Comments on: Verizon and AT&T Score in 700Mhz Auction

By: DoCoMo To Unlock Devices From Its Network. Will Others Follow?

DoCoMo To Unlock Devices From Its Network. Will Others Follow? — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:13:14 +0000

[...] with LTE, however. Both AT&T and Verizon — the two largest U.S. carriers — will implement LTE with 700 MHz spectrum. Although LTE will initially be used solely for data, eventually voice will be piped over the [...]

By: Will We Soon Have Gigantic Wireless Hotspots?

Will We Soon Have Gigantic Wireless Hotspots? — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:19:28 +0000

[...] digital television in the U.S.: certain frequencies were freed up for non-television use. Indeed, the 700 MHz spectrum auction netted nearly $20 billion as Verizon, AT&T and others took advantage of the freed up wireless resource. But not all of [...]

By: DoCoMo To Unlock Devices From Its Network. Will Others Follow?

DoCoMo To Unlock Devices From Its Network. Will Others Follow? — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:31:55 +0000

[...] arriving with LTE, however. Both AT&T and Verizon — the two largest U.S. carriers — will implement LTE with 700 MHz spectrum. Although LTE will initially be used solely for data, eventually voice will be piped over the [...]

By: Pinoy Tutorial

Pinoy Tutorial — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:50:23 +0000

All is fair in ads and war! As Verizon stated on their counter affidavit: “We are just telling the truth and the truth hurts” Seeing the minced version of the 53 page statement of Verizon. I must say, I could be on the side of Verizon especially when the edge 2.5G of AT&T should not be really included on the map, because we are talking about 3G! not 2.5G! and the speed of EDGE vs 3G of Verizon is relatively slower

detailed review AT&T VS VERIZON: http://bit.ly/Verizon-is-just-telling-the-truth-and-the-truth-hurts

By: Money for Nothing and Your Spectrum for Free - GigaOM

Money for Nothing and Your Spectrum for Free - GigaOM — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:18:32 +0000

[...] Commission’s decision to start opening up more radio spectrum without even having to bid big at an expensive spectrum auction. The FCC’s decision earlier this week to open up white space spectrum, the slivers of [...]

By: Is 4G Via Satellite Destined to Fail? - GigaOM

Is 4G Via Satellite Destined to Fail? - GigaOM — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:13:52 +0000

[...] and even the names of a few cable networks were floated, but no deal came. After the 700 MHz auctions left incumbents with most of the terrestrial spectrum winnings, it looked like no one would be [...]

By: AT&T Explains Its 700 MHz Spectrum Strategy - GigaOM

AT&T Explains Its 700 MHz Spectrum Strategy - GigaOM — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:38:58 +0000

[...] 700 MHz spectrum were among the main reasons AT&T chose not to bid for that spectrum but opted instead to pay more for that of the B-Block, which complements the slice they bought from Aloha Partners, according to AT&T Wireless [...]

By: AT&T Explains Its 700 MHz Spectrum Strategy - GigaOM

AT&T Explains Its 700 MHz Spectrum Strategy - GigaOM — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:38:58 +0000

By: Leilão do Espectro 700 Mhz: Google perdeu… Google ganhou… Google ainda não desistiu de ter rede própria

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:38:39 +0000

[...] último dia 20/03/2008, o FCC (a ANATEL dos EUA) anunciou os vencedores do leilão do espectro de 700 Mhz. Vocês devem se lembrar. Nós falamos dele aqui e de sua importância para o futuro da Internet. [...]

By: Google’s White Space Proposal - GigaOM

Google’s White Space Proposal - GigaOM — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:08:41 +0000

[...] upcoming conversion from analog to digital television, and it’s pretty optimistic. You may recall the 700 MHz auction that decided the fate of licensed spectrum and raised $19.59 billion for federal coffers, but [...]

By: Do We Really Need More Mobile TV? - GigaOM

Do We Really Need More Mobile TV? - GigaOM — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:30:06 +0000

[...] relationship with Frontier Wireless, the winner of a $712 million hunk of spectrum offered in the recent 700 MHz auction. Frontier walked away with nationwide licenses to the E block of spectrum, which is good for [...]

By: Verizon and AT&T Score in 700Mhz Auction | AnywhereYouGo

Verizon and AT&T Score in 700Mhz Auction | AnywhereYouGo — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:46:59 +0000

[...] Full Story: GigaOM [...]

By: Verizon and AT&T Score in 700Mhz Auction | AnywhereYouGo

Verizon and AT&T Score in 700Mhz Auction | AnywhereYouGo — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:46:59 +0000

[...] Full Story: GigaOM [...]

By: FCC Chairman Kevin Martin Talks About 700 MHz Wireless Auctions - GigaOM

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin Talks About 700 MHz Wireless Auctions - GigaOM — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:28:16 +0000

[...] telecom scribe and an editor at Businessweek caught up with FCC Chairman Kevin Martin following the announcement of the 700 MHz wireless spectrum auction results. His interview is pretty telling, especially Martin dodging the question about new entrants. He [...]

By: Jesse Kopelman

Jesse Kopelman — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:49:38 +0000

Anyone who knows how little of their current spectrum holdings AT&T and Verizon actively use can't help but weep bitter tears. Just remember, those billions spent at auction is money that will not be spent on improving the operation of the existing networks. Good work FCC and Congress, it will hurt to sit down for quite a while!

By: mobilebuzz

mobilebuzz — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:51:29 +0000

I am inclined to believe that the underperformance of Google during the 700 MHz spectrum auction could not be accidental.

For one thing all of the upfront posturing and lobbying did help put conditions for an "open network" on the much coveted C block.

The Google threat probably also caused the large incumbents to dish out more cash than they would have had to otherwise. Google did bid $4.6 Billion early during the auction. At the end Verizon wound up dishing out a whopping $9.63 Billion, while AT&T dished out $6.64 Billion.

There could also exist the realization on the part of Google that the best way forward for Android is not through a mobile network of its own (i.e., limited devices), but rather through collaboration with the incumbents. This would potentially, and depending on how smart it continues to play the game, give it a much wider footprint.

So rather than being disappointed I'd much rather focus on the promising changes this whole mellodrama has brought about:

Various operators, including Verizon, have expressed the acceptance of Android
AT&T and Verizon announced a move towards open access
This week Verizon hosted its first and historical open development conference
Verizon released its first open access device specifications today

Let's keep in mind that just one year ago these events were simply unimaginable.