It seems Google may very well be moving forward in its quest to be a wireless carrier and piggy backing on to Sprint and T-Mobile networks in the very near future.
That is, if a recent leak report supposedly revealing its carrier plans and details regarding device support, prove to be true.
Insight on Google's WiFi plans, according to a report, was discovered in an app that was likely inadvertently leaked and offers up insight on everything from plan features, such as cost per GB to refunds related to unused data, and the likely device the wireless service will support.
Google's strategy to becoming a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) was revealed in a Nexus 6 firmware image and states that the wireless project is being called 'Project Fi.'
The report gives the leaked information credence, and though Google has not confirmed any of the leaked insight, it still seems to match up earlier reports of the company's move to become a wireless provider.
The firmware image indicates an app that may be called Tycho.apk appears to be authentic, states the report.
The information in the app relates to user plan stipulations such as pricing, sharing data between devices and even potential advertising strategies.
Google becoming a WiFi player isn't a big stretch by any means as it's been rolling out a fiber network over the past few years. Its move into the Internet services provider space is already having a competitive impact with prices dropping where Google has been laying its Fiber capability.
The leak report states Google will be tapping onto Sprint and T-Mobile networks in the role of a MVNO instead of building its own cell tower network.
In terms of subscriber pricing Google appears to be going with a flat rate approach with data plans beginning at 1GB and advancing upward. Subscribers will be able to pool data among devices and roll over unused data. Calls and text in the U.S. will be free, just as with all other carriers.
One of the most interesting aspects of the leaked information relates to Google's supposed advertising approach with mobile device subscribers. The report states a user's call history data will be key in ad targeting and while there is supposedly an 'opt out' aspect, the call history will still be within Google's reach just like it is with any other carrier.
In terms of device support, a definite is the Nexus 6, obviously, and it may be the only device supported when the service launches.
The report notes that official information from Google could come by the end of May given the I/O developer event taking place.
