Google mulls next moves on U.S. wireless networks

A Google search page is seen through the spectacles of a computer user in Leicester, central England July 20, 2007.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc confirmed on Thursday it had been an active bidder in recent U.S. auctions for licenses to create a national wireless network and that it will weigh in as regulators set new rules.

In a statement, the Internet services leader said it planned to remain active in rule-making by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission that will govern how Verizon Communications, the winning bidder for the "C Block" of nationwide wireless spectrum, will operate its network.

"In ten of the bidding rounds we actually raised our own bid -- even though no one was bidding against us -- to ensure aggressive bidding on the C Block," Google said. Active bidding ensured the rules designed to make these networks more open to independent Web services will be implemented, it said.

The Silicon Valley company also said it will weigh in on new rules the FCC may set as it re-auctions airwaves that are to be shared between public safety agencies and commercial service providers -- the "D Block" in the auctions.

"As more policymakers and regulators around the world evaluate their own spectrum policies, we'll continue pushing to help make the wireless world look much more like the open platform of the Internet," the company said in its statement.

(Reporting by Eric Auchard; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)