Google puts ‘money where principles are,’ says it will bid in 700 MHz auction: Search giant looks at open-access C Block

Google Inc. is in! The Internet search engine giant said it will participate-alone-in the 700 MHz auction set to begin Jan. 24.
“We believe it’s important to put our money where our principles are,” said Eric Schmidt, chairman and CEO of Google. “Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today’s wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet.”
Google, based in Mountain View, Calif., said it will file a short-form application with the Federal Communications Commission on Dec. 3, the deadline for the filing. Prospective bidders for the 1,099 wireless licenses-which could generate up to $15 billion for the U.S. Treasury-must then submit upfront payments by Dec. 28.
Google did not specify what exactly it would bid on, but indicated it was interested in the 22 megahertz open-access C Block. That block has a $4.6 billion minimum bid requirement.
Verizon Wireless’ announcement earlier this week that it would allow third-party devices and applications on its mobile-phone network by the end of next year sparked speculation on whether the move might dissuade Google from bidding in the auction-and thus remove it as a competitor to Verizon Wireless in the spectrum sweepstakes.
However, the FCC’s anonymous bidding process will prevent the identities of winning bidders from being revealed until after the auction closes, perhaps in March.