Google throws hat into mobile services ring

Google is aiming to shake up the mobile communications industry with a new project to become a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) with a twist.

The company has announced Project Fi, a program aiming to improve the mobile experience, initially in the US.

An MVNO provides branded mobile services to consumers but does not operate its own network, instead using networks from established operators. Virgin Mobile is an example in Australia.

While traditional MVNOs only have one operator partner, Google has announced initial partnerships with two mobile providers - Sprint and T-Mobile USA.

With Project Fi, users will be automatically connected to Wi-Fi hotspots where available, or when outside of the hotspots, users will be connected to whichever partner operator's 4G network is performing fastest at the time.

Google said customers will be able to make calls over Wi-Fi, and calls will be seamlessly handed over between Wi-Fi and cellular networks.

For the US pilot, Google is charging US$20 ($25) per month for calls and text plus US$10 per month for each gigabyte of data used.

Project Fi will initially only be available on the Nexus 6 smartphone, which has been co-designed by Google and Motorola Mobility, the smartphone maker Google recently sold to Lenovo.

But the door is open for Google to extend the pilot to more handsets, as well as more markets, potentially including Australia.

Image courtesy of Tim Parkinson under CC