Jump to content

Google becoming a wireless carrier?


UndeadNexus

Recommended Posts

Not sure if this has been posted already.

 

"The Wall Street Journal on Thursday reported that Google has held talks with satellite television provider Dish Network (DISH) regarding the possibility of a venture that would see Google launch its own cellular network and compete directly with the likes of Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T)"

 

 

http://bgr.com/2012/...reless-carrier/

 

 

However, this is just a possibility and could lead to nowhere. In the event that it actually happens, would any of you guys make the switch?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Only if I can have totally unlimited, with no hidden clause on data, for less than $45/mo, otherwise, I'm sticking with Sprint.

I have my doubts about that. Google will probably go with tiered plans but offering more data than Verizon or AT&T.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If I could get the same deal I have on my old grandfathered SERO plan, maybe. On the other hand, Sprint has been good to me - it would actually take a lot to make me switch...

 

uploadfromtaptalk1353051818102.jpg

 

Sent from Photon Q LTE - Tapatalk

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Only if I can have totally unlimited, with no hidden clause on data, for less than $45/mo, otherwise, I'm sticking with Sprint.

...and expect to have your data stored and sold for that low price. :lol:

 

Seriously though, would be nice for there to be more competition. Wireless plan prices are crazy expensive!

 

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Personaly I think if they wanted to go that route it would have been with Sprint. More likely than not they will sign a deal for somebody to provide wireless for them to bundle with their home internet service. Running their own cellular system would create two issues for them. The first would be disgruntled customers trolling the internets and smearing Googles name. The second would be creating animosity with the cellular providors. Would they be willing to sell a product from a competitor?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In my dream scenario Google would come to Sprint with buckets of cash and say only sell Android phones and Tablets, give customers 10G of data a month and price it at 60 per month out the door and we will infuse you with more money than you can imagine. Build the biggest baddest LTE network in under 2 years. I know I'm ridiculous but still.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can see both Google and Apple eventually becoming wireless MVNO's. At some point, the traditional carriers will not be able to subsidize handsets to the degree that they are now and the handset manufacturers will have to earn their money some other way. While Google has ads/search, Apple does not.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, T-Mobile's CEO Alling, thinks that eventually there will be only 3 US carriers:

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-16/t-mobile-usa-sees-three-national-networks-over-long-term.html

 

Does the entry of Dish in the cellular service arena allow the FCC and DOJ to approve a Sprint/T-Mobile merger without loss of competition?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dish doesn't have enough spectrum to be able to compete effectively on its own. A merger between either Sprint or T-Mobile with Dish would probably be approved, but not one between Sprint and T-Mobile themselves.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can see both Google and Apple eventually becoming wireless MVNO's. At some point, the traditional carriers will not be able to subsidize handsets to the degree that they are now and the handset manufacturers will have to earn their money some other way. While Google has ads/search, Apple does not.

 

Phones get cheaper all the time. Soon we won't need to subsidize any smartphone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's why they are rumored to have bought $900M of Clearwire's debt. Exchange it for some of Clearwire's spectrum. Couple the 20+20 of spectrum they have with some 10+10 from the upcoming TV spectrum auction and all of a sudden they're pretty credible as far as handset oriented cellular is concerned. Ultimately, if they want to implement VOD they will need Clearwire's spectrum.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Phones get cheaper all the time. Soon we won't need to subsidize any smartphone.

 

Yeah, but Apple will need to do something to maintain their high margins. The reason phones are getting cheaper is because Google is not making any money on their Nexus phones and is hoping to make it up by search/ads income. The same way that Amazon is making it up by forcing you to use their "content".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I honestly don't see any other provider coming and and putting together the money and wherwithal to build any true infrastructure, especially nationwide. If anything, they would have to set up a hosting agreement with a current provider and realistically that only leaves Sprint/T-Mobile.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Phones are getting cheaper because technology advances and competition. While our phones are impressive, they aren't that expensive to manufacture.

 

I don't see the current top of the line handsets as cheap. Even at somebody like Voyager Mobile, the GS III costs $549, which is not exactly cheap. Unlocked iPhone is $649. So, I don't know where you're drawing the line between cheap and expensive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I bet it'll be a gsm based carrier.

