The FCC chairman Kevin Martin has proposed to open up a third of the forthcoming 700 MHz wireless spectrum for auction in America. With TV broadcasters set to switch their signals over to digital early next year, the space vacated would present an opportunity for an open access network.
This would mean that new telecoms operators could enter into the market competitively without having to buy airwave space from existing closed proprietary networks.
Interestingly Google has stated that an open network is essential to promote choice for customers and fairness for new telecoms businesses. The internet giant has lobbied strongly not just for an open-access network but also for new rules requiring licensees to lease their networks to wireless service providers, including broadband providers which of course could have huge repercussions for the mobile network industry.
“While any embrace of open platforms is welcome, only if the FCC adopts all [Google's] principles will we see the genuinely competitive marketplace that Americans deserve,” Google head of special initiatives Chris Sacca said, in his blog late last week. “In particular, guaranteeing open services and open networks would ensure that entrepreneurs starting new networks and services will have a fair shot at success, in turn giving consumers a wider choice of broadband providers.”
Google has pledged to bid a minimum $4.6bn in the forthcoming spectrum auction on the condition that the FCC agrees to its open-network stipulations. Could Google be thinking of launching a network service of its own?
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Is Google planning the same in the UK, as over the next 3-4 years across the country dfferent regions are turning of Analogue transmitters which as with the US opens up the 700MHz band