Google testing MVNO waters, preparing to battle carriers [updated]

By on Sep 23, 2011 at 10:10 AM
Business September 23, 2011

Google may be preparing to take its mobile efforts to the next level as it tests a Google-branded MVNO in Spain. Unconfirmed reports accompanied by photos of a Google SIM card and a Nexus S running on a “Google_Es” network suggest that Google is toying with the idea of becoming a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, or a company that provides cellular service by leasing capacity from existing wireless carriers and piggybacking on their networks. The photos suggest that testing is in the late stages as Google has already printed branded SIM cards, which have reportedly been delivered to Google Spain employees for testing. Additional details are scarce for the time being, but a Google-branded MVNO with deep Google Voice integration and a portfolio of Android devices from its potential Motorola acquisition could give the tech giant unprecedented control over the user experience. There is currently no firm indication that Google is testing similar services in other markets. Additional images follow below.

UPDATE: Turns out this was a hoax pulled off by a site described by Engadget Spanish as a “Spaniard 4chan.” Full details can be found on the Engadget Spanish site.

[Via cellular-news]

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  • http://twitter.com/Robaseyal Rob Lawn

    Watch out NIKE google is coming for you next. .. next up google sneakers.. “you can run on us”….

  • Anonymous

    whooo-I didn’t see that coming and I bet nobody else did either; Google got a looooot of heat for what they paid for Moto but now….with their own network in place they could leap-frog ahead of all other competitors.  Mind blowing.  Google from womb to tomb lol.

  • Makoute

    They should just buy t-mobile here.

  • blackout11

    yes!!

  • Anonymous

    WI-FI Calling, GoogleVOICE, Skype/Chat and yes GSM will totally change the entire price structure of International Roaming.  This is NOT world domination but rather shrinking the world through communications.

  • Anonymous

    Where can I get and let google take over my life?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3BPXFPD4BXDRWTHMY5OMBS22VI KingTrust

    On top of the MacBook Pro… Yea yea im a Troll

  • Anonymous

    Google is the ONLY company that can be trusted in the world.  Heck, I, actually we Goofans (aka Apple Haters) already give them all our personal info, so we show how behind them we are.  100%!

  • Anonymous

    I would be interested, depending on who they piggybacked on and what the rates/data limits might be.

  • Boodah

    Dear Google,

    We HATE You!!!

    signed,
    “the competition”

  • Drybones5

    I’ll take 5 five accounts please.

  • Doug

    I’ve long thought someday cell service could be completely ad-supported.  Google maybe on the way to making it happen.

  • Guest

    Google has no clue what they’re in for.   Let’s just start with customer support…

  • Corey McAvoy

    anyone else find it funny that the Google SIM card is sitting on a MacBook?
    irony? i think so lol

  • Steverachi82

    I wonder if one can scan the bar code on the sim in the picture and get the code and track the fool who leaked the photo without blurring out the bar code!!

  • Ross

    If this is a hoax, why doesn’t BGR remove the post?  Seems silly to read the whole article – have a link on your home page and then on the last line say its a hoax

  • Anonymous

    No thank you anything that have the Google trademark on it can be hacked sorry I’ll stay where im at

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