Google reportedly looking to team up with carriers for free global roaming

Google reportedly looking to team up with carriers for free global roaming

<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><a href='http://www.imore.com/google-reportedly-looking-team-carriers-free-global-roaming' title="Google reportedly looking to team up with carriers for free global roaming"><img src='http://www.imore.com/sites/imore.com/files/styles/large_wm_brw/public/article_images/2014/06/three-uk-2048-nowm.jpg?itok=rt09X_44' />[/url]</p> <p class="intro">Google is reportedly in talks with Hutchison Whampoa, owner of UK mobile operator Three, to allow consumers to use their smartphones abroad at no extra cost.</p>  <p>Other networks are also reported to be in talks with Google. According to the Telegraph:</p>

<p>The two giants are discussing a wholesale access agreement that would become an important part of Google's planned attempt to shake-up the US mobile market with its own network. It is understood that Google aims to create a global network that will cost the same to use for calls, texts and data no matter where a customer is located.</p>

<p>Google aims to team up with Hutchison to provide a gateway into the UK, Ireland, Italy and other markets the company operates in. It makes sense for Google to select the Hong Kong company as a potential partner as Hutchison is actively pushing free roaming across Europe with Three UK (currently supports select countries).</p>

<p>Sources said Hutchison was a natural partner for Google in the plan, because it has also sought to eliminate roaming charges for Three customers. Google announced its plans to launch a mobile network last month. It will not build mobile masts but rely on wholesale deals to use existing infrastructure both at home and abroad.</p>

<p>It's expected Google will launch its own virtual network to pile pressure on America's mobile operators, much like the search giant is attempting with Google Fiber. The European Union is also working to abolish expensive roaming across the region, but should Google and partners be able to achieve free global roaming, it could shake up the mobile industry.</p> <p>Sourece: Telegraph</p> </div></div></div><img width='1' height='1' src='