Internet giant Google is reportedly looking to launch an MVNO in the US this year, using Sprint and T-Mobile US’ networks. The project, dubbed Nova, is led by Google executive Nick Fox, who had aimed to start the service late last year, according to a…
Internet giant Google is reportedly looking to launch an MVNO in the US this year, using Sprint and T-Mobile US’ networks.
The project, dubbed Nova, is led by Google executive Nick Fox, who had aimed to start the service late last year, according to a report by The Information citing three people with knowledge of the plans.
The company is reportedly considering launching mobile phone plans for markets where it sells Google Fiber Internet service.
Google Fiber is now present in three cities in North America after first launching in Kansas City back in 2012. The company has been rumoured to be looking to expand the ultrafast services into Europe, including the UK, for some time.
Rumours about Google’s potential MVNO launch started circulating in May 2014, when an earlier report by The Information suggested that in the previous 12 to 15 months, the company had approached both Verizon and Sprint about using their networks for “a full-fledged wireless service”.
Accessing the networks would enable the search engine to better manage the experience on the devices it sells and supports, as well as offer a larger coverage footprint through the use of multiple carriers, according to the report.
A deal with Google could also boost growth for Sprint and T-Mobile, respectively the US’ third and fourth-largest players, which have been struggling to compete with larger rivals AT&T and Verizon for some time.
The operators’ respective parent companies, Japan’s Softbank and German incumbent Deutsche Telekom, have long discussed a merger. But last summer, the plan was abandoned over regulatory concerns.
Google and Sprint declined to comment, while T-Mobile US was not immediately available for comment.
