Part of Google's ruling triumvirate, co-founder Larry Page, appeared on Capitol Hill to talk about broadband and other topics, like the ability to deliver wireless high-speed Internet within the 700MHz spectrum.
Now that FCC requirements on not discussing the wireless spectrum auction have passed, Google disclosed a little information about the process and their participation.
Verizon won the FCC auction for the soon-to-be available wireless 700MHz wireless spectrum, in bidding that may have involved Google at some point in the process.
In the parlance of online auctions, the reserve price has been met, in this case for a swath of 700MHz spectrum being freed up by TV broadcasters in 2009.
The big prize, a slice of spectrum covering the US, has stalled at a bid of $4.29 billion, under the Federal Communication Commission's reserve price of $4.6 billion.
The 700MHz wireless spectrum auction on January 24th opens with 214 bidders chasing the big prize, with Google competing with an assortment of telecoms both big and small.
The 700MHz wireless spectrum auction taking place in 2008 will have 96 bidders seeking this lucrative slice of the airwaves.
Verizon has been lobbying for changes to the 700MHz wireless auction that would remove an open access requirement permitting subscribers to use any handset they like with that spectrum.
Verizon Wireless has sued to prevent the eventual winner of the 700MHz wireless spectrum from conforming with FCC requirements for open devices and applications.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt ascended to the Aspen Summit to discuss what freedom and openness means to his company and its customers.