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Google In Talks To Create International Roaming Network
jones_supa writes Google is in talks towards a deal with Hutchison Whampoa, the owner of the mobile operator Three, that will allow United States customers to use their phones abroad at no extra cost. The two giants are discussing a wholesale access agreement that would become an important part of Google's planned attempt to shake up the US mobile market with its own network. It is understood that Google aims to create a global network that will cost the same to use for calls, texts and data no matter where a customer is located. By linking up with Hutchison, it could gain wholesale access to mobile service in the UK, Ireland, Italy and several more countries where the Hong Kong conglomerate owns mobile networks.
I'm tired of paying $25/100Mb of data while I travel. Extortion.
Seems eminently sensible to me.
Here in the UK Three already allows you to use your contracted minutes and data allowance in some countries, including in the USA, at no extra cost.
http://blog.three.co.uk/2013/1...
I'll be making heavy use of it in a couple of months when I'm heading to Seattle (and Alaska), it'll be far more convenient than buying a local SIM as I did last time I was in the USA.
I'm quite surprised that there aren't already similar agreements for people from the States visiting Europe.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H... This has been available from national providers that are part of Hutchison for a while (covering parts of the EU, etc.). Depending on your precise conditions the US are included as well (partners being AT&T or T-Mobile). So considering the big picture this is not really big news. Unfortunately *my* local provider canceled the service for new customers which is basically the reason why I am never going to switch to one of their new packages.
The irony here is that in certain circles in the USA this will be perceived as "disruption" and a David-vs.-Goliath "free market" victory. In reality, what makes this possible, in part, is the EU's strict regulation on roaming fees. Hutchison will be able to provide cheap bandwidth not because of the free market, but despite it: because EU regulators have reined in the "free market" that has screwed customers for decades.
(I'm aware that the EU is by far not the only market outside the US, but it's a big, important, and previously quite fragmented one.)
id had signed with them. Instead more pccw :(
I want to watch Verizon and ATT collapse.
"If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."
att data higher also fringe roaming can hit the same fees.
Try $15-$20 a meg.
AT&T fucked me one too many times, so now I only buy unlocked phones outright. That way when I travel, I can just buy a local SIM card, stick it in my phone, and be on my way.
Paying $20 per month ON TOP of a data package for texting is insult enough, but with international data packages they are just taking the piss.
I'm wary of Google doing this, because internet access from Google means that they will likely slurp up all of your data and browsing habits. But I support anything to displace AT&T and Verizon.
is truly a great man.
already has this for the most part, you get free unlimited text and data in over a hundred countries and with VOIP services these days you can easily call over data.
As the old /. tag says, goodluckwiththat
Three used to be a mobile carrier brand here, but Hutchinson and Vodafone now jointly run a network under the 'Vodaphone' name.
Vodafone runs a distant 3rd in terms of subscribers compared to the Telstra and Optus networks but might pick up a few thousand new users if the global roaming outside Australia was compelling.