Google Planning No Roaming Charges for Wireless Service
David Curry | | Apr 06, 2015 09:54 AM EDT |
(Photo : Reuters) Google is planning to launch an MVNO with no roaming charges.
Google is planning to shake up the wireless carrier market in the next few months with the launch of a low cost mobile virtual network operator to compete with AT&T and Verizon Wireless.
At home, Google's wireless service will provide low cost calls, texts and data on the Sprint and T-Mobile network. Overseas, it will also have no roaming charges due to a partnership between Google and Hong Kong conglomerate, Hutchison Whampoa.
Like Us on Facebook
Hutchison Whampoa is the owner of Three, the wireless carrier that recently acquired O2 in the UK. It also owns wireless networks in Italy, Ireland, and offers no roaming charges throughout Europe.
Google has found common ground with Hutchison Whampoa over the no roaming charges deal. The report from The Telegraph didn't disclose the cost of the deal between the two companies.
It's still not clear what advantages other than price Google will offer on its MVNO, but having no roaming charges could be lucrative to Americans wanting to travel. The Nexus 6 may be the only device to launch with Google's own carrier support.
Google has already shaken the broadband industry with Google Fiber. In Atlanta, Georgia, Comcast is now planning 2 Gbps internet service; in Austin, Texas, AT&T is laying 1 Gbps internet in high-end developments.
If it can replicate its success in the U.S. wireless carrier market, Google could stop Verizon Wireless and AT&T from hitting these high profit margins. T-Mobile USA has already been trying to win customers over with cheaper contracts throughout 2014, with varied success.
The difference between Google and T-Mobile USA is Google has $60 billion in the bank, a stranglehold of advertising and search, and the ability to be in the room with White House officials every day of the week. Put that all together and we have a strong challenger against Verizon Wireless and AT&T.
Whether Google will invest fully in the wireless carrier service is another matter, however. The lease of networks from T-Mobile USA and Sprint makes it look like Google is taking it slow instead of investing in infrastructure like it has for Google Fiber.
©2015 Chinatopix All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission
EDITOR'S PICKS
-
Did the Trump administration just announce plans for a trade war with ‘hostile’ China and Russia?
-
US Senate passes Taiwan travel bill slammed by China
-
As Yan Sihong’s family grieves, here are other Chinese students who went missing abroad. Some have never been found
-
Beijing blasts Western critics who ‘smear China’ with the term sharp power
-
China Envoy Seeks to Defuse Tensions With U.S. as a Trade War Brews
-
Singapore's Deputy PM Provides Bitcoin Vote of Confidence Amid China's Blanket Bans
-
China warns investors over risks in overseas virtual currency trading
-
Chinese government most trustworthy: survey
-
Kashima Antlers On Course For Back-To-Back Titles
MOST POPULAR
LATEST NEWS
Zhou Yongkang: China's Former Security Chief Sentenced to Life in Prison
China's former Chief of the Ministry of Public Security, Zhou Yongkang, has been given a life sentence after he was found guilty of abusing his office, bribery and deliberately ... Full Article
TRENDING STORY
-
China Pork Prices Expected to Stabilize As The Supplies Recover
-
Elephone P9000 Smartphone is now on Sale on Amazon India
-
There's a Big Chance Cliffhangers Won't Still Be Resolved When Grey's Anatomy Season 13 Returns
-
Supreme Court Ruled on Samsung vs Apple Dispute for Patent Infringement
-
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Rumors and Release Date: What is the Latest?