Rise of GoogNet — Part 3, Well Sort Of…
Most of you know about the FCC auction of 700 MHZ spectrum. I covered it in a previous post. Google had thrown the gauntlet in the game and asked FCC to include following conditions in the auction rules:
- Open Apps
- Open Devices
- Open Services
- Open Networks
They backed up the request with $4.6 Billion cash. These rules would have really allowed other players to get into the market and offer services, which would loosen the stong-hold by the big boys. This would have been a great win for the consumer.
FCC finally announced the auction rules today. Their response in a typical political fashion tried to please everyone. They included Open Apps and Open Devices, however it did not mention anything about Open Services and Open Networks. That could have really pushed the envelope around wireless services in this country. The announcement clearly shows that FCC wanted to make everyone happy. The top echelon at FCC is somewhat divided upon supporting a fully Open mentality versus what the big boys want.
Google has responded somewhat positively. They are applauding that FCC atleast decided to pick two of their four options. They haven’t mentioned much about what they will bring to the table around these two elements.
I do consider this a lot of progress considering what we have today. This will at least break down the “Walled Garden” and allow for better applications and devices. How this will be utilized, remains to be seen.
However I still feel that America will continue to follow the “First World” (along with Japan and Europe) of wireless instead of leading the charge.
