Google eyeing U.K. spectrum?

According to an unsourced report in the U.K.'s Guardian, Google is interested in bidding on the spectrum that Ofcom wants to auction next year. Yesterday, Ofcom announced its intent to loosen restrictions on 2G spectrum [1] so that carriers in the country could build out their 3G services. While the report is still in rumor mode, it piggybacks on Google's efforts to convince the FCC to create "open access" requirements for the upcoming 700 MHz auction [2] in the U.S. Google has said it would "probably" bid in the auction, which is slated to take place in late January. A recent lawsuit filed by Verizon Wireless [3] against the FCC because of the "open access" provisions, however, could threaten to delay the auction, according to some analysts.

For more on Google's rumored U.K. spectrum plans:
- read this article [4] from the Guardian