Google Launching as a Mobile Virtual Network in Spain

Reports have emerged which suggest that Google is planning to launch as a small MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) in Spain.

As a MVNO, Google’s mini network will ‘share’ the signal from three main networks operating in Spain already – Orange, Vodafone and Movistar.

The web giant has recently bought up a decent amount of mobile network capacity from these networks, allowing them to create their own mini network and hand out Google-branded SIM cards.

At the moment these SIM cards are only being handed out to Google employees, who will be testing the SIM cards and Google’s network using their recent flagship smartphone, the Samsung Nexus S.

We’re under the impression that Google has purchased the technology and rights to have their own little network purely to offer their own employees cheaper calls, texts and data. At present it doesn’t look likely that Google will be launching a full blown network that the public will be able to sign up to.

Rumour has it that Google will be doing the same in other countries throughout Europe in the not too distant future. The company already has its own Android operating system, and recently through the acquisition of Motorola, a manufacturer to create Google-branded smartphones. All they would need then would be a mobile network and Google could offer Android exclusivity in some countries.

Via: Slashgear