Verizon Aims to Weaken 700 MHz Open Access Google Cautions FCC: related news

Google Nervous About Verizon's Open Access

Ian Lamont writes "Google is so worried about Verizon Wireless's commitment to open access using the 700Mhz spectrum, that it's asked the FCC to get a pledge from Verizon that the carrier will honor the FCC's open-access conditions before the FCC sells it the band. Verizon won the auction for the nationwide C block of the 700MHz spectrum, but Google points to Verizon's alleged attempts to abandon the conditions, including a filing with the FCC that said the the commission 'could not force the C block winner to allow all applications on the network.' Could this be another expanding front in the Net Neutrality battle, or is time for the carriers to accept the fact that Net Neutrality is essentially a done deal, and carriers need to prepare for the next battle — developing software and services to run on open networks?" The IP Democracy bl

FCC Duped By Google In Auction: Republicans

There’s quite a bit being written on the remarks of some Republican senators that Google (NSDQ: GOOG) “gamed� the 700 MHz auction, and “duped� the FCC...Bloomberg has the quotes. Their issue appears to be that by bidding Google lowered the amount the auction generated—John Shimkus “asked whether Google had “duped� the FCC by bidding primarily to trigger the open-access rules�—of course, by bidding Google drove up the price...the only thing that would have lowered it would be the open access conditions, which were set before the auction. The other issue is whether the FCC had been “duped�, which is highly unlikely since Google was not very discreet in its lobbying for open access conditions, and anyone with half a brain knew they were going to bid to trigger the open-access rules but probably wouldn’t go much hi

FCC Duped By Google In Auction: Republicans

There’s quite a bit being written on the remarks of some Republican senators that Google (NSDQ: GOOG) “gamed� the 700 MHz auction, and “duped� the FCC...Bloomberg has the quotes. Their issue appears to be that by bidding Google lowered the amount the auction generated—John Shimkus “asked whether Google had “duped� the FCC by bidding primarily to trigger the open-access rules�—of course, by bidding Google drove up the price...the only thing that would have lowered it would be the open access conditions, which were set before the auction. The other issue is whether the FCC had been “duped�, which is highly unlikely since Google was not very discreet in its lobbying for open access conditions, and anyone with half a brain knew they were going to bid to trigger the open-access rules but probably wouldn’t go much hi

Verizon Aims to Weaken 700 MHz 'Open Access,' Google Cautions FCC

The FCC should condition the grant of 700 megahertz band “C”-block licenses to Verizon Wireless on the carrier’s acknowledgment that it can’t block applications on the handsets it sells to its customers, Google, Inc., said in a petition filed last week.

Google asks FCC to ensure Verizon keeps C-block airwaves open

Google urged U.S. regulators to prevent Verizon Wireless from excluding the carrier's mobile phones from open-access rules that apply to airwaves Verizon bought for $4.7 billion in a government auction. The Federal Communications Commission shouldn't grant Verizon the nationwide set of licenses, known as the C-block, unless the company guarantees that its devices will let subscribers use the network to download any legal program, Google said in a May 2 petition. The FCC's C-block rules, backed by Google and consumer advocates, require Verizon to let any device or program run on the airwaves, breaking a wireless-carrier tradition of limiting the products they support. Verizon Wireless has said it will exceed the FCC's expectations in building a network that is open to any device or application.

Google Asks FCC To Verify Verizon's Open-Access Stand

Google wants the Federal Communications Commission to verify that Verizon will honor the open-access rule before issuing C block licenses for the 700-MHz spectrum. Google's petition to the FCC cites a letter from Verizon that would reverse the meaning of the rule. Other observers have also questioned Verizon's commitment to the FCC rule.

Verizon: Google trying to "change the rules"...

Verizon on Thursday responded to Google's filing, allegedly spinning the situation that Google – not Verizon – is trying to "change the rules" of the now-closed auction. The response comes to a filing with the FCC, where Google claims Verizon is not going to live up to the terms of a truly open network. It fears that, if left unchecked, open devices such as Google's Android platform would be deadlocked with Verizon, despite the open nature of the portion of the 700MHz spectrum Verizon won.

