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Besides everything that has been already mentioned, there's another glaring reason Google would be unwise to do this: Antitrust. Google is already being consi
by rkaplan 14y ago
Besides everything that has been already mentioned, there's another glaring reason Google would be unwise to do this:
Antitrust.
Google is already being considered for an antitrust investigation by the DoJ. This makes sense, given their dominance in search and the tremendous network of complementary products in their massive ecosystem. (Note that I am not asserting that it makes sense for the DoJ to take regulatory action against Google -- merely that it is reasonable for them to take a closer look).
With a carrier on their hands, in addition to a device manufacturer (Motorola), a dominant mobile OS, search, AdSense, Fiber, tons of spectrum, YouTube, etc., it is unlikely they will be able to avoid antitrust regulation.
- mbreese 14y agoGoogle would get no anti-trust scrutiny for this (not that I think it is a good idea). Google doesn't have a monopoly on smart phones, so there really isn't a reason why the DoJ would really look at Google buying the number 4 carrier. Even if you note there were a mobile OS manufacturer, that owned a handset maker, they aren't overwhelmingly dominant in any of those areas. So, realistically, they wouldn't be able to use their dominance in search against any existing player in mobile. I think the biggest reason to not do it is $30B. :)