The other day the web was a flutter with talks of Google talking with T-Mobile and Sprint to start offering up their own cell service. Google can’t just go out and build a million towers, buy a bunch of spectrum and have their own coverage after all. What they would need to do is piggy back off existing network infrastructures. Verizon will have no part in it, that was made pretty clear earlier when Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo said they wouldn’t follow suit with T-Mobile or Sprint. Now we hear that Sprint has struck the deal, at least that is what is coming from Bloomberg. The deal details have yet to be public, heck, the deal its self isn’t even really public. Generally though when Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal cite sources who are close to the matter, they tend to be pretty legitimate sources.
What I think Google essentially will be doing is what Republic Wireless has done, which is offer lower cost plans based on Wi-Fi first with Sprint as the partner for service when out and about. Having used a Republic Wireless myself, it is a pretty great service when you consider the monthly being as low as $5 for Wi-Fi and unlimited 3G at $25. Those do include unlimited calling and text as well. We know the Nexus 6 and Lollipop can and will support Wi-Fi calling, that was confirmed by T-Mobile since they also allow for Wi-Fi calling and a pending update will enable it. Google basically laid the framework for this move when the Hangouts Dialer hit the Play Store.
Does this mean T-Mobile is out of the picture? Probably not. I am sure there will be a roaming agreement or something going into place from them as well. It will be a formidable service with Google behind the helm with total control from devices, services and coverage. I am willing to bet the initial roll out of anything will strictly be tied to the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, but I think there will be access to unlocked devices right around the corner.
What do you think? Will this be the best thing to happen to Google since Android, or will this MVNO cell stuff roll in for a bit and fizzle out?
Source: Bloomberg via Phandroid
