Google seeks allies in phone battle; Internet giant may join with small firms to create its own call network.(Capital Region)

Byline: ARI LEVY and IAN KING - Bloomberg News

Google Inc., escalating a battle with AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless, may team up with smaller mobile-phone service providers to create its own multibillion-dollar network.

The company, owner of the world's most popular Internet search engine, may bid at least $4.6 billion for wireless airwaves in a federal auction. Rather than use that spectrum to create its own network, Google is more likely to enlist the help of existing carriers, said Chris Sacca, head of special projects.

"We see a lot of companies in this space who we would love to collaborate with," Sacca said in an interview in July. "There are …