Google's open
software initiative, which centers around the operating system Android, aims to free up the mobile Web to make it more like the traditional Internet. Another potential plus for consumers, aside
from an improvement in mobile Web software and innovation, is a decrease in the cost of handsets and wireless subscriptions.
However, such a rosy future would come at great cost--and risk--to Google. The company has to win the FCC auction, which would cost an estimated $4.6 billion. It would then have to build the wireless network out at another cost of several billions. Time is another factor-it might take years before the network is complete. It has until Dec. 3 to make its intentions known to the FCC.