Mobile Twittering can lead to degenerate Twitter addiction - it's just too easy to check up on your friends and to let them know what you're doing. The other side of Twitter is its power as a viral marketing and PR channel of sorts. You can update your followers on the latest product developments, launches, [...]

Just what does AT&T plan on doing with all that 700Mhz B-Block spectrum (from the 700Mhz FCC auction) and that valuable swath of 700Mhz C-Block spectrum (from Aloha Partners)? It looks like AT&T is going to use the fresh-off-the-grill spectrum to launch its own 4G LTE mobile broadband network.The additional spectrum firmly plants AT&T at [...]

Well lookey lookey who came away with the cookie(s). The FCC has just revealed details on the winners of the recently ended 700Mhz spectrum auction, and it looks like industry heavyweights AT&T and Verizon Wireless are walking away with the biggest slices of 700Mhz-cake. As expected, Verizon Wireless managed to wrangle the highly sought-after and talked-up [...]

We know, we’ve been talking about Google’s intention to bid on the upcoming FCC 700Mhz spectrum auction, and Google CEO Schmidt even confirmed his company’s intent to do so. But, according Bloomberg, some analyst think that Google isn’t planning on submitting a bid beyond the initial $4.6 billion minimum opening-bid. Is Google’s bid for the 700Mhz auction just for show? These analysts are saying that Google could have simply talked a big game and feigned interest in snatching up the 700Mhz spectrum in order to affect policy changes like the controversial open-access regulations that were placed on the spectrum by the FCC. Google’s commitment to bidding on the spectrum could end at the opening bid - after which Google will simply let the industry big-dogs duke it out for the winning bid. Afterall, Google will still have an open network to provide its services regardless of who wins the auction. And, with Verizon Wireless’s recent announcement that they’ll be opening up their network to “any app, any device” in 2008, Google could see little benefit to actually owning the 700Mhz airwaves. “They’re going to get what they want without having to put up billions of dollars,” said Todd Dagres, general partner at Spark Capital, adding that “the ideal scenario is to get the openness so [Google] can offer their services. I’m not sure they want to be a wireless carrier.” We’re cautious to put our faith in this kind of speculation - everything we’ve heard about Google’s plans seems to indicate that they’re serious about winning the spectrum. But, it makes a lot of sense for Google to “put [their] money where [their] principles are” in an opening bid, and then sit on the sidelines as they wait for their open-network to go live. [Via: Bloomberg ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Google is still a player in FCC's 700Mhz spectrum auctionGoogle getting serious about 700Mhz wireless network plans700Mhz FCC auction delayed, new auction rules publishedFCC releases details, rules for upcoming 700Mhz frequency spectrum auction - $10 billion reserve price700Mhz frequency spectrum primed to be worldwide standard for mobile broadband

We pretty much knew they were going to do it , but there’s nothing like a an official press release to get our juices flowing. Google CEO Eric Schmidt made it official - Google will be bidding on the 700Mhz wireless spectrum come January 24, 2008. And, it looks like Google’s going to be making their bid solo. “We believe it’s important to put our money where our principles are,” said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google. “Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today’s wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet.“ We believe it’s important too, Eric. Good luck with the upcoming 700Mhz FCC auction . But, then again, you have more than enough cash reserves and enough credit to steamroll just about anyone that might bid against you . Read on for the full press release. Google Will Apply to Participate in FCC Spectrum Auction MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (November 30, 2007) - Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that it will apply to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s upcoming auction of wireless spectrum in the 700 megahertz (MHz) band. As part of the nationally mandated transition to digital television, the 700 MHz spectrum auction — which begins January 24, 2008 — will free up spectrum airwaves for more efficient wireless Internet service for consumers. Advocacy by public interest groups and Google earlier this year helped ensure that regardless of which bidders win a key portion of the spectrum up for auction (the so-called “C Block”), they will be required to allow their users to download any software application they want on their mobile device, and to use any mobile devices they would like on that wireless network. The winner must ensure these rights for consumers if the reserve price of $4.6 billion for the C Block is met at auction. “We believe it’s important to put our money where our principles are,” said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google. “Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today’s wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet.” Schmidt also praised the leadership of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and his fellow commissioners for adopting the new rights for consumers earlier this year. Google’s formal application to participate in the 700 MHz auction will be filed with the FCC on Monday, December 3, 2007 — the required first step in the auction process. Google’s application does not include any partners. About Google Inc. Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top Web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall Web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com. ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Google getting serious about 700Mhz wireless network plansGoogle may bid for upcoming 700Mhz frequency auction - if FCC agrees to "open access" termsGoogle is still a player in FCC's 700Mhz spectrum auctionVerizon Wireless flip-flops - supports some "open-access" for 700Mhz spectrum700Mhz frequency spectrum primed to be worldwide standard for mobile broadband

