Caveat: I just read a couple quick articles on the topic, so I’m no expert on this subject. But it appears from Google’s recent announcement that they might want in on the 700MHz spectrum auction next year IF the FCC sets some conditions that the spectrum be an ‘open’ platform. Open as defined by Google is something along the lines that you shouldn’t be tied to specific hardware to use the network (as is often the case today with locked cell phones and wireless cards that only operate on a specific wireless provider’s network), that applications used to interconnect should be “open” and freely downloadable (today they are largely proprietary which can be very stifling to developers who use any operating system other than the authorized one). In an open network, the rules for connecting to it would be published (open) and developers would be free to write software to use it for any OS or device.

Some think that Google is well placed to enter the telcom business, and if it can offer wireless access to its services directly (ie: become an ISP), its products (search, online document, video streaming) become that much more accessible and eventually… who needs Microsoft or the phone company? That’s exactly what is worrying AT&T and Verizon who will be mobilizing to block any attempt to bring open philosophies into the marketplace, in order to keep their death grip on the information superhighway. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out. In the current fear-driven fascist state, it’s hard to see a government agency acting in the interest of the people.