Google Questions Verizon Access

Google wants the Federal Communications Commission to verify that Verizon will honor the open-access rule before issuing C block licenses for the 700-MHz spectrum. Google's petition to the FCC cites a letter from Verizon that would reverse the meaning of the rule. Other observers have also questioned Verizon's commitment to the FCC rule.

Google: We Bid To Trigger Open Access; Was Willing To Acquire Spectrum

With the lifting of the 700 MHz quiet period, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) can now confirm what everyone suspected: its bidding in the 700 MHz auctions was primarily about triggering the open access rules. In a post on the official Google blog, two of its lawyers explain its bidding strategy, noting that the company was prepared to acquire spectrum at a price above the reserve: “...in fact, for many days during the early course of the auction, we were the high bidder. But it was clear, then and now, that Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) ultimately was motivated to bid higher (and had far more financial incentive to gain the licenses).�

Why is Google worried about Verizon?

Is Google worried that Verizon’s version of an “open network� isn’t quite what people think it will be? Techcrunch reports that Google is so worried that Verizon will find a loophole in the open network rules that it Google filed a petition with the FCC last week asking the FCC to preemptively enforce the rules on Verizon.

Google to FCC: Verizon is mucking up our cunning plan

When last we looked after the big 700 MHz spectrum auction wrapped up in March, Team Google was congratulating itself for successfully winning open-access requirements for the desirable “C Block� without actually having to spend billions of dollars, clearing a path for devices powered by its open Android platform even though Verizon Wireless won those airwaves (see “Google loses spectrum auction, exhales with relief“). The search sovereign should have known it wasn’t going to be that easy.

Verizon Joins Linux Mobile Foundation

An anonymous reader brings news that Verizon Wireless has announced plans to use a Linux-based software platform for phones on its network. Verizon is the first US mobile carrier to join the Linux Mobile Foundation, the goal of which is to "collaboratively develop a comprehensive Linux-based mobile software stack that can be modified easily and used at no cost on a wide range of hardware devices." Many had expected Verizon to go with Android, but according to the Register, Verizon feels Android "isn't as open as it would prefer." Continuing: "Yes, Google bills Android as open. And, yes, it's backed by the Open Handset Alliance, another industry consortium calling for the open development of mobile apps. But [Verizon spokesman Jeffrey] Nelson argues that at this point, Google is calling the shots.

Google concerned about Verizon's open access

WASHINGTON -- Google Inc. has asked the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to obtain a pledge from Verizon Wireless that it will honor the open-access conditions on a band of 700-MHz spectrum before selling the spectrum to the carrier.

Gag lifted, Verizon, AT&T, Google open up on FCC 700 Mhz auction

Tags: FCC, Google Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., AT&T Corp., Spectrum, Auction, Wireless Broadband, Broadband Internet, Wireless, Telecommunications

Google: Verizon Must Pledge Open Access

Google has filed a petition with the FCC urging the regulatory body to make sure Verizon sticks to openness requirements associated with its recently-won blocks of 700 MHz spectrum.

Verizon, AT&T win FCC auction, Google wins open spectrum

A Verizon Wireless store in San Francisco. US telecom giants Verizon Wireless and AT&T took home the big prizes in a record-setting US wireless spectrum auction while Google got the open access it eagerly craves.

Google Calls 700-MHz Auction A Major Victory For Consumers

Here's why: Google, as we learned on Thursday, did manage to lock in the open access rules by throwing up the minimum $4.6 billion bid early in the game -- a move that basically forced Verizon Wireless to pony up even more money for the national spectrum licenses and accept a set of rules that it had previously sued the FCC over. Not bad, when you consider Google didn't pay a cent to do it (well, other than lobbying fees).

Google ask FCC to ensure Verizon commit to open access rules

have filed a petition asking Verizon to pledge that it will commit to the open access rules set by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on a band of spectrum the company acquired at the recent 700MHz auction.

So, Did Google Win Or Lose The Spectrum Auction?

Google did not come away from the FCC 700 MHz spectrum auction with any licenses. It did, however, force Verizon Wireless to spend $4.74 billion and trigger the open access provisions to a massive block of spectrum that covers most of the country. With those provisions, and Verizon's own 'Any Device' initiative, that leaves the door wide open for the Android platform.

