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.