Google chief executive Eric Schmidt extended an olive branch to wireless-network operators as he took the stage on Tuesday afternoon in Barcelona at Mobile World Congress.
Schmidt delivered his speech hours after the chief executive of the world's largest mobile operator, Vodafone, suggested in his own keynote address that Google was getting too powerful in the mobile value chain. Earlier in the day, Vittorio Colao had warned the telecommunications industry that companies controlling 70 percent to 80 percent of a market, such as Google in mobile search, should raise the attention of regulators.
Schmidt, whose company has had a contentious relationship with some mobile operators, did not respond to fears of monopolistic behaviour. Instead, he focused on how he saw Google and the wireless industry working together to deliver services to consumers. Google wants to partner with wireless operators and application developers to make sure that consumers get a good mobile web experience, and all the partners involved make money, he said.
For more on this story, see Google CEO comes to Barcelona in peace on CNET News.
Talkback
"after the chief executive of the world's largest mobile operator, Vodafone, suggested in his own keynote address that Google was getting too powerful in the mobile value chain."
Coming from a guy, who wants to toll charge people after having sold them a £500 smart phone.