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Google Ready to Bid on 700 MHz

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the protecting-your-interests dept.

Seppanen Style writes "The 700MHz spectrum auction looks like it's going to be heated. Google CEO Eric Schmidt has all but confirmed that Google will make a play for the spectrum that will be on offer next January. 'In effect, this could give Google control of the entire pipe between customers and Google servers, a move that could be very good for business strategy, even if the wireless network is not a major profit center. Companies never like to be at the mercy of other companies, and Google is no exception.'"

8 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. Google IS buying up some dark fiber by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Informative

    and maybe buy up some of the dark fiber around the country

    Google IS buying up some dark fiber, from what I understand.

    Google doesn't want to be controlled by Comcast's Tiered Internet proposals. Therefore, they might just work around Comcast.

  2. Re:I Bet Google Will Lose by LWATCDR · · Score: 2, Informative

    Last time I checked Google had a Market Cap of around 120 BILLION dollars...
    I think they have the money.

    --
    See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
  3. Market cap... by msauve · · Score: 3, Informative

    As of today, Google has a market capitalization (stock price x outstanding shares) of $160 billion. They could easily issue, say, 10% more shares and collect over $10 billion, even when considering the dilution that would cause. Even without that, their balance sheet shows total cash of over $12 billion, and zero debt.

    It's not a problem for them.

    --
    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
  4. Re:I Bet Google Will Lose by Arabani · · Score: 5, Informative

    If market cap was actually an indicator of potential success in the auction, Google would lose.

    The telecoms:
    AT&T: $242 billion
    Sprint: $53 billion
    Deutsche Telekom (they own T-Mobile): $79 billion
    Verizon: $121 billion

    Versus:
    Google: $160 billion

    Luckily, there's more to this game than pure market caps. Google is probably better able to raise cash, and may also have more cash on hand, than the telcoms. On the other hand, though, you have companies that have been around for a long time, and are fairly good at getting what they want. Regardless, I'm looking forward to the auction. A Google win would be awesome, but the actual event should turn out interesting as well.

  5. Re:Looks like it's going to be heated by icegreentea · · Score: 2, Informative

    gp was a joke. 2.4Ghz being your microwave oven.

  6. For the lazy by 5of0 · · Score: 2, Informative
    Where parens are Market Cap, Cash/Debt.

    Looks like if these are the number we're looking at, Google is way ahead. But IANAFG, so I haven't the foggiest whether any of these matter or not. They're just the numbers.
    --
    You all have Oo.o and Firefox, so get World Wind.
  7. Re:Offtoic, sure... by jagdish · · Score: 2, Informative
    Funny you mention this. From their site:

    Ars Technica is one of the most advertising-light tech sites on the 'net (and we don't split up 500 word reviews over 5 pages, either).
  8. Re:Google wireless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    With Viatalk VOIP, I've had unlimited phone calls in US/Canada for $8.33/month for the past 4 or 5 months. Not difficult.