Verizon and Google Closer to Striking a Deal

It seems like Verizon Communications Inc.and Google Inc. have been trying to reach a deal for decades. According to the Wall Street Journal, they are finally getting closer to that point. They are at long last getting close to reaching an agreement to form a far reaching partnership.

Under the terms of the deal being discussed, Google would become the default search engine provider on all Verizon devices. In return, Google would receive a share of all the ad revenue brought in by Verizon’s devices.

Still and all, the deal is no where close to fruition just yet. Both sides are still going through heavy negotiations concerning the core issues of the partnership. For instance, Google wants to be able to save information garnered from the searches cell phone user’s do on their phones and wireless devices.

For all intents and purposes, Google has been negotiating with Verizon, which is the second largest mobile carrier in the United States, for nearly a year at this point.

Both sides of the blossoming partnership hope to finish up their talks and dealings sometime within the coming several weeks. Ultimately, Verizon wants to add Google onto the search bar found on the home screens and browsers seen on its cell phones and wireless devices, says the Wall Street Journal.

The funny thing about this issue is that Google and Verizon went head to head late in 2007, when Google lobbied – successfully, ultimately – with the United States Government in order to force operators to open up the access to their networks before the spectrum auction took place.

Google really has its hands full these days. In addition to being a veritable giant and king among search engines, it is expanding its pay per click ads into a number of new industries and markets. For example, Google is set to try its hand at both telecommunications and online video. As well, the big leaguer will be launching its new Android based cell phone by Christmas or thereabouts.

(August 25, 2008)