Google has taken on Verizon Wireless as the telecommunications company attempts to change or halt the Federal Communications Commission's auction of the 700 MHz spectrum.

The market leader in Internet search is challenging Verizon, which filed a lawsuit three weeks ago in an attempt to change the FCCs plans for licensing conditions.

"As far as we can tell, Verizon appears to be arguing that two of the key provisions in the auction rules designed to spur competition -- the requirements for open devices and open applications -- should not apply to a licensee's own devices that use this block of 700 MHz spectrum," Richard Whitt, Washington media and telecom counsel for Google, said in his public policy blog.

"Their theory is that so long as 'unlocked' devices (those that can be configured to work with any network) are theoretically available to consumers through other means, the winning bidder in the auction shouldn't be required to make its devices open as well," Whitt said.

Verizon has sued the FCC in federal appeals court claiming that the auction rules violate the U.S. Constitution and federal laws and that the provisions are arbitrary and capricious. The company would not comment on the dispute, saying its FCC filings speak for themselves.

Whitt claims that FCC rules require companies to allow customers to use any device or application they chose.

"Needless to say, any attempt to change the reading of this rules language would seriously undermine the promise of consumers seeking more choices of wireless providers and services," he explained. "Earlier this week, we sent a letter (PDF) to the FCC urging the agency to resist this late-proposed rule change."

Google has said that it may bid for some of the wireless spectrum in the auction that is governed by the rules Verizon is challenging.