Google to Join Spectrum Auction

GOOGLE TO JOIN SPECTRUM AUCTION
[SOURCE: New York Times 12/1, AUTHOR: Brad Stone]
Seeking to shake up the wireless industry, Google said Friday that it was preparing to take part in the federal government’s auction of radio frequencies that could be used to deliver the next generation of Internet and mobile phone services to consumers. Google said it would file its application on Monday to bid on the valuable 700-megahertz spectrum, which is being vacated by television networks as they convert their signals to digital. The formal bidding process is scheduled to begin on Jan. 24. Google has said it will bid for the so-called C Block of the auction, which it could use to offer nationwide wireless broadband service that competes with digital subscriber line service and cable Internet access. Other bidders are expected to file their intentions with the Federal Communications Commission on Monday. Both AT&T and Verizon Wireless have indicated that they will also bid on the spectrum. Industry analysts also expect major cable operators to bid for some of the smaller pieces of the spectrum. Whoever wins, the auction is expected to usher in a new wave of flexible wireless computing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/technology/01google.html?ref=todayspaper
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* Google to bid for U.S. mobile airwaves
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN3029570020071130

* Google's Goals in Spectrum Race Remain Obscure
With the winning bidder obligated to offer an open network that will support the myriad wireless plans of Google, why would the search and advertising giant want to become a wireless carrier?
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2225816,00.asp