I am glad Google is willing to fight AT$T and the likes. I don't care even if Google does it for it's own benefit because I am also being benefited as a consumer. I curse myself for selling my soul and going with AT&T for IPhone. I am a AT&T slave for the next two years. I wish Google and Apple could come together and bid for the new spectrum. When that happens I would be more than happy to break my contract with AT&T
Veriaon is THE LAST company that I would choose to switch to in the near future when I choose a new mobile carrier. Why? They are the number 1 company known to cripple every device that they sell. The future is open, those against it deserve to disappear.
Can we start thinking about the true future of communications instead of profits?
Bye, bye Verizon (if there is any justice and they do not change).
Looks like somebody ticked Sir Charge off. No not google, its the people. How dare they dream of using new and innovative devices/applications on public spectrum. Its not 'public' spectrum ok! Stop saying that! What next? Better or cheaper service? No early termination fee? People dream too much these days!
Can consumers please choose NOT to have Google desktop preloaded on some workstations. It slows them down, takes up valuable resources, and desktop space.
Did I miss a point somewhere? If this spectrum is up for auction, then presumably the winner becomes the OWNER of that spectrum. If ownership doesn't confer exclusive rights to it, what the heck is the point of paying for it? Analagous to paying for a car at an auction, then being told by the seller that you have to leave the keys in the car at all times, just in case anyone else feels like going for a drive...
@ Brad. It's not the same. If someone buys a car at auction, you are free to buy another car from a different maker and drive it. Not so with wireless spectrum. Cars are not public utilities, or for the public benefit. The owner of the spectrum would have complete and total control over it. No one else could operate in that frequency space. So in that way it is anti-competitive. That's why the rule is there to guarantee access to the spectrum regardless of who actually owns it.
@brad - Real estate is sold all the time with covenants and zoning regulations - restrictions on use - which insure the land is used in accord with community values.
Before google express their support for public interest, I just wonder how much google cares about public's privacy. They collect all the data to figure what are consumers preferences, trend etc. I think Google is also monopolistic company. Why google does not allow to remove google cookies from machines ?? I think this is sheer hypocrisy in name of doing good for public. All corporates are alike, be it google or verizon.
@Brad I am afraid owning a car (private property) is not analogous to owning a specturm (public use). Auction winning of a spectrum should only represent an "operating license" on that band, and the owner can conduct legal business in that band. For example, Verizon can install a broadband router/access-point operating in that frequency band and can charge the consumers for using that internet service, since they are allowed to do business in that band. Just like a guy locks his car, Verizon can have all sorts of restricted access to its router and router alone. But locking the entire specturm is analogous to that car guy (imagine a car-rental company) buying couple of important US-highways that connects major cities and does not allow any other cars to use it! Imagine a case where you have to take crazy alternate routes just because a guy is not allowing access to a highway. Even if the law permits it, it is degrading to the quality of human life. There is a objective difference between "conducting business in" and "owning" a public property, and Verizon, I think, got it wrong. I am not supporting Google, but in this case, they are right in my view.
While I'm appreciative of Google's efforts to take this pro-consumer stance, it seems that no one is addressing the key technical flaw to this arguement. As you know, in the US we have carriers running networks with a variety of incompatible technologies (GSM, CDMA, iDen, WiMax, etc.) and on various proprietary freqency bands (700, 800, 900, 1200, 1900 MHz, etc.). The technical impact of this to consumers is, for example, a GSM iPhone on AT&T's network, even if fully unlocked, will never work on Verizon's CDMA network, even if both Verizon and the FCC agree to allow any device on to any network. While there are "world phone" devices available that work across several technologies and frequencies, they represent a tiny percentage of US consumers handsets. How does google address this issue?
