Apple Mulling Spectrum Bid
Sep 10, 2007, 8:46 AM by (staff)
Apple is considering entering the FCC spectrum auction set for January 16, 2008. Apple has enough cash to make a bid in the auction, which starts with a minimum of $4.6 billion, though winning any spectrum will likely take up to $9 billion. If Apple were to enter the auction it would represent a large shift in strategy for the company, which has focused more on selling devices rather than services. Winning spectrum could lead to a different way for Apple to deliver content to the iPhone without partnerships with wireless companies such as AT&T.
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Comments
But what kind of content?
They seemed quite vague about it. Everyone seems to be assuming this will be a voice/data network like the kinds that at&t and VZW employs.
For all we know, this might be either a Data Only Network or a Mobile TV Network (like Qualcomm's Mediaflow)
If this is a case, at&t and Apple's relationship would become stronger rather than weaker since at&t would probably want to use the network for their own bundled offerings as well.
For all we know, this might be either a Data Only Network or a Mobile TV Network (like Qualcomm's Mediaflow)
If this is a case, at&t and Apple's relationship would become stronger rather than weaker since at&t would probably want to use the network for their own bundled offerings as well.
or porn! 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
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There could be any kind of content that you think of that is currently on TV or on your laptop. In addition, if they use advertising model they could offer those services for free or minimal charges.
What if it happens- what if it doesn't...
I have no idea how on earth Apple would build out their network- they still have infrastructure and support issues to deal with. Let alone, what wireless technology? (My guess would be something like WiMax, but you never know.)
Apple clearly isn't happy with the options available now, though. It's funny, because you don't realize how good we have it here until you go to say... Europe, and pay per kilobyte for data!
That said, I know better than to wage against Apple. They know what they're doing. Their first cell phone beats the living snot out of more established manufacturer's decades of work. No, it's not perfect, but even if it's a few steps back in a category there's no overlooking the fact it's a quantum leap from what we had....
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Apple clearly isn't happy with the options available now, though. It's funny, because you don't realize how good we have it here until you go to say... Europe, and pay per kilobyte for data!
That said, I know better than to wage against Apple. They know what they're doing. Their first cell phone beats the living snot out of more established manufacturer's decades of work. No, it's not perfect, but even if it's a few steps back in a category there's no overlooking the fact it's a quantum leap from what we had....
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It depends what the FCC sets the 700mhz auction rules to be and what that spectrum is designated for. Could be CDMA, Wimax, or any other technology. They could release a TV type network such as Qualcomm’s MediaFlo. Problem with 700mhz is that there ...
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Great Idea
I would love to see Apple and Google run with the 700meg spectrum. I think most users are sick and tired of the crap the big 4 cell carriers dole out to its customers.
Not gana happen since Google is teamed with sprint in the new WiMAX network
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well as you know, Google has a partnership with Sprint with Wimax but buying more spectrum by either Apple or Google might allow some newer devices and networks to come into play, which will allow for more competition and then the bigger companies in ...
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Wouldn't that be kind of a disaster?
AT&T has the rights to the iPhone for the next...what is it, 3 years? So what would Apple do if they entered the auction? I don't see them selling phones made by other manufacturers. So what's the point?
just this generation of iPhone. So that means that anything new is all on apple. Although I think it would be smarter on their part to have their own line up of devices and run as an MVNO.
I would think that buying the spectrum would take time, and time to figure out how they would deploy service. Probably around the time they ready to launch the exclusive agreement with AT&T would near be over - and they could launch iService -or whate...
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There's a five year US exclusivity agreement on the current model iPhone. But keep in mind that the auction isn't even taking place until early 2008 and whoever wins will have to spend time building the necessary infrastructure.
I don't see Apple ...
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I don't see Apple ...
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Well, Apple can’t just sit on the current plans and that is it especially as a publicly traded company. they must come up with new services to give to their customers. therefore, this current Iphone is obviously locked up for multiple years but obvi...
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The spectrum isn't due to be held back to the government until 2009. By then any contract Apple has w/ AT&T will have been satisfied.
