WSJ: Google to Bid on Wireless Spectrum
Key points from the Wall Street Journal’s article, Google Has Even Bigger Plans for Mobile Phones
- Can Google run its own wireless network? Sure, why not? Yes, wireless networks are complicated but Google would have a key advantage–it wouldn’t have legacy applications and equipment to worry about. If you’re AT&T and Verizon Wireless you can’t just rip out old stuff and replace it with a new network. That’s why wireless networks in emerging markets are advanced–they have a greenfield.
- Who is Google going to annoy? The partnership thing shouldn’t be overlooked. Google would get flexibility by bidding by itself, but the wireless world is an ecosystem. Partnering with another bidder may make sense even if it’s a token gesture. Clearwire was mentioned as a partner, which would make some sense since its Sprint deal is in limbo.
- The spectrum purchase would make sense. Just because Google bids–and possibly wins spectrum–it doesn’t necessarily have to use it. A slice of 700 MHz spectrum would be a valuable asset. It could divide the spectrum and lease it, use it as leverage in negotiations with AT&T and Verizon Wireless or create some grand plan for its Android software. The grand plan would probably add up to the long-rumored G-phone.
Technorati Tags: AT&T, Google, Wireless, Spectrum, Verizon, Mobile, Android