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Google May Soon Offer A Cellphone Service To Compete With Verizon And AT&T

According to The Information's Amir Efrati, Google is "inching closer" to competing with wireless carriers like AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.

The report, published earlier today, says becoming the service provider of choice for cell phone users has been a subject of the tech giant's upper brass for some time.

"Google executives in recent months discussed their hope to offer a full-fledged wireless service in markets where it offers Google Fiber Internet and TV service, according to two people who have discussed the matter with Google," wrote Efrati. "Such an offering would mean Google customers in places like Kansas City could get voice and Internet access through their mobile devices wherever they go."

There, however, lies the catch 22 in Google's prospective plan. By "places like" Kansas City, what Efrati really means is either Kansas City or Provo, Utah, the only two cities in which Google provides Internet and TV services.

Any serious bid to enter the wireless phone service space would be contingent upon Google expanding their "fiber" service.

As the Verge notes, the company so far only has plans to expand into big markets like Atlanta, Portland, San Jose, Austin and six others. Beyond that, there has been little concrete development.

Still, for all paying customers, Google's apparent disdain for major carriers like Verizon and AT&T, who are the two biggest players and offer the most expensive monthly service plans, will sound like music to their ears.

"For Google, a mobile offering would fit neatly into CEO Larry Page’s playbook," wrote Efrati.

He hasn’t been shy about discussing with subordinates his disdain for existing wireless carriers and telecom companies, who he believes have been much too slow to upgrade their networks and heavy-handed in trying to control the services that subscribers use on their devices.

If Google really does find itself among wireless companies, rates can be expected to be lowered -- as is the case when any new, competent competitor enters a space -- and that will only be good for the customer.

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