A recent leak surfaced around the net that revealed Google's agenda in becoming a mobile carrier. An app named 'Project Fi' was discovered revealing Google's plans to offer free calls and texts in the U.S. The concept was to charge customers for "as per data usage." 'Project Fi' is also rumored to work only with a Nexus 6 device. Further, one report believes that 'Project Fi' is only a codename, and could be changed as 'Google Wireless' upon its release.
The search-engine company Google is said to be on the verge of becoming a mobile service provider, contending with T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint. It may also become the next Verizon with its own network, as one report suggests.
When asked for comments about Google's MVNO, SVP of products Sundar Pichai said, "The core of Android and everything we do is to take an ecosystem approach and [a network would have] the same attributes. We have always tried to push the boundary with the innovations in hardware and software," he also said.
"We want to experiment along those lines. We don't intend to be a network operator at scale. We are actually working with carrier partners. Will announce something in the coming months."
However, a handful of leaks have surfaced that seemed to reveal Google's agenda of becoming a carrier. Inferse pointed to a recently discovered app, named as 'Project Fi'." The app is said to have shown Google's plans to offer free calls and texts in the U.S., and charge customers for "as per data usage. If you only need a gigabyte of data, you just pay for one. In case you need more, Google will sell you extra gigabytes as per your requirements, making it a 'pay as you go' service. Though we're not clear as to whether Google will have a monthly billing cycle or just let you pay as needed for data." It was also noted that "Project Fi would only be compatible with Nexus 6" at release.
The 'Project Fi' is also a codename for "Google's Mobile Virtual Network Operator, and was included in a Tycho app that was spotted running on an unofficial build of the Nexus 6. The app code points to 'Nova', the rumored name of Google's MVNO service, looking very similar to apps from other carriers." Android Police, which gives the full detail of the leak, believes that 'Project Fi' could be just a name play, and could possibly change on its release. What the publication suggests is that the name could be 'Google Wireless.'
Reports also cited The Information revealing that Google is going to be a wireless carrier within this year. The company was said to incline in selling mobile plans straight to customers in U.S., which is going to include data and voice. However, Google is not going to compete with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile immediately. What they did is to work as a MVNO, "piggy backing on Sprint and T-Mobile's networks," and it was perceived that Google rakes in "more benefits than drawbacks."
Nevertheless, Google is yet to make official statements, hopefully, at Google IO 2015 in May.
Join the Conversation