Forget Google Phone? Google eyes wireless spectrum

The FCC plans to auction off a swath of 700MHz spectrum that is currently dedicated to over the air, analog, television signals. Presumably the bands, whose signals can carry abou double the range of those from higher-frequencies, can be used to offer consumer wireless broadband access in competition with cable and DSL. The auction is expected to rake in $10B or more.

According to USA Today, Richard Whitt, Washington, D.C. telecom and media counsel for Google, allows that Google may participate in the auction. Chilling to me was Google's request to the FCC to allow winners of the auction to create an auction system allowing third-parties to bid for use of the spectrum.

I observe that Google serves about 50% of Internet searches, down from perhaps 75% when free market forces prevailed and Yahoo! stopped purchasing Google's search ranking results. If Google owned this new frontier of spectrum outright and set the terms for third-party use, what free market forces could intervene?

Q. Cable, DSL, or holding out for 700MHz?

Verizon to Sell Verizon One Wi-Fi Hotspot Phone Manufactured by Westell

Verizon takes another step towards convergence in the home with the introduction of its Verizon One concept. From the release earlier this month, "Verizon One integrates several technologies -- including a DSL modem, 802.11g wireless router, 5.8 Ghz cordless telephone and color touch screen -- on a single desktop appliance that allows users to seamlessly manage all of their communications needs and devices."

Verizon's iobi Home service is designed to bring together digital and voice communications. This device, OEM'ed by Westell, will become the user's endpoint for that stack of services.


With multiple device manufacturers (public and private) playing with dual 802.11 VoIP/3G wireless phones and gateways in the labs, presumably personal "multi-mode" WLAN/WAN phones might cut 5.8 GHz cordless out of the equation at some point in the future.

As for the dedicated color touch screen, it seems like an entree to invite video communications (assuming the bandwidth available to most home users could handle it). The DSL back end ties the market to those homes within 18,000 feet of their CO. Without two-way (or perhaps at least one-way) video communication I'm not sure of the allure for those of us who may already spend entirely too much time in front of Internet-connected computer screens as it is.

Q. Do you prefer the one-device-does-all approach, or do you prefer to keep your surfing separate from you calling?