IP Convergence: Beyond VoIP, Beyond Cost Savings

This weekend I read a commentary by PC Magazine’s  editor and Chief Lance Ulanoff “Don’t Give Google 700Mhz”

I posted  a response at their website and I am still bothered by the position he has taken.

“ The position that 700Mhz digital data services may require antennas as broadcast analog TV is totally off base.  An analog broadcast !=  (not equal to) digital data, broadcast TV is just that a broadcast signal without any protocol between the receiver and transmitter, whereas digital data receiver and transmitter have defined protocols that optimize reception given the available data rate e.g. WiFi, GPRS etc …

Some  of the biggest advantages of wireless digital data at 700Mhz is not needing line of site ,  not prone to moisture (water in leaves) and a huge chunk of to be available spectrum.

The position that Verizon, Sprint and ATT know the business and can do better for the American public is weak at best.

“The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.”

The FCC’s job is to manage American spectrum for the country , e.g. the people.

When was the last time Verizon, Sprint and ATT acted on behalf of the people?  Checkout your Verizon RZAR and you’ll find out they feature lock Motorola’s features (like local access to Bluetooth to transfer files), whereas T-mobile does not.

Google is acting to further itself , but there’s a difference here.  Google’s advocacy on Open Access to Spectrum is disruptive   and will create innovation in the wireless industry that will benefit the people.

Google’s greatest strength is their  success, their greatest challenge is maturing as a regulatory influencer against the incumbents who have decades of experience on playing the game.”

I had to rewrite the post several times just to get my emotions out.

Google has and will change the wireless industry.  The position they have taken on open access on spectrum will create innovate  environment , which will open the markets to more companies that develop hardware, software or services (content).

The big three will need to be competitive to protect their base, this is no different than the FCC open market position in the 90’s that opened local markets which benefited users with more choices and lowered costs.