The FCC isn’t the only organisation sitting on a newly-available chunk of spectrum; UK media regulator Ofcom is in a similar situation, with the ongoing switch-over from analogue to digital TV - set to be completed by 2012 - freeing up enough frequency space for a “nationwide mobile network”.  Ofcom have confirmed that they’re watching the US auction process closely, perhaps hoping that, should it be the success the FCC are expecting, they will have a similar experience when they set out their stall come 2009.

“We have a lot of interest in innovation and talk to the FCC regularly … We would be interested to discover if Google have an interest in the UK.  They are bidding in the US and we are extremely interested [in that]” Ed Richards, CEO, Ofcom

The prediction that Google is planning a US wireless network of their own has lost a little credibility over the past months, as the suspicion grew that the search company over-stressed their intention to bid in order to secure open-access clauses in the FCC contract.  Nevertheless, with Google - and rivals - citing FCC confidentiality rules every time they’re asked for specific details, there still could be a surprise outcome.

Meanwhile, the UK situation might be sufficiently different from that of the US to discourage Google (or indeed any other company outside the existing cellular telcos) participation.  An advanced market and pre-existing networks with advanced next-gen data capacity, together with a greater degree of competitiveness between carriers, could make it difficult even for a major tech player such as Google to effectively penetrate.