@Rob Yes you are correct that the communications platform is currently diverse, and that there are few integrated phones. But, allowing open access is the first step towards creating a scenario where a device works across a range of networks. The concept of cognitive radios, where all sorts of modulation and coding is done in the software, might take the center stage. A single hardware, and the users can just download a software for operating in a standard. This would give the phone manufacturers the flexibility to pair up with any service providers at any time, which in turn will enable constructive competition, which the fundamental point anyway.
Whole concept of open access has been diluted without the wholesale requirement. And now Verizon wants to push it further so that they can control the open devices too.
I think a “neo-com” company should win one of the C-block licenses and show the world how a real open wireless system can be run. This can lead to the biggest innovation after internet.
I agree with Google and the FCC on this one! The goal of the new 700Mhz was to increase commuations within Public Service (Fire/Police, etc.) and to insure communications for public good. It is not all about the $$$$. Open use/Open Source rules.
noah... Google is clearly a more consumer friendly company than Verizon but the stock price of +$550 versus +$40 is meaningless when Google has only 312 million shares outstanding while Verizon has 2.9 billion shares outstanding
I'm curious to learn about Google's business case re. ROI on $4.6B using an open platform... Is it based on advertisement? If so, then Quality of Service becomes secondary (as it is nowadays with the Internet and VoIP). Then you will miss the "It's the network"...
Oh by the way "noah", the price of the stock doesn't mean anything if you don't have the starting price and number of outstanding shares (Finance 101).
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Well, if you want an "freedom"-open-company, why don't you switch to cricket? or metroPC or any of these prepaid companies where you can use any phone you want? and even "unlimited" (dropped calls) minutes. (without any warranty unlike Verizon's 1 year In-store replacement policy).
It turns out that just the fact of setting a phone number cost 200 dollars, just for the setup. Then Verizon discounts 300 dollar phones to 0 or cheap. They give you unlimited nights and weekends and mobile to mobile, and no roaming or long distance charges, the best coverage, reception, 24-hour customer service, the best trained folks at the stores, and you still complain?.
In Mexico a basic 2 year contract, for 110 anytime minutes (no text or data included), cost 40 dollars a month, and you don't get mobile to mobile, or free long distance. or even nights and weekends. A basic Motorola RAZR costs at least 220 dollars even with a contract. Yes its very lame, but my point is: do you really think americans pay too much for wireless??. think again. Verizon Wireless really care about its customers... but what's wrong to want to get money out of it? Don't they deserve it for all you're getting?
I always believe the customer's wishes are always the best way. If you want to keep your business you need to keep the customer happy. Like coupon sites, I use them all the time and I am happy, my favorite is http://www.keepcash.com
I see Verizon is unhappy with your lobbying efforts and has chosen to sue to block them.
ReplyDeleteI'm very disappointed w/r/t Verizon's stance on this subject. It's bad enough that we, as a country, pay more than most countries for wireless.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I'm very happy to see that Google is still keeping their stance: Consumers deserve more choices.
Get em Google!
Orion
Hi, could you contact me privately? I have some interesting ideas that I'd like to express to you. Please advise if you don't have access to my email.
ReplyDeleteThose who can, do.
ReplyDeleteThose who can't, sue.
I am glad Google is willing to fight AT$T and the likes. I don't care even if Google does it for it's own benefit because I am also being benefited as a consumer. I curse myself for selling my soul and going with AT&T for IPhone. I am a AT&T slave for the next two years. I wish Google and Apple could come together and bid for the new spectrum. When that happens I would be more than happy to break my contract with AT&T
ReplyDeleteVeriaon is THE LAST company that I would choose to switch to in the near future when I choose a new mobile carrier. Why? They are the number 1 company known to cripple every device that they sell. The future is open, those against it deserve to disappear.
ReplyDeleteCan we start thinking about the true future of communications instead of profits?
Bye, bye Verizon (if there is any justice and they do not change).
Satish, why are you cursing AT&T when Verizon is the company that filed the suit?
ReplyDeleteAs if I would have even considered them as a potential service provider to begin with, they just dropped even lower down in my rankings.
