A new report from The Telegraph suggests that Google is to enter into a partnership with Three network owner Hutchison Whampoa to offer smartphone use abroad without customers incurring roaming charges, according to “industry sources”.
The free roaming plans include voice calls, SMS and internet data, with the cost of each limited to existing contract agreements. Hutchison Whampoa, which owns UK-based Three and operates a number of other networks across the globe, would allow Google to use its networks as part of the agreement.
Google’s Senior Vice President Sundar Pichai announced plans to offer a “small scale” wireless service only last month, during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on 2nd March.
Though Google has no plans “for the foreseeable future” to offer network coverage to European customers, an agreement with operators within Europe means it would be well-placed to do so should it change its mind.
Both Hutchison Whampoa and Google declined to comment on the story.
Source: Mashable
