stink about the 3G modems not fitting into the ports on the MBA? Something tells me that Apple has been negotiating behind the scenes to expand AT&T's wireless services, in anticipation of this auction.

[craig @ Mar 22nd 2008 2:19AM]

"Something tells me that Apple has been negotiating behind the scenes to expand AT&T's wireless services, in anticipation of this auction."

I wonder what that could be?

I looked in this article to see who would make the topic about Apple's brilliance. I wasn't disappointed.

[ma5t3rw1tt @ Mar 21st 2008 10:29PM]

Google deserves to have won this whole thing. Google is an innovative company I love them to death. Google needs to find some way to partner up with something to make some FREE wifi.

[Jeff @ Mar 21st 2008 10:34PM]

I think AT&T should have took a leap at it because they're fallin behind with their limited 3g coverage

[Adrian Williams @ Mar 22nd 2008 2:42AM]

Att, Verizon, and T-mobile all are jumping towards LTE(true 4G)I would have thought Sprint would have went for broke and brought a chunk
/Still think the Cablecos (TWC and Comcast) will make a takeover bid for Sprint

[Virtunate @ Mar 21st 2008 10:42PM]

I don't think that Google had any intention of winning the auction in the first place. They're play on the FCC was to make it open (any apps, any hardware) and they succeeded in that (with Verizon) They achieved they're goal and now more carriers will have to open up in order to compete.

[sburko @ Mar 21st 2008 10:42PM]

I would have won.

[michas_pi @ Mar 21st 2008 11:52PM]

@David:

I did not know that hell was a homosexual.

[L4ZY @ Mar 22nd 2008 12:34AM]

I think he was referring to hell as a happy place. He was obviously pointing out that if he had won the election, he'd be "happy" as hell. :D

[monkfishbandana @ Mar 22nd 2008 7:43AM]

@ David

Says the guy who, searching through your posting history, exclaims the following:

"me me me!!"
"MINE!!!"
"Ooooh. I like I like."
"i think winning anything would be awesome."

I'll leave you to decide whether or not you just got owned. Take your time, now.

[wootman @ Mar 22nd 2008 12:40PM]

the jury concludes that he has just been owned.

[zomg0t @ Mar 21st 2008 10:44PM]

S

[mac404 @ Mar 21st 2008 10:42PM]

Hawk your stuff elsewhere...not to mention: an Optimus keyboard?

[zomg0t @ Mar 21st 2008 10:44PM]

T

[zomg0t @ Mar 21st 2008 10:44PM]

F

[zomg0t @ Mar 21st 2008 10:44PM]

U

[Aguiluz @ Mar 21st 2008 10:45PM]

WHAT?!?

...

(-1) for irrelevance... No offense.

[dizilbdog @ Mar 21st 2008 10:52PM]

I think it's sad that the Corporate Verizon who has one network and now has another. They get money by milking text messages picture messages and tethering and bluetooth and such nonsense. The cellphone communication is all ass backwards. Imagine you bought a laptop and you got home, and imagine having to pay 10cents for every instant message or 25 cents ever time you want to watch a youtube video, or hey you want to use bluetooth on your laptop uhm that will be 1.00 per hour. Verizon is not going to change it's ways with this new spectrum, and now it has and will be able to control what ever it wants, because it own it all. I wish google won it that's all I'm saying....

[mac404 @ Mar 21st 2008 10:59PM]

You really don't give up, do you?

[Christian Martin @ Mar 21st 2008 11:00PM]

Hey Olya, get hit by a bus for a laugh.

[Aguiluz @ Mar 21st 2008 11:01PM]

Okay... What is your point?

[Jay Johnson @ Mar 21st 2008 11:02PM]

This is only the beginning of the nightmares. Verizon' IT and support is that of a kindergardener. Its not going to work cause Verizon seems to destroy everything they touch.

[Dave @ Mar 21st 2008 11:02PM]

I'm not even going to bleep it. Olya fuck off, seriously, no one wants your shit.

That aside, being an ATT customer I would have liked to see T-Mobile get it. Yes, I said T-Mobile. This would have allowed T-Mo to get 3G really moving here in the USA and prices for 3G data would hit the floor. Unfortunately, aside from the open-access rule we are probably getting the long-term shaft from this deal. I used to think Comcast taking over AT&T cable here in my area of Florida was a good idea at the time, and then I realized after about 6 months, once everyone stayed with them that it was the same song-and-dance.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Mar 21st 2008 11:08PM]

I would give the general public more control over their spectrum. A larger portion of it should belong to the first responders and national guard.

[John Willaford @ Mar 21st 2008 11:14PM]

Telecom industry is my weakness in the field of technology. Did Sprint win any other auctions or is the XOHM network their 4G solution end to end including phone? I see TMobile didn't get squat either. That's an article. Can someone at Engadget do a 4G Wireless Telecom wrapup article?

[Dave @ Mar 21st 2008 11:39PM]

LOL sprints going broke...you REALLY think they are going to roll out 4G in this lifetime? Good luck. Sprint is going to get eaten up, most likely by Verizon since they currently use the same technology (CDMA/EV-DO).

[Joshua Walters @ Mar 21st 2008 11:23PM]

Not one bit.

Im a VZW customer, so Im excited about that, and Im also glad its open. Google has its fair chance at it, just like it wanted all along.

I really wouldnt change it at all.

[Jeff @ Mar 24th 2008 2:20PM]

Me too. Im curious when the open handsets will be released..

[The_Steven @ Mar 21st 2008 11:38PM]

Here's an idea.... Public Service. So that maybe any first responder could show up at a situation, give the communications officer their number, and be able to key-up any other person at the job. From front line to logistics to support to first aid to food services. But hey, what do I know?

[Andy @ Mar 22nd 2008 5:32PM]

@Dave---- I second the T-mobile advance. It would have been nice to see the little company that could(nt) step it up a notch and force the bigger companies to be more price competitive.

[WILLDOLLA @ Mar 21st 2008 11:46PM]

Republicans have crippled the US in our advancements in Technology especially in our so called “Broadband” meaning until recently 200kb/s, now the NEW standard is 768kb/s gimme a break. READ Obama’s views on technology we need a DEMOCRAT in office. Instead of spending an extra 100 bucks on gas in every household why doesn’t our GOVerment spend it on a broader scope of cables running underground in our major cities Faster internet means the Economy will boom. Instant satisfaction Like good Manga. I mean lets face it unless Obama gets the Vote were stuck at a speed which cripples our Lives. I’m Just Sayin. VOTE in November.

[Lotankee @ Mar 24th 2008 11:08AM]

I think you are on the wrong blog... I do agree people need to vote just don't peddle your Democrat nonsence here.

[z0phi3l @ Mar 23rd 2008 3:10PM]

I know this is a troll post

BUT if you think ANY Democrat will "fix" the economy then you failed Econ 101

[Brian @ Mar 22nd 2008 4:45AM]

GOOGLE SON
FREE WIRELESS COUNTRYWIDE SON
*with mad targeted advertising

[andres @ Mar 21st 2008 11:59PM]

our robot overloards would have won everything, then they would use it to stream games of doom, and in celebration, promise cake to everyone, only to have them blend all the cake.