It’s Official: Google to Bid in Wireless Auction

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

It’s been rumored that Google would bid in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) upcoming wireless auction in the 700Mhz spectrum since earlier this year, particularly when the gPhone rumors first started to emerge. It seemed a little less likely when the Open Handset Alliance was formed, as Google was working with both manufacturers and carriers. However, in a press release released today, Google has confirmed its intention to bid in the auction, which begins Jan. 24, 2008.

Google is going after the “C Block”, which is the portion of the spectrum that would require the winner to allow customers to download any application they want on their cell phone. Sound like something Google and gPhone-ish, doesn’t it?

In the press release, Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Google said,

Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today’s wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet.

Notable is that Google is going after this on its own, without any partners, but they have plenty of cash, right?

Also interesting is that at the same as the press release was issued, Head of Special Initiatives Chris Sacca wrote a post on Google’s corporate blog channeling Schmidt. He said, in part,

Consumers deserve more choices and more competition than they have in the wireless world today. And at a time when so many Americans don’t have access to the Internet, this auction provides an unprecedented opportunity to bring the riches of the Net to more people.

We Say: Same writer? At any rate, late January (and perhaps a month or so after that) is going to be an interesting time. And it seems that Google already has the PR machine running, as although many enjoy multiple Google services, more and more people are also concerned over the monolith the company has become.