WSJ on Google's plan for mobile phones

[yesthattom]

http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB119517445580795065.html

Some carriers have privately expressed skepticism about Google’s ambitions, saying it is vastly underestimating the challenges of operating a network, providing customer service and gaining traction as a new entrant in a crowded wireless market.

Difficult to run a cell network? THEY don’t know how difficult it is. Most carriers pay other companies to set up the cell towers, the hardware vendors design the cell towers and the entire networks, the software that handles customer care is purchased from third-party providers, the software that activates new customers, enables/disables phones and does billing are all bought by third-parties. The companies that claim it’s difficult don’t even know how difficult it is.

I’m not in a position to know anything about what Google is going to do. I don’t know what Google is going to do. However, if I had billions in the bank and wanted to start selling cell phone service I’m sure Fred’s House Of Cell Tower Installation would answer my phone calls just like they do for any other carrier.

When I worked at Lucent (who makes the 5ESS phone switch that drives the land-line carrier networks globally) I was amazed to find out that Lucent visited each and every one to do software upgrades, installations, etc. The companies like AT&T and others weren’t even running their own network. They just manage contracts, take TV adverts, and collect payments.