The carriers, including AT&T Inc., , Sprint Nextel Inc., and their wireless units, need to "selectively partner with Google rather than try to compete," Winogradoff added.

"The issue is ... to what degree Google destroys [the carriers'] business case and business model, Winogradoff said. "It's more in the new service categories [such as entertainment, SaaS and cloud computing] where the carriers' future growth expectations may be severely impacted if they don't find a solution in partnering with Google."

None of the major carriers nor Google could be reached immediately for comment on this story.

, an analyst at J. Gold Associates in Northboro, Mass., said he was not so sure that partnerships between carriers and Google are the solution. But, he said, the telecommunications world is still far from open, despite some steps carriers have made toward openness.

"Carriers have so far kept tight reins on network usage," Gold said. "Carriers can still choose what applications appear on a wireless phone that you buy. They can unprovision a phone's browser, for example. To date, carriers have wielded tremendous influence on what you do with your phone."