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Apple Considering Participating in FCC Wireless Auction?
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cliffjumper68
macrumors regular
Slim chance with Google competing for the spectrum, but it would be cool. I was hoping sprint would get the iphone so it could take advantage of the up comming wi-Max network.
savar
macrumors 68000
Wasn't the iphone supposed to revolutionize the wireless industry? No vendor lockin, no contracts, no subsidies, etc...just consumer freedom?
I would love to see that happen. Apple is one of a few companies who have the guts to do it. You're right though, it's way outside of their line of business. I think Wall Street would see it as a big mistake.
There is no way Apple is considering this...
Apple is a technology company that sells products. If they were forced to bid $9 billion dollars for this frequency range, that is $9 billion less that they have for research and development. They would also have to integrate this into their current business model and if something happened to their network, everybody would point the finger at Apple. At least using a separate carrier such as At&t, if something happens to the network, Apple is an innocent bystander.
Fact is that Apple is increasing their marketshare of both the desktop and laptop markets. This is being helped by the i-Pods intuitive interface and now the i-Phone. People like to feel "cool" and Apple creates cool products that are also fashionable.
As long as Apple continues growing the computer division and gain market share and industry respect, I think they will hunker down and focus on these parts of the business model.
Roocka
Apple is a technology company that sells products. If they were forced to bid $9 billion dollars for this frequency range, that is $9 billion less that they have for research and development. They would also have to integrate this into their current business model and if something happened to their network, everybody would point the finger at Apple. At least using a separate carrier such as At&t, if something happens to the network, Apple is an innocent bystander.
Fact is that Apple is increasing their marketshare of both the desktop and laptop markets. This is being helped by the i-Pods intuitive interface and now the i-Phone. People like to feel "cool" and Apple creates cool products that are also fashionable.
As long as Apple continues growing the computer division and gain market share and industry respect, I think they will hunker down and focus on these parts of the business model.
Roocka
Apple - Internet Provider for iPods and Macs
I don't know exactly the capabilities of this new network, but can it become a wifi network that is a phone and internet network?
Through this network you can make phone calls and get onto the internet via iphone and ipod touch, but what if all Apple computers can get onto it as well? laptops and desktops? Apple would be your wireless internet provider wherever you go. This can be tied in with their .mac subscription program, which steve has promised to improve.
If this network benefits more than just the ipods, I think it becomes a better business plan for Apple to own, operate and control. I hear the 700Mhz is faster connection than cellular and wifi networks but is it faster than cable and DSL connections?
I wonder how this network is applicable for the rest of the world. Can Apple setup on similar 700Mhz frequencies in other countries too? If they can, then all apple ipods (including iphones) and macs can equately operate with the clouds through this frequency. Or else, Apple will have to have different chips for different machines in different countries, like they do for iphones for the US and Europe.
I don't know exactly the capabilities of this new network, but can it become a wifi network that is a phone and internet network?
Through this network you can make phone calls and get onto the internet via iphone and ipod touch, but what if all Apple computers can get onto it as well? laptops and desktops? Apple would be your wireless internet provider wherever you go. This can be tied in with their .mac subscription program, which steve has promised to improve.
If this network benefits more than just the ipods, I think it becomes a better business plan for Apple to own, operate and control. I hear the 700Mhz is faster connection than cellular and wifi networks but is it faster than cable and DSL connections?
I wonder how this network is applicable for the rest of the world. Can Apple setup on similar 700Mhz frequencies in other countries too? If they can, then all apple ipods (including iphones) and macs can equately operate with the clouds through this frequency. Or else, Apple will have to have different chips for different machines in different countries, like they do for iphones for the US and Europe.
zwida
macrumors 6502a
It may be little more than a dream, but I like your speculation. As for the 700 Mhz band, Apple would need to negotiate with each locality as countries regulate frequencies individually.