Google wasn’t always in the business of offering wireless service, but it entered into this space with Project Fi, its virtual mobile network. There have been rumors that perhaps Apple would do something like this as well, but the company hasn’t really given any hints that might suggest it’s interested in launching a virtual mobile carrier. A new report claims Apple CEO Tim Cook has declared it unlikely for the company to offer wireless service.
9to5mac reports that Tim Cook made these comments at the Startup Fest Europe in Amsterdam today, he ruled out the possibility of Apple launching a mobile virtual network operator.
It was previously rumored that Apple was testing such a service, which would allow Apple to run its network off of the networks of established carriers like Project Fi does. The company was quick to deny these rumors in August last year.
“Our expertise doesn’t extend to the network,” Tim Cook is reported to have said in response to a question put forward by retired European Commissioner for Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes, adding that “the things Apple likes to do, are things we can do globally.”
Cook also pointed out that “we don’t have the network skill,” but did mention that Apple will do some things along the way with e-SIMs, but that’s about it. We won’t be seeing an iPhone-only MVNO soon.
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