Google, "Open Wireless" Internet, and Bob Dylan

The FCC has freed up a lot of airwaves/radiowaves by forcing TV broadcasters to transmit their signals digitally. The hot new slice of airwave is the 700 MHz which the FCC says must be used for data transmission. They are holding an auction to sell it.

Enter Google. Google wants there to be "Open Wireless" internet. They want people to have a common wireless link that could be used by anyone, anywhere to use all aspects of the internet. Specifically this is what they want: 1) let customers download and use any software on the network; 2) let customers use any device on the network; 3) sell wireless space to any third-party wireless provider at commercial rates; 4) allow the wireless network to interconnect with other Internet service providers.

Google will bid $4.6 Billion for the deal. Google first wants the FCC to promise they can use the 700 MHz band for the above purpose. $4.6 Billion is the negotiating money Google is willing to put up. It also happens to be the FCC fund raising goal for the auction.

Other companies like Verison and AT&T don't like the idea. This would hurt *their* business model. In my opinion I think they need to wake up and realize their business model is the past and Google's is the future. Google makes lots of money with their business model. So to help educate the world that business models are evolving and that the future is an open source business model I have a little song I would like to take credit for. (With a little help from Bob Dylan.)

Come gather 'round businesses
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come the Verisons and Microsofts
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
This open business model
Is beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

More about this here, here and here.