Google Said To Be Preparing Bid For 700MHz Auction In January

If you’ve been following our coverage of developments surrounding the 700MHz auction to take place in January 2008, you’ll know that Google has made its interests in keeping a sizable portion of the wireless spectrum open very well known. (Open in the sense that essential freedoms for both the owner(s) and users (either in the corporate or consumer spaces) to competitively develop both localized and Web-based software solutions will be guaranteed. No strings attached. Entirely open.)

So interesting it was then to find the WSJ today publish a story claiming Google to be “gearing up to make a serious run at buying wireless spectrum.” Yes, you read that right. While just weeks ago it seemed Google was expressing some general curiosity in grabbing itself a slice of the pie, it’s now said to be quite serious about raising a paddle of its own at the auction to come. An intriguing revelation, no?

Speculation on the subject of Google’s own corporate fascination with the spectrum has been quite vigorous and loud already. Some in the blogosphere believe the company wishes to merely have room to market its developments easily to consumers, without having to deal with needless, time-consuming, and tiresome negotiations with egotistical wireless network executives. Others see Google as a good bit egotistical itself, wishing to spring a bid on auction day to get hold of a piece of spectrum that, for all intents and purposes, could be the basis for its own national telecommunications network.

All in pundit land of course agree that Google essentially will get what it wants out of the spectrum, as it has the weight of a tech giant and financial clout more or less on par with most parties in the telecom space to bend rules in its favor. But whether or not it desires the assurance of first-party control over a particularly coveted piece of wireless real estate enough to proceed with a bid of its own early next year is a topic that only very vaguely been juggled up to this point. Now, of course, it’s looking a heck of a lot more likely that Google will in fact submit its own number to the FCC when the day arrives.

Talk about conviction, eh?

What are you predictions for auction day? Will Google triumph? Do you think a bid is even necessary? Speak your thoughts in the comments below.