Like a politician making campaign promises, Google has announced its involvement in the launch of the "Internet for Everyone" campaign. Unlike politicians, we actually know what the campaign is all about from the title and there's a higher chance of Google carrying out this platform than politicians keeping their promises.
The "Internet for Everyone" campaign is based on four principles: Access, Choice, Openness, and Innovation. Yup, that sounds like Google. Here's a brief history.
- In August of 2006, Google makes Wifi available for free in the city of Mountain View, California, where their headquarters are located.
- One year later, Google announces its plans to lobby for "white spaces" on unused TV spectrum, in the hopes of expanding wireless internet. Google has been very vocal about this push in 2008 as well.
- October 2007 - Google announces OpenSocial, a set of common APIs designed to work with social networks participating in the initiative.
- November 2007 - After months of speculation about Google releasing its own mobile phone, the rumors are laid to rest with the announcement of a mobile platform, Android. Google's plans for open spectrum come into clear view.
- In March 2008, the FCC holds a spectrum auction. Though Google does not win, they bid high enough to force Verizon, the winner of the C block spectrum, to open the spectrum open to third-party applications and handsets. And just to let everyone know they're paying attention, one month later Google releases a reminder to Verizon and the FCC to keep the spectrum open.
- Later that month, Google teams with MySpace and Yahoo to form the OpenSocial Foundation, to promote the development of cross-platform applications, driven by an open community.
- May 2008 - Google joins a coalition of investors supporting Sprint and Clearwire's combining of their WiMax businesses.
- Last month, Google launches "Friend Connect," which enables developers to create social media applications that can span several networking sites as well as be expanded to non-social sites.
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