In the last two years, the well-known fact of Google offering free WiFi Internet access in Mountain View, California has almost been forgotten (except, of course, by people living in Mountain View and Googlers themselves). At the time of news many were wondering about why Google is doing such a thing. Not it all suddenly became obvious…
Slashdot reports that Google is preparing for a bid in the upcoming auction set up by FCC for a 700 Mhz radio frequency. There are a few interesting twists about the offer – “open access” and “nation-wide”. With these news, it’s hard to see the Mountain View setup as something else rather than a test platform. With the recently released Android open mobile platform, the connections seem obvious.
The stakes for the band are high, and Google is planning to bid at least $4.6 billion USD dollars. And they are paying this all out of their own pocket (not sharing with another company, etc).  Wh? Because there are quiet a few things on Google’s agenda.
If you are like me, and need more information on this whole thing, here are a few pointers:
- Wikipedia : 700 Mhz wireless spectrum auction
- Engadget Mobile : posts tagged with 700mhz
- GigaOm : 700 Mhz explained in 10 steps
- GigaOm : Inside the 700 MHz spectrum land grab
- Daily Wireless : 700MHZ Goes Live
- Daily Wireless : Consumers to FCC: 700MHz Democracy Now!
P.S. : Now those Indian telecoms have to re-think their position.
P.P.S. : In the completely unrelated news, Ubiquiti Networks announced world’s first 700 MHz WiFi radio. Here is the official press release.