Toward a freer Android

A little bit of research suggests that this is, indeed, the 700MHz LTE data service they were competing with Google for on what are called the "Block-C" frequencies.

Why is this worth noting?

Well, it will provide a (very) high-speed IP data service to retail end users, who can run *any* protocol over it, using radios made by any manufacturer: there will likely be quite a bit more competition than previously since manufacturers merely need to meet the type-acceptance and network compatibility specs to be approved.

And when I say "any" protocol, I explicitly mean to include VOiP, which the TOS of all older cell-data protocols has explicitly forbidden.

If no wheels fall off the train on the way, this opens the door for Open Handsets that are actually *more* capable than current generation cellphones: there's enough bandwidth to support robust Forward Error Correction in both directions; you can use the carrier's gateway, or connect to your PBX; PTT over Cellular is a mere application install away (as long as the handset design *includes the friggin button*!! grrr); and finally, at 700MHz, it will have even better range and building penetration than Nextel, which is generally *much* better than 1900MHz "PCS" cell phones.

Plus, y'know, email, IM, web data, tethering, and none of it collides while you're using other stuff.

So, if we can get interchangeable radios in, say, CF-II format, and open handsets that let you plug the radio in, and can roam to WiFi when available... well, Bob's our uncle.

That Android's available to *run* on such hardware (and has OpenMoko, the Nokia stack, etc, to compete with)... gravy.

(No, I don't get money from any of those people. :-)