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700mHZ Open Spectrum auction debate heated up today - and the first wind I got on it was several visits to my 700mhz - The 700 MHZ Spectrum coming your way soon that I wrote last week.

But then I must have read 3 or 4 blog posts about the same thing including Johnon.com Google Bids $4.6 Billion for Open Spectrum where John Andrews remarked:

".. Unlike many pro-Google bloggers, I do not think this is a benevolent act by Google. And I don’t believe this is Google working to improve the world. However, the current (and former) telco industry has so screwed the consumer that I fear there is no way anything could be worse than the ad-filled, privacy-threatening GoogleView likely to come out of this."

"...Google is less of a threat than Verizon and the other telcos when it comes to spectrum allocation."

Google is now, in this instance, being highlighted not as a force for good (it's former persona) but the lessor of two evils.

Meanwhile Om Malik at GigaOM mentioned that Google will bid for Wireless Spectrum who confirmed that Google is in the auction to win and AT&T Responds to Google Bid with more mudslinging:

"..They are all trying to basically control the piece of spectrum that is going to be vacated when analog television shuts down. The spectrum is going to be auctioned off in February.

This morning, Eric Schmidt sent a letter to the FCC and said Google will also bid for the spectrum in the wireless auctions, and have indicated that they are going to bid a minimum of $4.6 billion, as per requirements. "

"...Google intends to be a bidder in wireless auctions for the 700 MHz spectrum, and their new proposal doesn’t sit well with AT&T. (Surprise! Surprise!) Jim Cicconi, AT&T Senior Executive Vice President, External and Legislative Affairs in a written statement emailed to us said:

Not satisfied with a compromise proposal from Chairman Martin that meets most of its conditions, Google has now delivered an all or nothing ultimatum to the U.S. Government, insisting that every single one of their conditions “must” be met or they will not participate in the spectrum auction. Google is demanding the Government stack the deck in its favor, limit competing bids, and effectively force wireless carriers to alter their business models to Google’s liking. We would repeat that Google should put up or shut up— they can bid and enter the wireless market with any business model they prefer, then let consumers decide which model they like best.

If $4.6 Billion is the minimum bid, what's the maximum bid for the 700 mHZ Open Spectrum? 

Engadget also weighted in by posting Google to bid on 700MHz spectrum if conditions are met, repeating the same story but without as much detail.

You what I think?

Someone needs to own that 700 mHZ Open Spectrum when it becomes available but I think each bidder should submit plans on what it plans to do with the spectrum if it wins any of the bids including the services and prices and availability after the 700mHZ Spectrum is acquired by the bidder.

And I don't hear anyone doing this ... yet.   I kind feel that selling the 700MHZ Spectrum to the higher bidder is not necessary the way to go.