Earlier this week, Google confirmed rumors of a Google-based wireless network while appearing at the Mobile World Congress. This was a big deal, since the search giant had mentioned plans earlier of exploring such a venture. But that wasn't enough to get prediction engines, as the company revealed this interesting tidbit about its future cellular plans.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Google's upcoming cellular network would only be available for Motorola Nexus 6 users. If this rumor proves to be true, it would explain why Google VP Sundar Pichai emphasized that such a phone network would be so small.
Engadget notes that this development would make sense when you consider that the to-be-announced phone network would be the "Nexus" of virtual phone networks. The WSJ also reported that this network will mix its cellular connection with a Wi-Fi-based phone service, similar to Republic Wireless or Cablevision's Freewheel.
Rumors started to fly around last month about Google exploring the creation of a cellular network. The Verge reported that the company was in negotiations about starting an MVNO with Sprint and T-Mobile that would be similar to TracFone or Cricket. It wasn't until day one of the 2015 Mobile World Congress that Google Executive Vice President Sundar Pichai confirmed our suspicions.
Pichai mentioned that Google was currently in discussions with Sprint and T-Mobile about establishing a cellular network. However, Pichai had no interest in competing or trying to take down the four big data providers in the U.S. Instead, he wanted to do his best to improve the connection between cellular data and Wi-Fi networks.
WSJ did not reach out to Google for comment about the latest rumors.
