Google is to follow the example of UK supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s and launch a virtual mobile phone network.
The search engine giant was already known to have signed deals with US networks Sprint and T-Mobile to buy wholesale access to their networks which it would rebadge sell-on to users.
Dubbed “Project Nova” the network is also promised to automatically switch between wifi and mobile signals to ensure users always get the best signal.
In the UK BT is already working on introducing this feature to its own soon to be launched network, allowing customers to benefit both from their home WiFi and the firm’s extensive network of public WiFI hotspots.
Google’s Sundar Pichai said: “We will be working with carriers around the world so they can provide services over our backbone.
“We want to focus on projects which serve billions of users at scale and which make a big difference in their every day lives.”