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Google Plans Major Play In Wireless Partnering With Sprint and T-Mobile

Posted by samzenpus on from the here-comes-the-google dept.

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.

6 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. Re:why the fuck by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Look for a trade - Google finances the expansion of their networks (both in terms of coverage and capacity) in return for a good deal on wireless services.

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    "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
  2. Finally. A Google plan I can get behind by scottbomb · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Maybe. The devil is in the details, and I'm looking forward to learning more about it. But Google has a shitload of money and they blow way too much on useless crap that no one wants like Google Glass and autonomous cars. They're launching fiber now here in Austin, giving Time Warner and AT&T some much-needed competition. Backing underdogs like Spring and T-Mobile makes me think Google may end up owning both. One thing Google does well is networking.

    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. THAT's where I draw the line. My ISP has only ONE JOB: connect me to the web without getting in the way. That's what I pay for and that's what I currently get.

    1. Re:Finally. A Google plan I can get behind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      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.

  3. Nothing new here by fdhealy4 · · Score: 4, Informative

    There is a company called Ting and they already do this same thing with the same carriers.

    1. Re:Nothing new here by Powercntrl · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Ting's à la carte pricing is fine for light users, but the average smartphone addicted millennial, it's a certified ripoff. But yeah, Google is entering a crowded marketplace. Just by themselves, Sprint and T-Mobile have quite a few of their own virtual carriers. Sprint has Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile. T-Mobile has MetroPCS, GoSmart Mobile, and they've also partnered with Walmart for Family Mobile and Target for BrightSpot Mobile.

      Then you've got the big daddy of MVNOs, América Móvil. They already resell competitively priced wireless service from all 4 national carriers. You might be more familiar with them as Tracfone, Safelink, Net10, Simple Mobile, Page Plus Cellular, Telcel América and Straight Talk.

      Until Google actually starts building their own network, don't expect a huge industry shake-up. In the cellular industry, the networks are gold and you know the golden rule...

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      DRM is like antifreeze, to the MPAA/RIAA it's sweet, to the consumers it's poison.
  4. Re:why the fuck by Anubis+IV · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's Sprint and T-Mobile working with them: the distant third and fourth place competitors in a four-horse market. Any disruption in the market will hit the bigger two competitors—AT&T and Verizon—significantly harder, and with this deal, the bottom two have positioned themselves to gain from AT&T and Verizon's loss, even if that gain isn't as significant as it would be if they outright won those customers directly. Even the simple act of getting those customers away from AT&T and Verizon is a big win, since it means AT&T and Verizon would have lost the incumbent's advantage when those customers' contracts are up and they're looking around at their options.