Google to bid on wireless spectrum
Google look set to launch their own wireless network in the United States.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Google will today announce its intention to bid for the analogue airspace that has become available in the switchover to digital.
In a widely anticipated move, the Internet search giants will be looking to snap up the 700-megahertz wireless spectrum, which will come up for auction on January 24th 2008.
By announcing their intentions Google will beat the US Federal Communications deadline of December 3rd for companies to declare their interest in participating in the bidding.
The auction is seen as a “last chance” for a new entrant to the wireless market, and successful bidders will be able to use the spectrum to compete on a more open playing field with existing networks.
Google plan on purchasing the block “C” range of the 700mhz spectrum, report the WSJ’s sources, though there are no firm details as to what shape a Google wireless service might take.
There is speculation that Google could either go it alone in operating a new wireless network, or seek to work with partners and potentially resell wireless services to others.
Earlier this year the company petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to force the winning bidder to share the spectrum with third party retailers, though the commission rejected the idea.
The FCC’s refusal of Google’s request may well have forced them to enter the bidding, but how keen they will be on sharing the spectrum should they be successful at the auction remains to be seen.
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