If you don’t already know, Google has announced they will be bidding for the 700Mhz frequency that is going up for sale in January 2008 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This has caused a lot of press to come out in the media, with both positive and negative views to the idea. A lot of people are starting to ask the question – Does Google want to become a telco provider? Is that why they are doing this?

In Google’s official press release it says:

“We believe it’s important to put our money where our principles are,” said Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, Google. “Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today’s wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet.”

If you mix that with the recent news of Google who recently launched Android – a new open platform for mobile devises which they want to roll out to as many mobile devices as they can then – The is BIG news for AT&T and Verizon.

Is Google playing a game? Are they just trying to send a message to the big guns? “Open up the platform… or else”

I was reading this interesting article today titled ‘Google Shrewdly Plays Wireless Bid‘. This article suggests just this – that Google has already won the bid.

No, not physically wining the bid, but rather, they have obtained the goal they set themselves when they said they were going to bid. Why are they bidding? In my opinion, they want to open up the networks. I really don’t think Google has an interest to be a telco provider, but they would do it, if the telco’s don’t clean up their act.

Its no secret – Google’s ‘vision’ is to make the world a better place. “Don’t be evil” is their motto. Believe it or not, they have lived up to the statement thus far.

In my opinion, Google has already won.

It is no mere coincidence that Verizon and AT&T are opening up their networks: See Verizon Wireless Says ‘Bring Your Own’ Device or Verizon Wireless Opens Up Its Network. Who’s Next?. I think TechCrunch sums it up nicely:

In what is either a response to Google’s Android mobile operating system or an attempt to butter up the FCC for the upcoming 700 Mhz spectrum auctions or just a smart business move, Verizon Wireless is opening up its cellular network to any device or application that meets the “minimal technical standard” to run on its network.

That means pretty much any CDMA device or application, even ones that are not officially offered by Verizon. The devices and apps will have to be tested and certified in a new $20 million Verizon lab being set up for that purpose, but by early next year if you don’t like the phones that Verizon sells, you will be able to bring your own unlocked CDMA phone to the network—maybe one you bought from Sprint or overseas.

This move could help Verizon in its bid for the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction, which will require that any winners allow open access to devices and applications on any resulting wireless network. By adopting those same principles for its current network, Verizon is showing a lot of good faith that could win it points in Washington.

Amazing what the power of one corporation with a lot of money can do. The funny thing is – they haven’t even spent it yet on the bid, and I think they are getting the results they were after. This really is a win-win situation for consumers.