Report: Google Wireless Spectrum Bid Expected Friday

November 29, 2007

Just a few minutes ago from the time of this post, The Wall Street Journal's website put up a report noting that Google will apply to bid for wireless spectrum in a January Federal Communications Commission auction.

The Journal's Kevin Delaney cited unnamed sources for his report.

"If it wins a wireless license, Google would be in a position to become a provider of mobile phone and Internet services, to partner with others interested in doing so or to lease the spectrum to them.," Delaney writes. "The company has said it wants to make mobile networks more open, so that consumers can use any Internet service and application and move their handsets between carriers without onerous restrictions."

As do others, Delaney expects AT&T and Verizon Wireless to compete with Google for the spectrum.

Google expects to bid on the so-called "C" block of spectrum, says one of the people familiar with the matter," Delaney adds. "It's unclear whether the company would bid for any other portion of the available spectrum as well."