Imagine if, when you wanted to make a call on your cell phone, you could pick the best rate and most appropriate connection method by choosing between a group of providers bidding for your business? That would beat being locked into a rigid carrier contract. It might also introduce some unforeseen complexities, but hey  -- an appropriately-designed technology system can handle that!

That essentially is the message in Google's new patent (#20080232574), "Flexible Communication Systems and Methods," which describes a system where one or more telecom carriers bid to provide connectivity for a communications "session" (think phone call). The customer then picks one of the carriers bidding for his/her business.

Intrigued? Get the full scoop in my article here.