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Google Plans Major Play In Wireless Partnering With Sprint and T-Mobile
MojoKid writes There's a new report suggesting Google is partnering with select wireless carriers to sell its own branded wireless voice and data plans directly to consumers. According to sources and the "three people with knowledge of the plans," Google will tap into networks belonging to Sprint and T-Mobile for its new service, buying wholesale access to mobile voice and data in order to make itself a virtual network operator. That might sound disappointing on the surface. Had Google struck a deal with Verizon and AT&T, or even just Verizon, the deal could potentially have more critical mass, with great coverage backed by a company like Google and its services. The former might be a winning combination but at least this is a start. The project will be known as "Nova," which is reportedly being led by Google's Nick Fox, a longtime executive with the company. Apparently Fox has been overseeing this for some time now, and it seems likely a launch will take place this year.
There is a company called Ting and they already do this same thing with the same carriers.
As an actual Google fiber customer, that has encountered their customer service recently, you have no idea what you are talking about. 24/7 "HUMAN" customer support, phone rings maybe 3 times, they answer, then they ask useful questions and provide useful support. I called on a Saturday around 1930, the extremely nice lady on the phone took all of my information, ask if I had any other issues and put in a ticket for me. Within 20 minutes a representative from their contracted service technicians called me back, then my issue was resolved first thing Sunday morning.
I have T-Mobile and hope this come to pass as my service is spotty in many areas near my house. Would love to get a T-mobile signal booster and plug it into the fiber jack.
All said, I am extremely happy with all aspects of the service I have received from Google Fiber, even if they look through very bit of data. I am also a Comcast customer, and if I believed in Hell I'd wish for every aspect of that company to burn for eternity.
My 2 cents.
Backing underdogs like Sprint and T-Mobile makes me think Google may end up owning both.
That would be perfectly fine with me.. a combined Sprint + TMo may be the only way to break up the Verizon + AT&T duopoly.
However, there is one caveat: will Google be sniffing all the traffic it sees on these newly-acquired traffic just to harvest it and sell to advertisers.
I seriously doubt they'd do anything that stupid. I'm guessing it's probably even illegal. At the very least they'd have to spell it out in their privacy guidelines.
IANAL but the Google Fiber Privacy Policy seems to explicitly state they won't do this.