The 700 Mhz Spectrum in Canada

As some of you may already know, Google announced that it would be bidding for the 700 Mhz spectrum that is set to be auctioned off in the United States. For more details on what all this 700 Mhz garbage is all about, you could read this article or listen to Leo Laporte's Tech Guy podcast at about the 1 hour 19 minute mark.

In 2011, Canada will be undergoing a similar change. The question is who will control it? Will it be auctioned off to the highest bidder without regard for "openess" and the competition that this country desperately needs. We are already ripped off for data and cellular by Bell and Rogers (see previous iPhone posting) , it would be wonderful to have a cheaper alternative that, in many parts of the country, would work better than today's options.

Perhaps the government should consider setting up another crown corporation like the CBC or maybe federal regulation is a better route. Either way, we'll all just have to sit back and wait to see what the CRTC decides to do, which will likely be nothing until the debate is settled in the States.