FCC

Google versus Verizon, Round 2

Tue, 06 May 2008 06:59:59 -0400

Google versus Verizon, Round 2

In a move seemingly inspired by those 'True Love Waits' abstinence pledges, Google is petitioning the FCC to obtain a guarantee from Verizon Wireless promising the operator will honor its commitment to open access. A Google filing Friday raises concerns that Verizon isn't fully dedicated to the open-access restrictions instituted by the FCC over the nationwide C block of 700 MHz spectrum the federal agency auctioned in March--the provisions mandate the C block winner (i.e., Verizon Wireless) allow consumers carte blanche authority over the devices and applications that run on the spectrum, and it seems Google fears Verizon won't uphold its end of the bargain, in effect blocking handsets and apps based on the web services giant's nascent Android mobile OS from its network. "Action now is especially necessary given the long lead time typically required for software applications developers and device manufacturers to design, develop, and deploy their products to the public, as well as the uncertainty Verizon has introduced publicly regarding its compliance with the open access obligations," Google's lawyers wrote.

The "uncertainty" Google alludes to dates back to last Autumn, when Verizon filed a lawsuit to force the FCC to abandon the open-access rules--the operator also proposed a two-tiered approach to the C block allowing sales of both locked and unlocked devices. But that was then and this is now: In December, Verizon changed course and announced "Any Apps, Any Device," an initiative promising to introduce open access nationwide by the end of 2008. And while Verizon's first Open Development Initiative conference in March raised as many questions as it answered, there is little or no evidence to suggest the carrier plans to renege on its open-access promises. Even as recently as last month, when Google finally admitted its sole rationale for entering the 700 MHz auction was to drive up bidding and guarantee the open access conditions were met, the company never expressed concern its strategy could backfire.

So why now? Google isn't publicly commenting on the FCC filing, so the legalese must speak for itself. "Verizon has taken the public position that it may exclude its handsets from the open access condition," the filing states. "Verizon believes it may force customers who want to access the open platform using a device not purchased from Verizon to go through 'Door No. 1,' while allowing customers who obtain their device from Verizon access through 'Door No. 2.' …[T]he open access condition would apply to none of Verizon's customers, and thereby render the condition a nullity. Because this 'two-door' position espoused by Verizon is contrary to the plain meaning of the rule, as well as the Commission's public interest findings and policy objectives set forth in the 700 MHz Second R&O, it must be rejected." In other words, Google argues Verizon has no intention of adhering to any rules but its own, despite the operator's public assurances to the contrary--an extraordinary claim for one firm to make against another, especially given the stakes involved. The auction may be over, but it looks like the pissing match is just beginning. -Jason

QUICKLINKS: Philips, Motorola and Microsoft submit white space devices to FCC; consumers satisfied by mobile options;

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:59:55 -0500

> Philips, Motorola and Microsoft submit white space devices to FCC. FierceWireless

> Study: Consumers satisfied by mobile options. FierceMobileContent

> Report: 46 million used mobile search services in Q3. FierceMobileContent

> Nokia closes German plant. FierceWireless

VZW: We will use Google's Android

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

During an interview with BusinessWeek, Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam said the carrier will support Google's recently announced open platform, Android. "We're planning on using Android," he said. "Android is an enabler of what we do."

McAdam said he led the charge toward the carrier's recent open access announcement, and the lead up involved meetings with the chairman of the FCC and late-night bull sessions with the top executives at parent company Verizon Communications.

So why wasn't Verizon Wireless a charter member of Google's Open Handset Alliance? "To get into that press release really didn't do anything," McAdam said. "We needed to understand the details of that operating system." Once Verizon Wireless engineers took a look at the details, the carrier not only decided that it would support the platform but that it would open its own network, too. "Android really facilitated this move," McAdam said. -Brian

For more on Verizon Wireless' open access move:
-read this BusinessWeek article

Related articles:
Verizon Wireless embraces open access. Now what?
Google unveils Android, Open Handset Alliance

Google faces a developer challenge of its own

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 06:59:59 -0500

Following a keynote appearance at last week's NewTeeVee conference in San Francisco, AT&T's wireless chief Ralph de la Vega said in an interview that the operator has talked with Google about joining its fledgling Open Handset Alliance. It didn't matter that de la Vega said only that AT&T was "analyzing the situation," declining to offer additional details of the discussions and even admitting he's never personally met with Google--in typical Internet fashion, headlines quickly proclaimed AT&T's membership in the OHA a done deal. Never mind that AT&T's exclusive iPhone contract with Apple reportedly restricts the carrier from partnering with Google, or that the search giant is making "the necessary preparations" to bid in the FCC's upcoming wireless spectrum auction, as a company representative told the Wall Street Journal. According to the WSJ, Google will enter January's 700MHz band auction sans partners--suffice it to say there's no chance AT&T or Verizon Wireless will join the OHA and collaborate on the Android platform if Google launches its own rival network.

