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Gadgets Google Can Win By Losing Spectrum Auction
Chris Peredun - February 9, 2008 1:30 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 24 comment(s) - last by Denithor.. on Feb 13 at 4:20 PM
Google doesn't want their own playground; just permission to play in the sandbox

With the FCC auction on the 700MHz band drawing to a close, and the bidding on the "50-states, eight-license" package going stagnant, analysts are speculating that Google has already withdrawn from the race, leaving the lead to Verizon Wireless.

With the $4.64 billion reserve price met on January 31st, the "open access" rules pushed for by Google have become part and parcel to the spectrum. The buyer of the spectrum will be "required to provide a platform that is 'more open to devices and applications' ... allowing consumers their choice in applications and devices to connect with." Regardless of who wins, Google stands to benefit from the "open access" rules to promote their mobile phone OS, Android.

However, industry experts haven't all agreed that Google has thrown in the towel. "If Google wanted to get into the nationwide wireless business, this was their only chance," said Rebecca Arbogast, a telecommunications analyst from Washington, DC.

While the Internet juggernaut has more than $6.5 billion in cash and assets targeted for investment, the cost of the hardware and supporting infrastructure to build a nationwide network -- in addition to the $4.84 billion demanded by the FCC for the license -- would eclipse this by a significant amount.

The auction is projected to close within the month, and the official winners will be announced at that time.

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Google...
By retrospooty on 2/9/2008 2:36:29 PM , Rating: 1
It must be great to be the multibillion dollar juggernought company that can win by losing, and who's main product is absolutely free. If only I could go back in time and buy Google stock instead of that house, it would now be a manision a yacht, a retirment fund and a permanent vacation/retirement fund...

http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=GOOG&ti...




RE: Google...
By retrospooty on 2/9/2008 2:37:00 PM , Rating: 5
And time for typing lessons LOL


RE: Google...
By BladeVenom on 2/9/2008 6:01:15 PM , Rating: 5
Even better a secretary.


RE: Google...
By jadeskye on 2/11/2008 1:18:18 AM , Rating: 1
Give this man a 6 XD


RE: Google...
By Joz on 2/9/08, Rating: -1
RE: Google...
By snowbro on 2/9/2008 3:27:11 PM , Rating: 5
Hmmm, I remember the IPO... It was just under ~$100... NOT $6 So, yeah, you would have at least quintupled your money by now. Even if you got in shortly after the IPO, and investing $10,000, that would get you $60,000 MAX, which is NOT a fortune...


RE: Google...
By WileECoyote on 2/9/2008 3:34:36 PM , Rating: 2
IIRC Google's IPO price was around $85 I don't think it was ever publicly traded at $6


RE: Google...
By wordsworm on 2/9/2008 8:14:13 PM , Rating: 2
That's about right. Also, as I recall, you were damn lucky to get it at that. The stocks were off to $120 in the first day of trading if I recall correctly.

Now, I wish I'd had a few thousand dollars to buy Microsoft or Yahoo stock when they first hit the market... there was a real value! At least for the MS stock, $1,000 would have made you a millionaire!


RE: Google...
By Denithor on 2/13/2008 4:20:45 PM , Rating: 2
Actually, a buddy of mine got in on a few (read: 10) shares of Google at $38 on opening day. He's been rather happy with the increase and only wished he had had a few more dollars to buy more.


RE: Google...
By porkpie on 2/9/2008 11:29:39 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
It must be great to be the multibillion dollar juggernought company that can win by losing, and who's main product is absolutely free.
Google's main product is advertising, and trust me, it ain't free.


Google - the media darling
By mankopi on 2/9/2008 4:03:25 PM , Rating: 3
Google has done an amazing job in making the Media love them so much. Only Google [and a lot of times - apple] can lose a bid and the Media still make them a winner. Can Google do any wrong?




RE: Google - the media darling
By Cygni on 2/10/2008 5:37:16 AM , Rating: 5
Google is corporate America's underdog. It is the newest 'big boy' to come around, and its $1 billion charitable foundation, business by being simple, and 'Do no evil' philosophy have enthralled old Wall Street whos still trying to understand what an ethical corporation is... not to mention the Internet economy in general.


RE: Google - the media darling
By IGoodwin on 2/11/2008 2:57:25 PM , Rating: 2
Given recent news, it would be somewhat amusing, although out there, if the 'winning' bid was Microsoft, given the smart phone company purchase and the nVidia/Windows Modile chip.


RE: Google - the media darling
By IGoodwin on 2/11/2008 3:01:18 PM , Rating: 2
Here's the DT article link on the phone purchase

http://www.dailytech.com/Microsoft+Gets+a+New+Side...

And the link to the nVidia anouncement!

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/15672/NVIDIA-Announc...


That Picture..
By Clauzii on 2/10/2008 7:25:25 PM , Rating: 3
.. gives the phrase "playing in the sandbox" a sweet taste.

Nice DT :) So what was the article about again?

--

Maybe Google found out that 700 MHz is not the right tech for them to use. I mean, there must be a reason for mobiles to have 1800/1900?




RE: That Picture..
By glennpratt on 2/10/2008 10:52:51 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
Maybe Google found out that 700 MHz is not the right tech for them to use. I mean, there must be a reason for mobiles to have 1800/1900?

Umm, 700 was already in use.


RE: That Picture..
By Clauzii on 2/12/2008 11:55:31 AM , Rating: 2
Yes, but isn't it kind of old tech?


How do you find these analysts?
By osalcido on 2/10/2008 1:33:08 AM , Rating: 2
Just curious how you find these analysts for your articles.

"Rebecca Arbogast, a telecommunications analyst from Washington, DC."

I suppose adding that she's from Washington D.C. gives more credibility?

Not trying to start an argument or troll or anything... I really would like to know




By Spacecomber on 2/10/2008 9:04:44 AM , Rating: 4
Google. ;)


By Master Kenobi (blog) on 2/11/2008 6:33:05 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Just curious how you find these analysts for your articles.

Like all things in Washington, DC. That's classified.


I like the pic
By Souka on 2/11/2008 2:43:03 AM , Rating: 2
Cute girl in the pic...got my attention...




RE: I like the pic
By Thev00d00 on 2/11/2008 6:03:09 AM , Rating: 3
boring news + cute girl pic = read article


But..
By ziggo on 2/10/2008 1:18:58 PM , Rating: 4
I do think they could lose by winning. Becoming an access provider is pretty far outside Google's current business, and I think they would be in a better position to let someone else administer the network, and provide their services on it.




By wordsworm on 2/10/2008 9:57:48 PM , Rating: 2
I really hope Google wins. With Google at the helm of that spectrum, I feel confident that they'll bring in a unique and innovative approach to the industry. If Verizon wins, it will be feet dragging, lobbying, and doing whatever else it can to make sure that its business model isn't threatened. I'm sure the people of America would only be the first to benefit from it. Once Google brought its new model to America, surely it would spread throughout much of the world for the benefit of billions.




“And I don't know why [Apple is] acting like it’s superior. I don't even get it. What are they trying to say?” -- Bill Gates on the Mac ads

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