Google has been reportedly working to bring its own flavor of cell service to consumers the not so distant future. It would use Wi-Fi for much of its connection, but deals are in place with T-Mobile and Sprint for when Wi-Fi is not available. Android 5.0 Lollipop has the technical functionality to handle this quite easily, so it would make sense that a working roll out would require one set device that Google would be able to control the experience on. In the current state of things, that would be the Nexus 6. This is all according to the Wall Street Journal and people who are, as always, “familiar with the matter.”
Wi-Fi calling isn’t something new to the tech community. T-Mobile has been offering Wi-Fi calling for quite some time, but only recently has it really gained traction. Sprint has been implementing the ability to the same thing with the more recent devices over the last 8 months or so too. On a carrier front it lets current customers get service where they might not have cell coverage. On the service front you have companies like Republic Wireless who rely heavily on Wi-Fi for handling voice calls and text messages. In RW’s case their external connection is handled by Sprint, assuming you pay the monthly difference for mobile coverage. Other wise your phone will only work when on a Wi-Fi connection. RW’s service works really well, and for just $25 a month for unlimited calls, texts and 3G data, it is hard to not like.
On the Google front we have Hangouts, which is the perfect example of how it could all come together. Hangouts offers a phone number, which many of us activated many moons ago with Google Voice. Not so long ago it gained MMS abilities and it can be used as a central hub for messaging from both your cell providers number, Google Voice number and Hangouts. Back in 2011 there were even rumors and images circulating of Google SIM Cards that were coming for Google Voice. Seems it all turned out to be faked, or at least, that is what was said. Fake or not, it seems Google has been laying the ground work for a Google Wireless service for some time really.
Sundar Pichai said in an interview that “We don’t intend to become a carrier scale.” Which just means that Google doesn’t plan to get into the business and go toe to toe with the likes of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. They could, however, fill a gap in the wireless industry, much like Republic Wireless does, but with a much higher end device and Google support.
I would be willing to go out on a limb and say they bring in a similar price point of $25 – $45 for unlimited everything, but I bet there will be a deal of sorts with Google Fiber customers. Hopefully, if things go well, Google will offer up the service for any unlocked device on Lollipop and above.
What are your thoughts? Will you be jumping your carrier if/when a Google Wireless service breaks cover?
