Project Fi: Google to launch wi-fi mobile network

Google announced its intention to become a phone operator yesterday with a new plan to create a wi-fi powered mobile network in the US.

The network will operate by connecting users to millions of hotspots around the country and will be supported by conventional mobile phone signal borrowed from existing operators, Sprint and T-Mobile.

At launch the service will only be available to people who own a Nexus 6 handset, but analysts suggest that Google will gradually expand after an initial trial period.

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Known as Project Fi, the network will connect users to any wi-fi network it can detect, and will automatically switch back to conventional phone signal if no wi-fi is available.

Analysts say that while other firms have failed to find success as "mobile virtual network operators", Google has the pedigree to make the experiment work.

"Google itself has repeatedly shown that it is capable of changing the direction of an industry by entering it," Ian Fogg from the IHS Technology consultancy told the BBC.

Project Fi was first mentioned by Google's Android platform chief Sundar Pichai in February, but only now has the company offered detail on exactly how the system might work.

"As you go about your day, Project Fi automatically connects you to more than a million free, open wi-fi hotspots we've verified as fast and reliable," Google said in a blog post.

"Once you're connected, we help secure your data through encryption. When you're not on wi-fi, we move you between whichever of our partner networks is delivering the fastest speed, so you get 4G LTE in more places."

Sprint did not take the decision to partner with Google lightly, the Wall Street Journal says. "The decision went all the way up to Sprint Chairman Masayoshi Son… and included former Chief Executive Dan Hesse."

The network is currently available within the US and by invitation only. Users can request an invitation via the company's Early Access Program from today.