The Washington Post has an interesting article on Google's plans for the upcoming 700 MHz auction, which focuses squarely on the company's ability to navigate Washington DC. Among the more striking lines: Google's "2006 congressional lobbying budget of about $770,000, according to public disclosures, is dwarfed by the $21 million spent by AT&T and $14.4 million spent by Verizon the same year." In spite of the company's small lobbying budget, it has made some inroads at the FCC and with some Democrat lawmakers. That said, a source at the FCC told the newspaper Google may want to curb its arrogant tone during meetings: "They're used to getting what they want rather than having to make a case for what they want," said the FCC staffer.
For more on Google's plans:
- read this write-up in the Post