Competition is the driving force behind innovation in any market - the wireless market especially. So, in light of that fact, Canada has set aside a 40Mhz swath of wireless spectrum to give potential new wireless carriers a chance to enter the Canadian market. Industry Minister Jim Prentice said that the 40Mhz slice of radio frequencies would be “set aside for newcomers to the industry.” Presumably, the goal is to open the door to more competition - which should lead to higher-quality service and lower-prices for the Canadian population. And, to ensure that only the little-dog gets a chance at owning the 40Mhz spectrum, Prentice said that only companies with revenues accounting for less than 10% of the Canadian market will be allowed to enter a bid. As you might imagine, industry incumbents like Telus aren’t exactly pleased with the new auction rules. But hey, as long as it drives down those crazy data rates in Canada, we’re sure the consumer won’t be complaining anytime soon. It sure would be interesting to see the FCC enact rules that would effectively shut-out the big-dog incumbents from the upcoming 700Mhz auction. But, then again, those same big-dogs contribute way to much “lobbying” money to let that kind of thing happen - even if it is in the best interest of the US consumer. Corrupt? We didn’t say it. No wait, yes we did. [Via: Engadget Mobile ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Bell Canada On The Auction Block - BCE In Talks To Sell Bell CanadaNokia presents old, unpopular sets in Iranian marketAmp'd Mobile In Canada, Eh?Rogers Wireless announces Motorola RAZR2 V9 in CanadaNokia is offering free camera phones to blogers

The upcoming 700Mhz frequency spectrum auction has been a hotly anticipated event. The FCC auction is expected to usher in a new era of mobile broadband for the US, and as such, the US pushed for global adoption of the 700Mhz band as the home of future mobile broadband technologies. And, it seems that much of the globe as agreed to support the 700Mhz spectrum for next-generation wireless services - all of the Americas, China, India, Europe, South Korea, and Japan are on board to utilize the upcoming spectrum.As the new globally-accepted spectrum for future wireless technologies, the 700Mhz frequency is sure to be an even more sought-after slice of the radio spectrum. We can’t imagine that any of the big wireless-players will be able to take the upcoming auction lightly - especially considering that Google is seriously considering launching their own wireless network if they clinch the winning bid. There should be a lot of money being thrown around, come January. This should be interesting.[Via: RCRNews ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:FCC Approves Auction of 700Mhz Wireless SpectrumGoogle may bid for upcoming 700Mhz frequency auction - if FCC agrees to "open access" terms700Mhz FCC auction delayed, new auction rules publishedFCC releases details, rules for upcoming 700Mhz frequency spectrum auction - $10 billion reserve priceGoogle: FCC may require upcoming 700Mhz spectrum auction to be [...]

We already knew Google was looking to take a shot at winning a bid for the 700Mhz spectrum that’s slated to be auctioned by the FCC in a couple months . Now it looks like Google is as serious about launching their own wireless network than ever before. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google feels that they are obligated to bid on the 700Mhz frequency spectrum after successfully lobbying to get the “open-access” rules passed by the FCC. The search-giant is already testing a small-scale wireless network at its Mountain View, CA-headquarters, using the 700Mhz frequency band to help develop its prototype fleet of Android-powered mobile phones. Google’s got more than enough cash on hand to cover the initial $4.6 billion bid-price, and is reportedly ready to pay more out of its own pockets or take out loans to cover a winning bid. With Google’s recent entry into the mobile space, it seems that they are committed to making sure that their Android-based handsets will make it into as many consumer hands as possible - winning the 700Mhz spectrum would give Google the leverage to really push the Android platform. We’ll have to wait a couple more months to see what Google does, but it seems more likely than ever that we’ll be seeing a Google Wireless in our future. [Via: Electronista ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Google may bid for upcoming 700Mhz frequency auction - if FCC agrees to "open access" termsGoogle is still a player in FCC's 700Mhz spectrum auction700Mhz frequency spectrum primed to be worldwide standard for mobile broadbandApple considering bid on upcoming 700Mhz frequency spectrum?Google: FCC may require upcoming 700Mhz spectrum auction to be "open [...]