The much anticipated 700MHz spectrum auction in January officially has another bidder. Google has announced that it will toss its hat in the ring.
A Google representative says that the company’s goal is to offer American consumers more choices in an open and competitive wireless world. Officially, Google doesn’t have to announce its plans until December 3rd so until then speculations abound.
Some say Google has no interest in becoming a network provider, others look to the previously proposed four open access provisions, or possibly they will lease space to others. Nothing is certain at this point except that when Google does make its plans known it will create a nationwide buzz.
Via [arstechnica.com]
Continue reading ‘Google May Get Its Open-access Wishes After All; Will Bid In 700MHz Auction’
Google is looking to offer 95% of the population free broadband within the next 10 years. Unfortunately, it seems that the FCC is thwarting their efforts.
Google has contacted the FCC and explained to them their interest in a wireless proposal set forth by M2Z Networks. M2Z is hoping to lease an unused slice of wireless spectrum between 2155 to 2175 MHz.
The FCC’s stance is that they’re waiting to hear how the public wants the spectrum to be used and licensed.
Google has my vote!
Via [theregister.co.uk]
Continue reading ‘Google Launches US Wireless Crusade’
Google has a vision of the future and it looks pretty good. Their goal is to make all cellphones compatible with any wireless network and internet access will be sold to customers at deeply discounted prices. In fact, Google is so devoted to this vision that it’s willing to throw $4.6 billion toward transforming prime public airways to a high-speed data freeway.
Google has placed a stipulation on its bid, they want regulators to agree to open access of those airwaves. If the FCC agrees the new spectrum could be revolutionary, giving consumers more choices. This idea is backed wholeheartedly by consumers, public interest groups and a coalition of major technology companies.
Via [latimes.com]
Continue reading ‘Google’s Long Shot In Wireless’
Technology has now made gaps in cell phone coverage a thing of the past, that is if there is a Wi-Fi Hotspot nearby. Smart phones, complete with Wi-Fi capabilities are hitting the market, albeit slowly, and allow you to make VoIP phone calls, check email, read the latest news and other activities via the internet. As with all new technology, there are plusses and minuses to using smart phone but the biggest plus is you have the option of using the phone in a traditional cellular mode or switching to a Wi-Fi connection. Look for future improvements to include more options that are less expensive.
Via [google.com]
Continue reading ‘Google Announces Free In-home Wireless Broadband Service’
Google wants access to as many as 1,500 city light poles in San Francisco for its own test network and exclusive from the citywide WiFi network that it proposed to the city. Google’s project partner, EarthLink, voiced the search giant’s request to city officials, which it said is a condition for Google’s participation in the project. The city earlier selected the proposal from the two companies to build and run the network at no cost to the city in exchange for the use of light poles and other areas where they can install access points. Brian Roberts, a senior policy analyst for the city, believes the request would not be accommodated under ongoing negotiations as it is well beyond the proposal presented to officials.
Via [pcworld.com]
Continue reading ‘Google Requests Wi-Fi Perch’
Google has blanketed Mountain View, Calfornia, the place it calls home, with WiFi using a mesh of nodes placed on the city’s lamp posts. A test of the network — access to which is not available to the public yet — showed that reliability, speed and ease of use do not match up with cellular or home Internet connections. Google claimed that the network can provide a speed of up to 1Mbps or less than half a fast DSL connection of 2.5Mbps and such would depend on how far the user is from the node. Signal inside homes is also very weak, which can be addressed by using an extra piece of signal-boosting hardware. There is also a lag in communication when calls are made using VoIP applications such as Skype.
Via [news.bbc.co.uk]
Continue reading ‘In Search Of Google Wi-Fi’
Google has no plan to profit from the the free Wi-Fi service that it is providing to Mountain View, California, the city where it is based. “The reason it is free is because…we want to get a lot of people on it,” Google’s Larry Alder said at the Supernova 2006 conference in San Francisco. Though fully deployed, the service is not yet accessible to all residents in the area. Google dismissed fears of privacy infringement, insisting that it will only require users to have a Google account and will not demand for their names or addresses. The account, according to the company, is needed for problem-monitoring purposes.
Via [news.com.com]
Continue reading ‘Google Details Mountain View Wi-Fi Service’
Google will provide free wireless Internet access service to its hometown of Mountain View, Calif. in a phased rollout that begins this summer. Volunteers providing feedback for the project can sign up for Wi-Fi this summer, with public service coming available later this year. Meanwhile, Google is working with Earthlink to blanket San Francisco with a free Wi-Fi service across its 49-square miles. Security and privacy concerns have kept city officials talking, but radiation concerns have been laid to rest. It turns out cell phones emit more powerful radiation than wireless radio equipment.
Via [news.zdnet.com]
Continue reading ‘Google Forging Ahead With Wi-Fi Efforts’
Google is working with Nokia to launch a handheld device that will include Google’s instant messenger and Internet calling service called Google Talk. The plan envisions users to tap a wireless Internet network instead of cellular signals to make calls. The service will be restricted to people with Google Talk on their PCs or Nokia devices.
Via [seattlepi.nwsource.com]
Continue reading ‘Google Teams With Nokia For Wi-Fi Mobile Phone Service’
Google Wi-Fi Gift Has A Catch
Google’s municipal WiFi project in Mountain View, CA. has a catch, no live tech support. The network is being provided for 5 years at a cost of millions as a ‘perk’ to the city, but as the saying goes; “you get what you pay for”. The free network will not have any live tech support available. While not a huge problem for some users, it may limit the amount of people who use the network.
Via [seattletimes.nwsource.com]
Continue reading ‘Google Wi-Fi Gift Has A Catch’