Ah ok, I'm up to speed now. I also found this interesting..
"Still, rather than actually winning the auction, Google's participation is likely intended to secure what it sees as the real reward: ensuring that whoever ends up owning the spectrum allows the open access of applications and devices.
Indeed, as long as this goal is met, it's hard to see why Google would want to take on the costly task of building and running its own network. But given how much is at stake when it comes to the mobile market, Google's vigilance is shrewd, even if it never planned to own the spectrum.
To make sure the spectrum stays open, says Jamie Townsend, head of strategy at research boutique JRPG, Google must bid a minimum of $4.6 billion in accordance with FCC guidelines.
Over the summer, Google had successfully lobbied the FCC to include provisions in the auction that would force the winner to open access to applications and devices. But if those stipulations deterred bidders from putting in a bid of at least $4.6 billion, the spectrum would go back on sale 30 days later without the provisions.
With that floor in place, the two elements most crucial to Google aren't removed from the process. "
Full Article:
http://www.thestreet.com/pf/newsanalysi ... 93139.html
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