Microsoft and Google are pretty much mortal enemies in many aspects of their various businesses, but there"s at least one topic of discussion that the two companies are teaming up to support; the launch of free large WiFi networks in the US.
The Washington Post reports that the Federal Communications Commission have proposed a plan that could lead to powerful WiFi networks that would be set up to cover large metropolitan areas, along with many rural areas, in the US. Microsoft and Google, in written comments made to the FCC last week, support the department"s proposal.
The two companies want more devices to connect to the Internet, which would also allow the owners of those devices to quickly connect to services from Google and Microsoft, including the recently launched cloud-based Office 2013 Home Premium.
As you might expect, the major wireless carriers in the US such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile have been lobbying the FCC against the idea, along with chip makers like Qualcomm and Intel. They feel launching such free WiFi networks might interfere with established cellular networks. However, it"s more likely that they fear many smartphone users will simply access these large and free WiFi signals for their phone and data service.
Even if the FCC does go ahead with this proposal, it will still take a number of years before these networks are built.
Source: Washington Post
Free WiFi image via Shutterstock