Is Google Bidding? Think About It…

A number of folks don’t think Google will be bidding or will be bidding to win in the FCC’s 700 Mhz auction. I think this article from Reuters out of Davos offers us some insight…

Google CEO Predicts Mobile Ad ‘Revolution’

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) – The arrival of a truly mobile Web, offering a new generation of location-based advertising, is set to unleash a “huge revolution,” Google Inc Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said on Friday.

“It’s the recreation of the Internet, it’s the recreation of the PC (personal computer) story and it is before us — and it is very likely it will happen in the next year,” he told a panel at the World Economic Forum.

Really? It will happen in the next year?

“Current estimates for mobile advertising are cautious, with consultancy Forrester predicting revenues of under $1 billion by 2012.

But Schmidt said this figure was too low and failed to take into account the fact the mobile Web was reaching a tipping point.”

Even I think I’ve seen higher estimates recently but it feels like Eric may know something? It’s not clear who says;

“Google aims to be a prime mover by bidding for coveted airwaves to launch an open U.S. wireless network, pitting it against established telecommunications players. The move will take the Silicon Valley-based company well beyond its core Web search and online advertising franchises.”

But the following quote offers us even more from Eric…

“Some analysts are worried at the high costs involved but Schmidt said he was confident location-based advertising — which could, for example, direct hungry travelers to nearby restaurants — would be ‘a very, very good business.’”

What do you think?