If Google offered cellular wireless service, would you be interested?

[Bateluer]

http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/30/technology/google_wireless_carrier/index.htm

Interesting read, even if it is from CNN Tech.

Google has assembled all the pieces it needs to be a mobile provider like Verizon, AT&T (T, Fortune 500) or Sprint (S, Fortune 500).

But its biggest weapon is Google Voice, the hit low-cost calling service that launched in May 2009. Just five months later, the service had 1.4 million users -- almost half of whom were using it every single day.

Buying the infrastructure: In 2008, Google put in a bid to buy wireless spectrum to provide mobile Internet access -- spectrum that ultimately went to Verizon (VZ, Fortune 500) for its new 4G network. Rumors that Google is buying up "dark fiber," broadband cables that have been laid but are not in use, have been widely circulated, though never confirmed.

Connecting customers: In February, the company announced that it will become an Internet provider of "ultra high-speed broadband" for up to 500,000 customers for a U.S. city. That project is still under development, but Google is about to start testing its service out at Stanford University.

Still, Google has the funds and the resources to get it done. All that's left is the will to do it.

We asked. Google declined to comment.

I'd be curious to see how they'd work out. Might be a better option than current carriers, if you can get an open phone with solid specs. In the early phases, they could supplement their coverage with GVoice/VOIP/WiFi calls, similar to what T-Mo does now.

Their collection of personal data can be very Big Brother-ish at times, but there should be work arounds.

 

[Rottie]

no because Google is a dangerous monopoly -- more than Microsoft ever was

 

[YoungGun21]

no because Google is a dangerous monopoly -- more than Microsoft ever was

Says the man with the iPhone display as his avatar. lol

On topic, I think it would just come down to all the normal decision-making points: price, coverage, dependability, etc.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I fucking love my most used Google services (gmail/apps, voice)...I'd give 'em a shot.

 

[secretanchitman]

if the service is good, reliable, and cheap, why not? i would try them out.

 

[cardiac]

I fucking love my most used Google services (gmail/apps, voice)...I'd give 'em a shot.

Me too.

 

[shortylickens]

Says the man with the iPhone display as his avatar. lol

Apple is not even close to being a monopoly on anything. Their biggest venue is the iPhone and that only has like 14% of the market right now.

 

[Bateluer]

Apple is not even close to being a monopoly on anything. Their biggest venue is the iPhone and that only has like 14% of the market right now.

Apple thinks of themselves as a monopoly though. Their high premiums keep them from that, but people still see Apple products as the penultimate product. Its kinda like Small Dog Syndrome or Kim Jong Il.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Google just uses this as a threat so the carriers don't disable too much of Android, they have no intention of being a carrier, but they need a credible threat so they can continue to collect data and sell ads.

 

[gsaldivar]

I fucking love my most used Google services (gmail/apps, voice)...I'd give 'em a shot.

This.

 

[SunnyD]

I would. Google would be aggressive and more importantly disruptive in pricing, the likes of which no mvno could ever do. Unfortunately it would be in an anti-competitive light, so I don't know if it would ever happen.

 

[zerocool84]

I would. Google would be aggressive and more importantly disruptive in pricing, the likes of which no mvno could ever do. Unfortunately it would be in an anti-competitive light, so I don't know if it would ever happen.

Yea it wouldn't happen. All the other wireless providers would go after Google to make sure they don't get their own service.

 

[Wingznut]

if the service is good, reliable, and cheap, why not? i would try them out.

As much as I love what Google currently does, I would not be any more or less interested in them, as any other provider.

Do they provide good service at a good price, is the only factor.

 

[gevorg]

I would love to drop AT&T for Google.

 

[Patranus]

I can't wait for Google to get "wikileaked"

 

[rudeguy]

I'd love it.

Service would probably free if you were willing to sit through an admob ad.

 

[Bateluer]

Yea it wouldn't happen. All the other wireless providers would go after Google to make sure they don't get their own service.

But would they have a legal leg to stand on? If Google had the infrastructure and willing customers, let the free market work. Pretty sure they'd be able to get handset makers on board, especially HTC. I'm sure the big four carriers would certainly sling some lobbying dollars around Washington though.

I'd be willing to check out Google Cellular though, especially if it means I can get an open phone.

 

[Shack70]

I currently have Verizon and had AT&T several years ago. Verizon works well but they seem to nickel and dime you for everything. Just the mandatory data plans they have now are enough for me to jump ship and try Google. As long as it was cheaper, offered more services for free and worked as well as Verizon I would switch.

 

[Deeko]

Absolutely not.

 

[Bateluer]

Absolutely not.

Any particular reason why?

 

[akugami]

I would consider Google but no more or less than any other carrier. The coverage would need to equal at least the smallest of the big four carriers which is probably T-Mobile USA. The biggest selling point would be price followed closely by performance and coverage.

 

[randomlinh]

can they beat sprint family data everything plan? and will it match the coverage I have? then yes.

I'll take any competition out there that can jump in.

 

[Deeko]

Any particular reason why?

Frankly, I don't really like or trust Google, and I haven't for a long time. They make a lot of great products - but in doing so, they make billions of dollars by accruing enormous amounts of user data.

I'm not entirely anti-Google, and its not like I boycott their products - but I'm generally wary of them, and having them complete the circuit as the service provider (google search, gmail, talk, voice), platform provider (Android), and carrier just kinda rubs me the wrong way.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Of course I'd be interested if the service level and price are right.

 

[jlee]

Sure, if they can beat my SERO plan in price & coverage/etc.