Federal Communications Commission

From robot cars to wind farms, Google's expansive ambitions have taken it into some surprising corners of the tech field. Here's another it could tackle: Becoming your telephone company.

The search company dabbles in selling phones

The search company dabbles in selling phones, it licenses the ultra-popular Android smartphone operating system, and it is trying its hand at becoming an Internet service provider.

But its biggest weapon is Google Voice, the hit low-cost calling service that launched in May 2009. Just five months later, the service had 1.4 million users -- nearly half of whom were using it every single day.

The planet as possible

"Google's various efforts are anyway you look at it focused on being able to reach as many people on the planet as possible, now that is not something they can fully accomplish just by licensing out Android," says Ari Zoldan, CEO of Quantum Networks, which supplies equipment for Sprint's WiMax network. "If Google could find an easy way to transition into the cell space and provide mobile coverage, there would be some very serious advantages to that."

Buying the infrastructure: In 2008, Google put in a bid to buy wireless spectrum to provide mobile Internet access -- spectrum that ultimately went to Verizon for its new 4G network. Rumors that Google is buying up "dark fiber," broadband cables that have been laid now are not in use, have been widely circulated, even though never confirmed.

Connecting clients: In February, the company announced that it will become an Internet provider of "ultra high-speed broadband" for up to 500,000 clients for a U.S. city. That project is still in accordance with development, nevertheless Google is about to start testing its service out at Stanford University.

Google already allows people to bypass their mobile carrier's service. Google Voice lets clients send free text messages, and the new version of Android supports VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Internet calling, allowing users to make calls over over Wi-Fi networks.

Operating system: Google designs and licenses the fastest-selling smartphone operating system on the planet: Every day, about 300,000 new Android devices are activated. Android is free for device manufacturers to license, so it has caught on like wildfire. Google makes money by driving search traffic on Android phones.

Selling phones: Before this year, the search giant decided to experiment with selling the Nexus One Android phone directly to consumers online. Even though it was hardly successful, Google laid the foundation for a future in retail.

The straightway steps

The straightway steps: So what does it all add up to? Would Google in effect be willing to give up its strong relationships with the carriers, most notably Verizon -- the largest network -- to go head-to-head with them in the wireless space?

It's not likely in the short run. Google's Android is the hottest item in the mobile market, and the company relies on carriers to adopt its software and drive clients to its search site.

Real opportunity down the road

But it's a real opportunity down the road. The Federal Communications Commission recently failed to enact strong Net neutrality rules for the wireless community. That leaves open the option for carriers to restrict their subscribers' access to some of Google's offerings.

There have already been a few skirmishes. Verizon has made Microsoft's Bing the default search engine in some of its Android phones, depriving Google of that coveted spot, and it took more than a year of fighting to make Google Voice available for iPhone users.

Day into clients' hands via the existing carriers

As long as Google can get 300,000 new phones a day into clients' hands via the existing carriers, and as long as those devices allow consumers to download anything they want, there's no reason for them to compete, says Forrester Innovation analyst Jeffrey Hammond.

Certainly, there would be some hurdles for Google to clear. Google would likely face extensive regulatory scrutiny if it were to become a wireless provider. It has very little customer service or retail experience. And becoming a data provider is an expensive new business that could weigh on its margins.

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