Verizon Bags Majority Of 700 MHz Spectrum, Google And Consumers Smile

In the recently concluded FCC’s auction of its 700 MHz spectrum, Verizon has won highest number of licenses and also the much talked about C-Block of spectrum.  The main focus of this entire aution was the C-Block of spectrum which will provide consumers the ability to use any wireless device and application on the network.

Another highlight of the auction process was Google’s $4.6 billion bid for the spectrum which triggered lots of discussions and speculations in the blogosphere.  So, everyone started speculating about Google introducing GPhone, rolling out a wireless service itself and easing the spectrum to an existing player.  But, it seems that Google was not playing to win.  The $4.6 billion bid placed by Google was to open gates for the open network rules which will allow its mobile applications and Android phones to operate.  So, it is quite clear that Google didn’t bid to win but to create a sandbox for developers to build mobile applications.  Verizon, which in the past was not in favor of open networks, now seems to be beating the drums of openness and why not, it does not have any other choice.  It is still not clear how much openness it will provide and by when?

Irrespective of who owns the network, it is a victory for consumers who will have more freedom in choosing the devices and applications that they wish to use and of course Google has also won.

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Posted by Vikrant on Mar 21 2008. Filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry