Google + Sprint + Clearwire = wireless broadband & gPhone!

By raheem

Rumors are abounding on the internet that Google is coming out with a mobile phone. But that’s not even the big story. Last week, Google and Sprint announced a partnership on broadband mobile internet services. Among other things, Google and Sprint’s partnership aim to offer customers “a new form of interactive communications, high speed Internet browsing, local and location-centric services, and multimedia services including music, video, TV and on-demand products.”

It does not end there, Sprint quit the cable team too. Sprint and the cable guys had teamed up last year and bought some wireless spectrum, which has been sitting still since they got it in November 2006. But wait, there is more – Google was successful last week in getting the FCC to allow open wireless networks. And just to be safe, Sprint has partnered with Clearwire to build a nationwide high speed wireless network. Sprint and Clearwire specifically mention plans to build an “open Internet over a robust wireless broadband network.”

All this to me signals some major plans. Certainly the gPhone is a real possibility and here is why – the only thing missing in the Sprint-Google partnership is a strong device. Sprint has the network, Google brings search and applications. With a bangup device, they would be filling up the entire piece.

This is great for the American consumer – we wont have to wait for Verizon and ATT to give us the services we demand! Its going to be great for mom and pop entrepreneurs, as this will certainly offer new business models for making money on the internet. Its going to be even better for tech startups – a whole new suite of services will be needed for the mobile broadband. Its also going to be a crazy for the big players too, like those in Telecom, in media, in advertising, etc. So here are some predictions for 2008:1. Wireless Broadband will arrive in 2008 (That was easy)
2. Sprint and Clearwire stock is headed up
3. Google will face its first anti-trust investigations
4. Surfing the net is going to be even more fantastic next year! Awesome!!!!