ReplyDeleteAre you for real? What the heck is Verizon doing?
ReplyDeleteAnd to think I wanted to sign up with them for wireless internet in the future (before I found out about Google's 700 MHz spectrum bid).
Looks like I'll be taking Verizon off of my list in the future...
Note to Google: Are you the only ones bidding on this? Can other companies throw their weight in? (like eBay, Microsoft, Apple, etc.)
I am changing wireless carriers because of this.
ReplyDeleteI think that any court in the land can take a look at the Ma Bell incident and see that without open access monopolies emerge.
ReplyDeleteLooks like somebody ticked Sir Charge off.
ReplyDeleteNo not google, its the people. How dare they dream of using new and innovative devices/applications on public spectrum. Its not 'public' spectrum ok! Stop saying that!
What next? Better or cheaper service? No early termination fee? People dream too much these days!
Thank-you to those of you at Google who are fighting for the less powerful. We are extremely grateful.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else remember when companies used to care about their public image? The arrogance nowadays...
ReplyDeleteCan consumers please choose NOT to have Google desktop preloaded on some workstations. It slows them down, takes up valuable resources, and desktop space.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I am thankful too for taking up for the little people too, Google.
ReplyDeleteDid I miss a point somewhere? If this spectrum is up for auction, then presumably the winner becomes the OWNER of that spectrum. If ownership doesn't confer exclusive rights to it, what the heck is the point of paying for it? Analagous to paying for a car at an auction, then being told by the seller that you have to leave the keys in the car at all times, just in case anyone else feels like going for a drive...
ReplyDelete@ Brad. It's not the same. If someone buys a car at auction, you are free to buy another car from a different maker and drive it. Not so with wireless spectrum. Cars are not public utilities, or for the public benefit. The owner of the spectrum would have complete and total control over it. No one else could operate in that frequency space. So in that way it is anti-competitive. That's why the rule is there to guarantee access to the spectrum regardless of who actually owns it.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this is why verizon's stock is trading at $45 and google's stock is trading at $500+
ReplyDelete...It might sound strange, but maybe google is one of those "customer/consumer-friendly" companies?
@brad - Real estate is sold all the time with covenants and zoning regulations - restrictions on use - which insure the land is used in accord with community values.
ReplyDeleteBefore google express their support for public interest, I just wonder how much google cares about public's privacy. They collect all the data to figure what are consumers preferences, trend etc. I think Google is also monopolistic company. Why google does not allow to remove google cookies from machines ?? I think this is sheer hypocrisy in name of doing good for public. All corporates are alike, be it google or verizon.
ReplyDelete@Brad
ReplyDeleteI am afraid owning a car (private property) is not analogous to owning a specturm (public use). Auction winning of a spectrum should only represent an "operating license" on that band, and the owner can conduct legal business in that band. For example, Verizon can install a broadband router/access-point operating in that frequency band and can charge the consumers for using that internet service, since they are allowed to do business in that band. Just like a guy locks his car, Verizon can have all sorts of restricted access to its router and router alone. But locking the entire specturm is analogous to that car guy (imagine a car-rental company) buying couple of important US-highways that connects major cities and does not allow any other cars to use it!
Imagine a case where you have to take crazy alternate routes just because a guy is not allowing access to a highway. Even if the law permits it, it is degrading to the quality of human life. There is a objective difference between "conducting business in" and "owning" a public property, and Verizon, I think, got it wrong. I am not supporting Google, but in this case, they are right in my view.
While I'm appreciative of Google's efforts to take this pro-consumer stance, it seems that no one is addressing the key technical flaw to this arguement. As you know, in the US we have carriers running networks with a variety of incompatible technologies (GSM, CDMA, iDen, WiMax, etc.) and on various proprietary freqency bands (700, 800, 900, 1200, 1900 MHz, etc.). The technical impact of this to consumers is, for example, a GSM iPhone on AT&T's network, even if fully unlocked, will never work on Verizon's CDMA network, even if both Verizon and the FCC agree to allow any device on to any network. While there are "world phone" devices available that work across several technologies and frequencies, they represent a tiny percentage of US consumers handsets. How does google address this issue?
