Google Never Planned to Win But Opened Up Spectrum

According to the Google Public Policy Blog.

"Google didn't win licenses in the auction. Nonetheless, partly as a result of our bidding, consumers soon should have new freedom to get the most out of their mobile phones and other wireless devices.

Google's top priority heading into the auction was to make sure that
bidding on the so-called "C Block" reached the $4.6 billion reserve
price that would trigger the important "open applications" and "open
handsets" license conditions. We were also prepared to gain the
nationwide C Block licenses at a price somewhat higher than the reserve
price; in fact, for many days during the early course of the auction,
we were the high bidder. But it was clear, then and now, that Verizon
Wireless ultimately was motivated to bid higher..."

They are continuing to ask the FCC to open up the White Spaces for broadband.