Don't be Evil...Genius!
The wireless spectrum auction for the C block (the frequency that standard tv signals used before the shift to HD) may be over. The current bid is 4.7 billion, just slightly above the FCC's 4.6 billion minimum. The FCC's rules say so long as the auction exceeds 4.6 billion, the open access provisions would remain on the auction. Google wants these guarantees in place very badly. Verizon, not so much. If the total was under 4.6 billion, the FCC planned to take a Mulligan and re-run the auction with the restrictions removed.
Although the current auction-leader is anonymous, my thought is that it's Verizon and they've won. I think Google bid exactly enough to make sure the open access rules were followed. Then Verizon bid a little more to start the real battle for the spectrum. Knowing the open access provisions were in place--google's only end-game--Google has no incentive to counter, so Verizon will win the spectrum.
Google’s pre-announcement of their intention to bid at least the minimum was brilliant–it made sure Verizon had enough cash to outbid them, so Google doesn’t get stuck actually buying the spectrum. It also forced Verizon to bid, as opposed to sit out and attempt to force the FCC to rerun the auction without the restrictions.
Don't be Evil...Genius!
Although the current auction-leader is anonymous, my thought is that it's Verizon and they've won. I think Google bid exactly enough to make sure the open access rules were followed. Then Verizon bid a little more to start the real battle for the spectrum. Knowing the open access provisions were in place--google's only end-game--Google has no incentive to counter, so Verizon will win the spectrum.
Google’s pre-announcement of their intention to bid at least the minimum was brilliant–it made sure Verizon had enough cash to outbid them, so Google doesn’t get stuck actually buying the spectrum. It also forced Verizon to bid, as opposed to sit out and attempt to force the FCC to rerun the auction without the restrictions.
Don't be Evil...Genius!
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