Apple To Obtain Wireless Spectrum?

According to this eFlux Media article, Apple may enter into competition for the wireless spectrum to be auctioned off on January 16, 2008 (the 700 MHz band).

According to the article, Apple is also interested in competing for the White Space that the FCC has been hesitant to release for broadcast, despite the urging of a Coalition of Technology's Biggest Players (including Microsoft, Google, Dell and Intel). This space is becoming even more valuable as analog TV is going digital by February 2009.

Using analog signals to provide internet access provides many advantages. Increased speeds (from 50 to 100 Mbps), decreased prices, and more accessibility are all claimed to be obtainable using this coveted white space.

With Apple's having sold 1 million iPhones in a little over two months, their deeps pockets could make them serious contenders. One conflict of interest presents itself as Eric Schmidt, the outspoken Google CEO who also sits on the board of Apple. Google is also looking to purchase the 700 MHz spectrum in January.

The White Space, or the spectrum ranging from 43 MHz and 698 MHz, is still facing issues with the FCC, as television broadcasters fear interference with their programming.

Google and Their "Ambitious Plan"

According to a Mobile Tech Today article, Eric Schmidt says that Google has an ambitious plan to make the Net "their platform" - not that they haven't started to do that already.

Google will "probably" bid on the 700-Mhz spectrum that has been given an auction date (January 16th, 2007). Google seems to remain committed despite the FCC veto of their proposed open access rules, approving regulations proposed by FCC Chair Kevin Martin. Under these regulations, one of five spectrum blocks sold will be more open to devices and applications. Because of TV's switch to digital cable, this spectrum is being freed up, carrying an expensive price tag. At the lower frequency of 700Mhz the spectrum can travel longer distances with a more robust signal. Hopefully another brainchild of Google's (and a few other big guys) will help realize the company's goal of creating their platform as the Net.

What Google will do with this spectrum is still up for speculation. According to Rob Enderle, analyst for the Enderle Group, Google's interest in the spectrum could extend as far as running a mobile phone or broadband network. He speculates that "they would deliver telephony and data solutions over the network." While Enderle might believe their aggregation of broadband users is "part of the plan to control the network and trivialize competitors," I have faith that Google's "don't be evil" motto will hold true. Google (and Schmidt's) speeches stressing free speech, network neutrality and universal broadband all seem to support their desire to bring all the world's information to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. They are certainly doing the best job of that.

Maybe the Google Phone will have something to do with their billion dollar bid for the 700Mhz spectrum. Whatever they do with that spectrum, it will definitely be a step forward, towards a more accessible and inexpensive way to communicate - I mean, they're Google.