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Google, Sprint, Others to Build Wireless Data Network
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.'"
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.
It does give food for thought, google have some much resources, and apparently a finger in every pie, but have stated little publicly about what their eventual goal is.
They seem to be moving into telecommunications, as well as data warehousing, on-line information storage, retrieval, and personal communications...
Does it make anyone else wonder whether we heading towards a future where there's only one communications company?
Sprint has the spectrum, they paid for it a long time ago. Now that Nextel isn't generating as much free cash they don't have the money to build the network, so that is where the outside investors come in.
The tightening credit market has not helped either.
You have to spend money to make money. There are already a lot of last-mile data solutions out there, so someone has to spend a lot of money get the ball rolling. Have to make the market in this case.
Just how will this not make them any money? If they can provide cheap nationwide broadband access, ($60-70/mo is not cheap), they will make plenty of money. Mine, for starters.
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...looks like the Android train has left the station, with only Sprint aboard. So much for T-Mobile offering Android and Google stuff. This also means I'm going to have to ditch my GSM phone too. Dammit Sprint!!
Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.
I pay 50/mo and mine sucks. If they charge 60-70, then their shit better work everywhere in the 48 states. Including rural Montana.
Google maps as defaults on Sprint Phones. Who's ox is gored by this one?
Apple, who doesn't have any one in particular for GPS and mapping, and their 'business partner' AT&T.
Microsoft, whose strategy is clear as mud, and can't seem to get mobile working very well at all.
T-Mobile/DT, who doesn't partner and eschews WiMax altogether.
Verizon, who is more proprietary than any of the aforementioned, in my personal experience.
Nice move Sprint. Too bad WiMax has proven so difficult and expensive to deploy.
---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.
In 2006 I got sick of contract lock-in and went to Virgin Mobile - phones that're cheap & easy to replace, no contract, and my usage fees total maybe twelve bucks a month. Uses the Sprint network, so coverage is not and never has been a problem.
If Sprint and Google can whizbang something together that whiffs of open construction and come up with a mini PCIe card that'll fit in my Asus EEE's spare slot, and price it reasonably with similar coverage, I'd happily sign away a two-year fraction of my monthly income.
The pain was excruciating and the scarring is likely permanent, but that just means it's working.
So, are we gonna see something like an "Emergence" of "A Fistful of Datas"?, or some sort of new Vertiform City? They may want to think twice about opening that box..., hehehe.. .MAKE IT SO, Nrs. One...
Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
But it doesn't. I'm on Verizon and I have a phone that can use EVDO for connectivity (that's what's currently used for wireless broadband). I get a signal maybe 20% of the time (The GSM sig is fine). But Verizon wants $67/mo for mobile broadband. No way.
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Nextel/Sprint had an inferior cell tower technology and was forced to place the towers at a closer proximity than most other carriers. This turned out to be a big bonus for the new spectrum... Closer towers=faster more reliable speeds. The other carriers are going to have to play catch-up on the technologies or invest a lot more on towers....
Am no fek Buddhist, but this is enlightenment.
Sprint Nextel, Google, Intel, Comcast, Time Warner and Clearwire.
I give the probability of fair pricing to the consumer coming out at 2%.
I give the probability of anything actually getting built beyond a pilot in the next 10 years at 5%.
I give the probability that these jokers can actually work together at 2%.
http://www.maxineudall.com/2010/02/should-economists-be-sued-for-malpractice.html
Sprint has EVDO service too. I have a phone that was recently upgraded to EVDO rev A.
Careful playing WoW with verizon. I was looking to get a data plan at Verizon and the girl at the store said its 50 cents for every MB over 5 gigs.. One WoW user got billed almost 20 GRAND.
You'll understand why I'm going with sprint just incase. Not to mention its $10 cheaper with SERO. Verizon has better coverage but aslong as it works at home and work thats all I need to use it at. it doesn't need to be as "mobile" as my phone which i'll probably go with verizon for.
-- "of course thats just my opinion, I could be wrong." --Dennis Miller
Ive been a sprint customer for the last 6 years. Their phones(if you get the right ones, ie sanyo) are unmatched in quality and durability. Their service people usually know what they are doing, and if they do make a mistake, they trip all over themselves trying to make it up to you.
Ive been using google apps on my sanyo phone for a while, but it will finally be nice to see sprint support them, even ship them on the phones.
If sharing a song makes you a pirate, what do I have to share to be a ninja?
Google seems to have an extra ! somewhere in their motto interpreter lately.
They'll provide you with cheap (ish) broadband access - subject to Sprint's usual terms - and you'll also get the added value of Google ads emailed directly to you, keywords pulled from the data you access over their network.
Advertising pays for everything at Google, don't think they'll change that.
Verizon doesn't use GSM, they use EVDO and CDMA.
Right. My bad. I had a temporary brain fart there. I couldn't remember which it was so I pulled one out of my head and I was wrong. My point stands though. Good catch.
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