Google's novel idea for FCC radio spectrum auction from USA Today reports Google has put in a proposal to the FCC urging the agency to allow companies to sell radio spectrum through an auction process to others. The FCC is planning a traditional auction of the spectrum, but Google says this causes licensees to end up with more bandwidth than they actually use. Google's argument is that in some cases only 5% of available spectrum is currently being utilized. Instead, Google wants companies that buy the new radio spectrum to be able to resell that spectrum to others, perhaps using a real-tim [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Mobile | Google: Internet Access | Google: Mobile

Google Goes Wireless from BusinessWeek reports on Google's lobbying in Washington DC to open up a government auction of licenses for those wanting to provide new wireless services. We know that Google, Microsoft and others would love to use a slice of these radio waves to run their own wireless devices. If this government auction works out for Google, maybe then Google won't have to rely on mobile and broadband vendors as an arm for their services. Richard Whitt, former head of the regulatory department for MCI, is Google's Washington telecom and media counsel. He has been lobbying at the [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Mobile | Google: Internet Access | Google: Mobile

Fred Vogelstein, who penned the semi-infamous "How Yahoo Blew It" piece for Wired Magazine, has a long Q&A style interview with Google's CEO Eric Schmidt in this month's issue. Here's a potentially more interesting earlier Vogelstein interview (previously unpublished) with Schmidt for comparison. Here are some choice bits (from the new interview): On Advertising and Revenue Diversification: Wired: I’ll phrase the question differently. Google gets its revenue essentially from one source -- online ads. One could argue that it’s not diversified enough. Schmidt: The criticism is valid. W [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Video | Google: Acquisitions | Google: AdWords | Google: Apps For Your Domain | Google: Docs & Spreadsheets | Google: General | Google: Internet Access | Google: YouTube & Video | Legal: Copyright

Both the Seattle PI and the Seattle Times have details about a group of technology companies -- including Microsoft and Google -- seeking permission from the US Federal Communications Commission to test a prototype device that uses "white space" radio spectrum freed up as TV stations go digital. Could it potentially be a way for these companies to offer mobile services without having to work with mobile carriers? Microsoft is apparently building a prototype device to sense and make use of open radio spectrum. Google, along with Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Intel and Philips are part o [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Mobile | Google: Internet Access | Google: Mobile | Microsoft: Bing Mobile

MarketWatch reports that Google and Earthlink are finally near a deal to finalize the agreement with San Francisco officials to provide free WiFi to the city. It has almost been a year since Google started the process of submitting a bid, and then winning that bid in April 2006. At this rate, maybe all the paper work will be done soon and they can complete the WiFi network two years after the whole process began? [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Industry | Google: Internet Access | Google: Partnerships