Google to Bid on Wireless Spectrum

Google will announce today that it does plan to bid  for a  slice of wireless spectrum coming up for FCC auction in January, the Wall Street Journal reports. A winning bid would allow it to provide wireless phone and Internet service, to partner with other providers, or to lease out the spectrum.  They'll be competing against mobile phone segment leaders Verizon and AT&T.

Google is a proponent of “open access,” which allows easier development of mobile applications and lets consumers switch carriers without penalty. Verizon this week said it would make its network open to third party devices beginning next year. (More Google stories.)