Google (GOOG) may be ready to make a big splash in a government auction for valuable wireless airwaves-if certain conditions are met. The Internet search company said it will bid at least $4.6 billion if the Federal Communications Commission mandates that any winners lease a certain portion of the airwaves to other companies seeking to offer high-speed Internet and other services. Such a provision, Google argues, will give consumers-who traditionally get high-speed Internet access via cable or telephone lines-a third option for service. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin last week previewed draft rules for the auction that did not include this so-called wholesale provision. That’s a sticking point for Google, which sees the wholesale provision as critical to promoting competition in the wireless broadband marketplace. It wants one-third of the airwaves that are being auctioned off to be offered on a wholesale basis. ‘Open’ Protocols According to the Official Google Blog, the online giant also wants the FCC to require the auction’s winner to adopt ‘open’ protocols allowing consumers to access any content via any wireless network on the segment of the wireless spectrum up for auction. ‘We’re putting consumers’ interests first, and putting our money where […]