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Google, Sprint, Others to Build Wireless Data Network

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the fast-buildout dept.

Nerdposeur writes "Google has announced that it will partner with several other companies to build a high-speed mobile data network. In a separate but related deal, Google will also become the default search provider for Sprint, including having one-click search access and Google Maps pre-installed on some Sprint phones. 'The consortium includes a disparate group of partners: Sprint Nextel, Google, Intel, Comcast, Time Warner and Clearwire. The partners have put the value of the deal at $14.5 billion, a figure that includes radio spectrum and equipment provided by Sprint Nextel and Clearwire, and $3.2 billion from the others involved. They expect the network, which will provide the next generation of high-speed Internet access for cellphone users, to be built in as little as two years, but there is no timetable on when it will be available to users and the price is not determined. The partners are seeking to beat Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless to the market.'"

6 of 65 comments (clear)

  1. The better deal by Ethanol-fueled · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As long as they don't have mysterious "fiber splices" into a sealed room, I'm in. Ma Bell's mobile broadband service sucks. If these folks set up a reliable connection and don't get greedy then they will win.

    1. Re:The better deal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      If they weren't greedy they wouldn't be investing.

    2. Re:The better deal by blhack · · Score: 4, Insightful

      How do you know that they don't already have the keys to the aforementioned protocols? Because they're the same protocols and encryption suites used by the NSA (who develops a lot of them). Whenever they find a big or vuln. in an encryption they always release the fix for it.

      The NSA has an interest in strong security too. If there is ANY loophole in the encryption (even one that the tin-foil hat crowd thinks they put there) it would be exploitable by the enemy as well.

      HOnestly, if the NSA wants to sniff your communications, it would be a lot easier for them to just break into your house and install a sniffer inline between your keyboard and your puter. No I am not talking about the hardware keyloggers you see online for $50.
      --
      NewslilySocial News. No lolcats allowed.
  2. Re:Rats... by Gat0r30y · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What makes you think that the phone is the primary market for this - intel makes the WiMax chips, they are part of this too. I bet we start to see peripherals for laptops and desktops to get this into the home as well as mobile. hell, get some of these in your car / navigation device - its broadband access to your music on the road. Put em anywhere you want broadband access - the infrastructure is expensive but the chips aren't.

    --
    Prediction: The real iPhone killer is going to be sex robots from Japan. Think about it.
  3. Re:What is their masterplan? by dreamchaser · · Score: 5, Insightful

    People have been saying that Google is the new Microsoft for some time. Most everyone else pooh-pooh's them because Google has been the darling of the tech community for years now. I'm old enough to remember when the tech community loved Microsoft too.

    Google will do what any publically held company does. They will grow and grow and take over as much as they can until something or someone stops them. That's not as alarmist as it might sound, it's just how things work.

    One company owning all of our data scares me a LOT more than one company providing all of our software.

  4. Google too close for comfort... by Prisoner's+Dilemma · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Google being this ingrained is not good. Is the wireless data going to become like Gmail or Google web accelerator where they read/analyze your private information to more effectively inundate you with advertising? I really hope that when/if it truely becomes illegal for carriers to tamper with the data that it also becomes illegal for them to access it as well.

    We're always looking for ways to work with carriers, device manufacturers, software providers, and others to help you get the information and content you need, whenever and wherever you need it. Unfortunately, too often these companies decide they know what I NEED better than I do. The more centralized this becomes, the more difficult it is to circumvent when you don't want what they say you NEED.