Google to bid for wireless

30th November 2007

Google has announced it will apply to bid for wireless spectrum next January.

In an auction by the Federal Communications Commission next January, the 700 MHz spectrum will be auctioned off to increase the airwaves available for internet and mobile phone services.

Alongside public interest groups, Google has predetermined that whoever wins the C Block of the spectrum will not be allowed to limit which software applications users can download or which devices are used on the network.

The C Block is priced at $4.6 billion (£2.2 billion) and there is widespread report that Google is hoping to win that section of the spectrum.

"Consumers deserve more competitions and innovation than they have in today's wireless world," said chief executive officer of the company Eric Schmidt.

The Times recently reported that the firm will face "fierce opposition" in the wireless auction from the US's largest telecom providers At&T and Verizon.