Google Set to Bid $4.6 Billion for Airwaves

Nrbelex writes "The Associated Press is reporting that Google has offered to bid at least $4.6 billion on wireless airwaves being auctioned off by the federal government, as long as certain conditions are met. 'The Internet search company wants the Federal Communications Commission to mandate that any winners lease a certain portion of the airwaves to other companies seeking to offer high-speed Internet and other services. Such a provision, Google argues, will give consumers — who traditionally get high-speed Internet access via cable or telephone lines — a third option for service.'" We discussed AT&T's objection to Google's acquisition of these airwaves last week; this article would seem to confirm Ma Bell's worst fears.

Comments

Et Tu, Google, mon dieu

[Anonymous Coward]

So are all of you Slashdotters who rallied behind the "do no evil" mantra going to apologize to all of us now? I told you Google was trouble from the very start. This is complete confirmation of that. Not to say I told you so, but I told you so.

Re:Et Tu, Google, mon dieu

[MillionthMonkey]

I told you Google was trouble from the very start. This is complete confirmation of that.

Liar! No AC has ever said such a stupid thing.

Isn't it great

[neoform]

I love you how can buy segments of the light spectrum like that.

you think if I offered the FCC $50 they'd sell me the blue?

Re:Isn't it great

[louks]

you think if I offered the FCC $50 they'd sell me the blue? Oh, that's not the FCC, That's http://www.pantone.com/.

here we go again

[The Clockwork Troll]

Well, there goes their Q3 earnings, too.

Re:I welcome our google overlords

[R2.0]

"penetrate in places unthinkable until now, with power that would make you shiver."

Poetry. Sheer poetry.

I can't wate to use that phrase on my wife.

Re:I welcome our google overlords

[phreaki]

I'm a filthy erotic poetry writer, Snow White and the Sub Gigahertz Dwarves.

"Ma Bell"

[wile_e_wonka]

this article would seem to confirm Ma Bell's worst fears I find it hard to call AT&T "Ma Bell" anymore. Southern Bell Corporation purchased AT&T, then took the name. In other words, one of the "baby bells" grew up and ate it's mother. Then stuck her logo on his forehead. Hence the current AT&T isn't really "Ma Bell" it's some weird and pretty ironic freak of nature.

Just nitpicking.

Re:AT&T now supports open access for 700Mhz ba

[pipingguy]

PR Tip, Steve: try to stay away from phrases like, "final solution".

Re:AT&T now supports open access for 700Mhz ba

[jez9999]

Because in America, anything owned by the government is evil, and anything owned by private companies is good.