Google testing new wireless network, asks FCC to keep details secret

This is super misleading. This spectrum is part of the sprint roll out of TD-LTE on clearwire's 2.5ghz. They expect to light the first portions in summer 2013 and have said handsets will be available that can use the spectrum in 3Q13.

The equipment is undisclosed because sprint's TD-LTE basestation vendor is as yet undisclosed and isnt one of the existing chinese firms. Google needs a place to test the handset chipsets but has to have a experimental license since none have fcc approval.

The analyst pushing this story is totally aware that's what's going on - the fact that he fails to mention it at all while talking up longshot deals means all he's doing is market spin.

The firm he works for provides services for institutional investors and hedge funds and includes an "event driven strategies" group which amounts to people you can hire to influence M&A events to your benefit.

If you look at their coverage they are clearly working for someone trying to drive the price up on the sprint clearwire deal. The more you talk up other uses of the spectrum, however unlikely, the more pressure it puts on sprint to up their bid for clearwire under the shadow of the fcc stepping in if washington can be convinced the spectrum is being undervalued.

Basically he's just somebody you can hire to manipulate the press to benefit your investment positions. Truth or reality doesn't enter in to the equation.

Pretty much every FCC application requests at least limited confidentiality. This in itself should not suggest Google is doing anything crafty or secretive or even unusual.

What else Google has left for others? Is it really a beast?