Google gets serious about wireless, with a little help from the FCC

The annual trade show of CTIA - The Wireless Association has been going on for only a few hours, and already the San Diego event's theme is clear: This is Google's wireless coming-out party, and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is leading cheers. With a series of high-profile deals, Google (GOOG) is putting the cell phone industry on notice that the search giant intends to compete vigorously in the fast-moving market for wireless devices and services.

The latest pact is with computer manufacturer Dell to market a device powered by Google's Android operating system -- first reported by Crunchgear. It follows yesterday's announcements of a Google partnership with Verizon Wireless and AT&T's (T) reversal on allowing web-calling services on Apple's (AAPL) iPhone.