Karissa Bell: Google is in talks with the UK telecom Three to offer wireless plans that will allow people in the U.S. to use their smartphones abroad without roaming charges, according to a new report.
The plans would include voice calls, text messages and data, which would cost the same regardless of customers’ locations, according to The Telegraph, which cites “industry sources.”
The report comes almost exactly a month after Google confirmed its plans to offer a “small scale” wireless service. The project, which Senior VP Sundar Pichai said would begin as a “small scale” experiment, will allow Google to sell wireless plans directly to users.
A partnership with the Hong Kong-based Hutchinson Whamopoa, which operates Three in the UK and several other countries, would allow Google to offer its customers service in those markets without extra charges.
Google doesn’t have plans to offer a similar wireless service in Europe “for the foreseeable future
Google doesn’t have plans to offer a similar wireless service in Europe “for the foreseeable future”, as there is already a great deal of competition among European carriers where roaming charges are less prevalent, according to the report.
Hutchison is described as a “natural partner” for Google as the company has also made strides to to do away with roaming charges for Three customers.
Timing for the plans is still unclear, though the service has been rumored for more than a year.
Representatives for Three and Google did not immediately respond to Mashable‘s request for comment.