But hey, at least AT&T expressed an interest in Android--so far, developers are shrugging their shoulders at the prospect of teaming with Google. According to The Seattle Times, which interviewed roughly a dozen mobile software firms, most downloaded the Android SDK released last week by the OHA, but none have immediate plans to begin developing applications for the platform, citing lingering questions with Android's overall direction as well as a reluctance to halt ongoing projects. It seems that not even the Android Developer Challenge, which will dole out $10 million in awards for innovative mobile applications created for the platform, is enough to convince firms to shift their focus. Android is open to developers--the problem, at least for now, is that developers aren't open to Android. -Jason

QUICKLINKS: Microsoft, Philips petition FCC for "white spaces" testing; Palm hints at loss, loses Treo engineer; and much more.

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 06:59:55 -0400

> Microsoft, Philips petition FCC for "white spaces" testing. Article

> Palm hints at loss, loses Treo engineer. FierceWireless

> HTC's USA chief Todd Achilles resigns. FierceWireless

> Peermeta scores $6 million in Series A. FierceMobileContent

> OpenAjax Alliance announces mobile initiatives. Release

iPhone scores FCC approval

Tue, 22 May 2007 06:59:57 -0400

The FCC approved Apple's iPhone for use on U.S. wireless networks. The documents submitted to the FCC, which refer to the device as "A1203," don't add many any new details. Only the GSM/GPRS test data has been posted so far. Juicier bits, like the user manual and device photos, will remain confidential until at least July 1. FCC Docs | FierceWireless' take

FCC approves HTC Herald

Tue, 01 May 2007 06:59:57 -0400

HTC P4350 "Herald" is only 17mm thick, but packs a 2-megapixel camera, 2.8" touchscreen, quad-band GSM/EDGE and WiFi. The T-Mobile version, recently approved by the FCC, will likely run Windows Mobile 6. Blog

FCC maintains flight phone ban

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:01:38 -0400

The FCC has elected to maintain its ban on the use of cell phones during airline flights. Three years ago the FCC agreed to re-examine the rule, but ultimately found that there was "insufficient technical information" about how cell phones in the air interact with cell towers below. The FCC also received many letters during its public comment phase urging it to keep the ban, though the agency says it ruled purely on technical constraints.

Conspiracy theories about crowd control notwithstanding, the main concern seems to be that a phone in flight could potentially tie up resources at dozens of cell towers as it continuously searches for the best tower. The FAA also maintains a separate ban on the use of cell phones in flight on the basis that they may interfere with aircraft avionics.

Nokia N95 coming to the U.S.

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 20:01:37 -0400

The FCC has approved the Nokia N95 for sale in the U.S. The phone will be available direct and unlocked from NokiaUSA.com, but the real question is if any U.S. carriers will pick it up. My guess is Cingular will eventually carry the device, but we'll have to wait and see. Recall the N95 is a high-end S60 smartphone with a 5-megapixel camera, GPS, WiFi and 160mb of built-in memory. Blog

QUICKLINKS: Glu Mobile IPO raises $84 million; Multiplayer Tetris; Much more...

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 20:01:35 -0400

Glu Mobile IPO raises $84 million. FierceMobileContent

EA Mobile announces multiplayer Tetris. FierceGameBiz

Ericsson's mobile JSF kit. Website

Free BlackJack ROM update. Blog

AdMob picks up $15 million in Series B funding. Release

Verizon wins a battle in the war against Vonage. Blog

Cingular Treo 750, BlackJack, and 8525 to get WM6 upgrade. Blog

Microsoft prototypes cameraphone bar code reader & web app. Article

Getting started with sound in Macromedia Flash Lite. How to

Ex-Nokia president launching ad-funded MVNO. FierceMobileContent

FCC will likely abandon plans to allow cell phones on flights. Article

CTIA to audit SMS programs. Release

A look at Web-based RSS aggregators. Blog