Reports out of the United Kingdom suggest that Google is in talks with several mobile operators in the country which will ultimately allow users of its mobile network to use the service outside of the United States at no extra charge. If a deal is reached basically it would offer free international roaming to people on Google’s mobile network. Apparently that’s what Google and Hutchison Whampoa are negotiating, the company operates UK’s Three Network and is also making efforts to acquire the O2 network in the UK from Telefonica.
If a deal is reached then Hutchison Whampoa will be Google’s major global partner in this arena, the first for its upcoming mobile network, and will potentially aid the Mountain View company to eliminate international roaming fees for some countries.
Hutchison Whampoa’s reach isn’t just limited to the United Kingdom. It operates mobile networks in countries like Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Italy, Sweden, Ireland, Denmark and Austria.
Last month Google formally confirmed that it plans to play in the mobile network arena, it will use network infrastructure from other operators, and aims to start off the service at a “smaller scale.”
So far Google and Hutchison Whampoa have not commented on the reports so it hasn’t been officially confirmed as of now if both companies are indeed negotiating on some kind of a deal.