Telecos should partner with Google

Carriers should consider partnering with Google in order to have a part in the web giant's influence, says Gartner.

"Carriers should selectively partner with Google rather than trying to compete, especially in areas where they don't have differentiated and core assets," said Alex Winogradoff, research vice president at Gartner.

"However, carriers should also find common ground with Google (for example, on network neutrality) and, if necessary, look for creative ways to oppose Google on issues critical to their survival."

Gartner outlined six important actions Google has worked towards, including forming the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), that created the Android platform, featured on the T-Mobile G1.

Google has also coerced the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to set aside the "C" Block for open-access, worked towards network neutrality, and compiled the world's most complete storehouse of geographic and mapping data, which is offered as an application for the iPhone.

They have also promoted an "interleaved spectrum," and have engaged businesses to use GoogleApps and cloud computing, which was recently guaranteed to be reliable.