I recently had an interesting discussion with a telecommunications executive about Google. He loves the way Google creates demand that increases the percentage of potential subscribers who buy his broadband Internet services; he hates Google’s penchant for giving away services for free. Most of all, he hates Google’s avowed ambition for “world domination.”

“Will Google get into the wireless telephony business?” I asked.

“No, the high cost of installing and operating a mobile phone business is far too expensive,” he said, “even for a cash-rich company like Google.”

But he was quick to point out that Google’s bluffs in that direction have already caused Verizon and AT&T to announce they are opening their networks to non-proprietary phones. The Open Handset Alliance and Google’s intention to bid in the 700 mHz spectrum auction next month has the big carriers churning.

Isn’t competition interesting?

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