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Google Pledging to Bid $4.6bn to Open Spectrum

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the monies-and-mouths dept.

csuftech writes "According to an article posted on vnunet, Google is pledging to bid at least $4.6bn for the FCC's upcoming auction of the 700MHz spectrum. However, Google would only be willing to pay said amount if the FCC agreed to a few conditions, namely, 'the wireless spectrum would allow consumers to download and use any software apps and content they want; allow handhelds to be used with any carrier; enable resellers to acquire wireless services at wholesale costs; and mandate that third parties such as ISPs interconnect at any point on the 700 megahertz band.' All this was disclosed in a letter [PDF] to FCC president Kevin Martin written by Google CEO Eric Schmidt."

2 of 99 comments (clear)

  1. I'm not a Google Fanboy, but... by cromar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I do appreciate them fucking up the corporate status quo. This debacle is getting very interesting.

    1. Re:I'm not a Google Fanboy, but... by kaiser423 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      John Walls, vice president of public affairs at the CTIA, said that the pledge re-affirms his organisation's belief that the proposed deal smacks of foul play.

      "The letter highlights Google's scheme to have the auction rigged with special conditions in its favour," he told vnunet.com.

      "Nobody should be able to buy a custom-fit government regulation tailored to their business plan."

      Yea, this reminds me of the guy form "Thank You For Smoking"

      That has to be one of the most blatantly false statements that I've heard in a while. Wow. I guess this really is rocking the boat, and has a couple of carriers pretty scared.

      Kudos to google, way to not be evil!