ReplyDelete@Rob
ReplyDeleteYes you are correct that the communications platform is currently diverse, and that there are few integrated phones.
But, allowing open access is the first step towards creating a scenario where a device works across a range of networks.
The concept of cognitive radios, where all sorts of modulation and coding is done in the software, might take the center stage. A single hardware, and the users can just download a software for operating in a standard.
This would give the phone manufacturers the flexibility to pair up with any service providers at any time, which in turn will enable constructive competition, which the fundamental point anyway.
Whole concept of open access has been diluted without the wholesale requirement. And now Verizon wants to push it further so that they can control the open devices too.
ReplyDeleteI think a “neo-com” company should win one of the C-block licenses and show the world how a real open wireless system can be run. This can lead to the biggest innovation after internet.
I agree with Google and the FCC on this one! The goal of the new 700Mhz was to increase commuations within Public Service (Fire/Police, etc.) and to insure communications for public good. It is not all about the $$$$. Open use/Open Source rules.
ReplyDeletenoah... Google is clearly a more consumer friendly company than Verizon but the stock price of +$550 versus +$40 is meaningless when Google has only 312 million shares outstanding while Verizon has 2.9 billion shares outstanding
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to learn about Google's business case re. ROI on $4.6B using an open platform... Is it based on advertisement? If so, then Quality of Service becomes secondary (as it is nowadays with the Internet and VoIP). Then you will miss the "It's the network"...
ReplyDeleteOh by the way "noah", the price of the stock doesn't mean anything if you don't have the starting price and number of outstanding shares (Finance 101).
I found lots of coupons, deals & coupon codes related to wireless accessories at Verizon Wireless store through Couponalbum.com......!
ReplyDeleteI like this blog is fantastic, is really good written. Congratulation. Do you want to see something more? Read it...: Costa Rica is a country with a extremely sense of freedom. The landscapes are for much the most green in whole center america.The chances of investement are way to high, the average of Americans, European and people of the entire planet who is buying here is up in the sky !!!
ReplyDeleteGreat investment opportunity in Costa Rica: condos, costa rica real estate, costa rica property. Visit us for more info at: http://www.jaco-bay.com/
Well, if you want an "freedom"-open-company, why don't you switch to cricket? or metroPC or any of these prepaid companies where you can use any phone you want? and even "unlimited" (dropped calls) minutes. (without any warranty unlike Verizon's 1 year In-store replacement policy).
ReplyDeleteIt turns out that just the fact of setting a phone number cost 200 dollars, just for the setup. Then Verizon discounts 300 dollar phones to 0 or cheap. They give you unlimited nights and weekends and mobile to mobile, and no roaming or long distance charges, the best coverage, reception, 24-hour customer service, the best trained folks at the stores, and you still complain?.
In Mexico a basic 2 year contract, for 110 anytime minutes (no text or data included), cost 40 dollars a month, and you don't get mobile to mobile, or free long distance. or even nights and weekends. A basic Motorola RAZR costs at least 220 dollars even with a contract. Yes its very lame, but my point is: do you really think americans pay too much for wireless??. think again. Verizon Wireless really care about its customers... but what's wrong to want to get money out of it? Don't they deserve it for all you're getting?
Good article and comments. satellite internet access because it is the future of broadband internet technology.
ReplyDeleteI always believe the customer's wishes are always the best way. If you want to keep your business you need to keep the customer happy. Like coupon sites, I use them all the time and I am happy, my favorite is http://www.keepcash.com
ReplyDeleteJohn - thanks for the tip on KeepCash. I just added it to my bookmark list.
ReplyDelete