Be it WiMAX, WiFi, GSM, CDMA, or LTE, mobile users are quickly becoming inundated with wireless network choices in their area. And, if Google has anything to say about it, the future of the mobile market might be more about network operators bidding for a chance to serve up wireless data/voice to your handset and less about tying you up in archaic contracts. Signing wireless contracts is getting old. How great would it be to actually have wireless network operators vying for your business?
A new patent application from the ever innovative folks at Google outlines a new “auction system” that could one day be used by your mobile phone to recommend, or automatically select, the best-value wireless network in your area. Depending on a particular user’s needs for bandwidth, calling/data features, frequency support, etc., Google’s auction system algorithms will purportedly seek out the best deals in the area (assuming you have enough wireless variety in your area to actually require complex algorithms to sort through them all). The instant auction system could potentially have your mobile phone hopping between networks depending on your changing wireless needs throughout the day.
But, we have a feeling that those mega-bucks lobbyists working to line politicians’ campaign coffers on behalf of wireless carriers are going to be working overtime to keep this kind of technology from ever making it to market.
Google wireless auction system patent
[Via: textually]