Anyone know what spectrum dish owns?

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I bet it'll be a gsm based carrier.

Anyone know what spectrum dish owns?

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

I believe 6ish mhz of unpaired 700mhz. I do not believe it is nationwide either. They also own 40mhz of S-band/AWS-4, which I believe is currently 2000-2020 to 2200-2220. However, that could be moved to 2005-2025 if sprint is able to convince the FCC to use the 2000-2005 as a buffer and sell off the PCS H block.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Would gsm have enough bandwidth to support VoIP? HSDPA+ and HSUPA?

 

 

 

Sent from my Evo 4G LTE

 

If 2g networks only use 10kbps for voice, wouldn't HSPA+ be fine? Not sure how gsm works though.

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • large.unreadcontent.png.6ef00db54e758d06

  • gallery_1_23_9202.png

  • Posts

    • In the conference call they had two question on additional spectrum. One was the 800 spectrum. They are not certain what will happen, thus have not really put it into their plans either way (sale or no sale). They do have a reserve level. Nationwide 800Mhz is seen as great for new technologies which I presume is IOT or 5g slices.  T-Mobile did not bite on use of their c-band or DOD.  mmWave rapidly approaching deadlines not mentioned at all. FWA brushes on this as it deals with underutilized spectrum on a sector by sector basis.  They are willing to take more money to allow FWA to be mobile (think RV or camping). Unsure if this represents a higher priority, for example, FWA Mobile in RVs in Walmart parking lots working where mobile phones need all the capacity. In terms of FWA capacity, their offload strategy is fiber through joint ventures where T-Mobile does the marketing, sales, and customer support while the fiber company does the network planning and installation.  50%-50% financial split not being consolidated into their books. I think discussion of other spectrum would have diluted the fiber joint venture discussion. They do have a fund which one use is to purchase new spectrum. Sale of the 800Mhz would go into this. It should be noted that they continue to buy 2.5Ghz spectrum from schools etc to replace leases. They will have a conference this fall  to update their overall strategies. Other notes from the call are 75% of the phones on the network are 5g. About 85% of their sites have n41, n25, and n71, 90% 5g.  93% of traffic is on midband.  SA is also adding to their performance advantage, which they figure is still ahead of other carriers by two years. It took two weeks to put the auction 108 spectrum to use at their existing sites. Mention was also made that their site spacing was designed for midrange thus no gaps in n41 coverage, while competitors was designed for lowband thus toggles back and forth for n77 also with its shorter range.  
    • The manual network selection sounds like it isn't always scanning NR, hence Dish not showing up. Your easiest way to force Dish is going to be forcing the phone into NR-only mode (*#*#4636#*#* menu?), since rainbow sims don't support SA on T-Mobile.
    • "The company’s unique multi-layer approach to 5G, with dedicated standalone 5G deployed nationwide across 600MHz, 1.9GHz, and 2.5GHz delivers customers a consistently strong experience, with 85% of 5G traffic on sites with all three spectrum bands deployed." Meanwhile they are very close to a construction deadline June 1 for 850Mhz of mmWave in most of Ohio covering 27500-28350Mhz expiring 6/8/2028. No reported sightings.  Buildout notice issue sent by FCC in March 5, 2024 https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/letterPdf/LetterPdfController?licId=4019733&letterVersionId=178&autoLetterId=13060705&letterCode=CR&radioServiceCode=UU&op=LetterPdf&licSide=Y&archive=null&letterTo=L  No soecific permits seen in a quick check of Columbus. They also have an additional 200Mhz covering at 24350-25450 Mhz and 24950-25050Mhz with no buildout date expiring 12/11/2029.
    • T-Mobile Delivers Industry-Leading Customer, Service Revenue and Profitability Growth in Q1 2024, and Raises 2024 Guidance https://www.t-mobile.com/news/business/t-mobile-q1-2024-earnings — — — — — I find it funny that when they talk about their spectrum layers they're saying n71, n25, and n41. They're completely avoiding talking about mmWave.
    • Was true in my market. Likely means a higher percentage of 5g phones in your market.
  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...