Google Makes Stealth Moves For Phone Market Dominance

We talked before about the moves Google made during the recent wireless license auction to ensure that the winner of the auction (Verizon) offered its service with ‘open access’ requirements (Google bid until a price was met where the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would insist on open access - and then stopped bidding). We suggested that Google made the move to ensure that Google operating systems and software could run on all phones that use the spectrum when they release them in September.

Now Google is making sure that Verizon delivers open-access requirements that suit their needs. Business Week reports on the moves:

In a May 2 filing, Google points out a number of ambiguities in the FCC’s language surrounding open access. For example, the FCC said that the spectrum buyer may not “disable features on handsets it provides to customers.” But Google claims that Verizon plans to treat customers using its open-access network differently from all others — and that that would be a violation of that very rule. “If the correct direction is not set now, concurrent with the application review and grant process, the Commission’s policy goals will be thwarted…” Google warns in its filing. Alas, the real battle for open access is just beginning.

Tech Beat Google: FCC Must Clarify Open Access - BusinessWeek

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