Politicians: Google manipulated 700MHz auction...

Google deliberately manipulated the outcome of the FCC's recent 700MHz auction, three US Representatives have alleged. Republicans Cliff Stearns and John Shimkus, along with Democrat Eliot Engel, said at a hearing today that Google unfairly managed to obtain an open wireless network without having to win it, by promising to bid at least $4.6 billion on the 22MHz block if the winner was forced to allow open (third-party) access. Evidence of this is claimed to be bolstered by a recent Google blog post, in which officials admit that open access was a key priority during bidding.

FCC Ends 700 MHz Auction

Apu writes "Having received bids totaling $19.5 billion over 260 rounds of bidding, the FCC has announced the closing of Auction 73. The Chairman's statement notes that the auction has "raised more money than any [FCC] auction has ever raised" besting the 2006 Advanced Wireless Service-1 auction that raised $13.9 billion and topping the $10.6 billion Congress estimated it would receive for the 700 MHz spectrum. The New York Times reports that "the last bid in the auction was $91,000 for frequencies around Vieques, Pureto Rico." According to the FCC, "eight unsold licenses [...] remain held by the FCC and will again be made available [...] in a future auction." This includes the "D block" which was to be shared by commercial and public safety users and only received a single $472 million bid, below the $1.

The Tools Google Uses Internally

A web seminar Google held yesterday at KMWorld Magazine offered a great deal of insight into how Google manages projects and communication internally. The presentation by Google followed an employee through his first few weeks at the company, explaining the many tools he’s using: from the Google intranet MOMA, the Google Ideas site and Google Caribou Alpha, to Google Experts Search, “Googler Search,” and Google Apps. Following is a smaller excerpt of the large-size screenshots & info Google was showing in the 59-page presentation, with thanks to Brian – who has a wrap-up of the presentation as well as the full slides at his blog – for sending this in. KMWorld says the presentation will be archived at their site eventually, so perhaps if you register with them you might still be able to see the event.

Sprint-Clearwire: Googles Role Too Big? Pay-For-Access Deal Raises Net Neutrality-Like Concerns

Over the last year, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) has made its presence known in the wireless industry, not for its applications, but instead, for its position on open access. The Internet giant has been extremely vocal, arguing that wireless networks should be more like the Internet—they should be available to all devices and applications. In fact, the argument was so compelling, the FCC took action by saying that a swath of airwaves Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) bought in the recent auction must be open to all devices and applications. But now, Google is investing $500 million as part of the $14.5 billion deal between Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel and Clearwire (NSDQ: CLWR)—and in return it is getting tremendous access, not only to the WiMax network, but also to Sprint’s existing cellular network, putting into question how open the two networks wil

Sprint-Clearwire: Googles Role Too Big? Pay-For-Access Deal Raises Net Neutrality-Like Concerns

Over the last year, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) has made its presence known in the wireless industry, not for its applications, but instead, for its position on open access. The internet giant has been extremely vocal, arguing that wireless networks should be more like the Internet—they should be available to all devices and applications. In fact, the argument was so compelling, the FCC took action by saying that a swath of airwaves Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) bought in the recent auction must be open to all devices and applications. But now, Google is investing $500 million as part of the $14.5 billion deal between Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel and Clearwire (NSDQ: CLWR)—and in return it is getting tremendous access, not only to the WiMax network, but also to Sprint’s existing cellular network, putting into question how open the two networks wil

Google lets users access Web-based documents offline

Google, bolstering competition with Microsoft, is letting users of its Internet-based word-processing program access their documents offline. A desktop version of Google Docs, now available to a few users, will be rolled out more broadly over the next few weeks, the Mountain View company said Tuesday in a blog posting. While offline access is offered only in English for now, the company is working on other languages. Google is upgrading its Web-based programs in an effort to take customers from Microsoft, which dominates the personal-computer software market. With offline access, Google Docs customers can use the Internet-based program and automatically save their work to a PC, so it's available on airplanes and other places where they can't connect to the Web.

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