Apple Eyes the Wireless Auction - Overclock.net

PiratesRule · 09-10-07

Quote:

Talk of the government's pending auction of valuable wireless spectrum has focused largely on one intriguing newcomer to the bidding: Google (GOOG). But another tech powerhouse has considered joining the bidding as well: Apple (AAPL).

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At this point, says one of the sources, Apple is leaning against participating in the auction. It's not the money. With nearly $14 billion in cash, the company can clearly afford the $4.6 billion minimum bid required by the government, and could probably come up with the $9 billion that's expected to win a portion of the spectrum to be made available for a nationwide network. There will assuredly be stiff competition from phone companies and other potential bidders such as Google, DirecTV (DTV), and eBay (EBAY), which owns Skype's Net calling software.

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The rules approved by the FCC on Aug. 31 make the job more difficult as well. Thanks in large part to pressure from Google and other Net companies, owners of the spectrum will be required to allow any device or application to run. Such "open access" rules are an attempt to break the ability of phone companies and cable providers to limit which cell phones or other devices consumers can use, or to prevent them from using competing services for downloading music or playing games. That means Apple would have to think not only about enhancing the use of Apple products, but also take on the gargantuan task of making sure the network also supports competing hardware and software, from Microsoft's Zune music player to Amazon's (AMZN) Unbox movie service.

http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...733_page_3.htm

RickJS · 09-10-07

I don't understand....Can you explain?

PiratesRule · 09-10-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickJS

I don't understand....Can you explain?

The government is going to auction off the 700MHz spectrum (currently used for TV broadcast.)

RickJS · 09-10-07

And so apple is interested in it, still sorta confused but its fine.

PiratesRule · 09-10-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickJS

And so apple is interested in it, still sorta confused but its fine.

This might help some:

http://gigaom.com/2007/03/14/700mhz-explained/

Numerous companies are interested in the private sector of it, like Google and all of the telco companies (AT&T, Verzion, etc.) It could be used for Internet, cell phone use, lots of things really...

Licht · 09-10-07

700mhz SHALL BE MINE!! I wonder if you could change a wireless card driver and make it run 700mhz (without hardware modification)...

EDIT : And a router for that matter, it would be handy for home and office networking.

specops · 09-11-07

will they accept a check for 15 billion? you have your winner right here

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Apple Eyes the Wireless Auction

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