Google to launch own mobile network
Google is to launch its own US phone network called Project Fi.
For $20 per month, subscribers will have unlimited domestic voice calling and texting. Google will rent the necessary voice and data capacity from Sprint and T-Mobile. Sprint has maintained the right to renegotiate the deal is the service rockets in popularity.
Data will be accessible from existing Wi-Fi hotspots, or cost £6.60 per monthly gigabyte. Users would only be charged for the data they used, with refunds issued for any unused data at the end of each month.
"As you go about your day, Project Fi automatically connects you to more than a million free, open Wi-Fi hotspots we've verified as fast and reliable," Google explained in a blog post.
"Once you're connected, we help secure your data through encryption. When you're not on wi-fi, we move you between whichever of our partner networks is delivering the fastest speed, so you get 4G LTE in more places."
Only owners of the Nexus 6 smartphone will be eligible to sign up to the network at first.