Google Shrewdly Plays Wireless Bid

Don't expect Google(GOOG Quote) to win the upcoming wireless spectrum auction.

But in many ways, the company already may have the prize it wanted. What's more, losing the auction actually may serve the search giant's purposes more than winning would have.

Google said last Friday that it would bid on the 700-megahertz spectrum the Federal Communications Commission is auctioning beginning Jan. 24. Previously used for television broadcasts, the spectrum is highly powerful and could help the search giant make good on its highly ambitious plans for the mobile Internet market. ...