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posted by LaminatorX on Wednesday April 08 2015, @01:08AM   Printer-friendly
from the informations-sans-frontières dept.

Wired had a story Sunday where they make the case that, between it's own wireless service and current negotiations with phone companies that would let customers move its service and international cellular networks at no extra cost, Google is doing its best to keep users locked into its network:

...you'd be able to travel across the US, the UK, Italy, Hong Hong, and Sri Lanka while paying the same fees for calls, text, and data—an attractive option for anyone who's ever carried a phone overseas. Carriers tend to charge inflated rates for this kind of "roaming," forcing you to think twice about using your phone at all while traveling. "Roaming fees in Europe and Asia can kill you," says Richard Doherty, an analyst with New York-based research firm Envisioneering.

...Google said it doesn’t comment on "rumor or speculation." But the report fits nicely with what we already know about Google's plans for its unconventional wireless service. Google appears to be envisioning a wireless world where we can move effortlessly from one wireless network to another, making it easier for us to stay online.

Of course that just means more ad revenue for Google:

The more you're online, the more you'll use Google's search engine and other apps—and the more the company can serve you ads. "Google needs reach," Doherty says. And what better way to extend that reach than by offering what so many of us want: ready access to the internet at all times?

Having just opened my wireless bill that included a recent week spent in Cancun, Mexico I can personally attest that roaming charges hurt not just in Europe and Asia.

 
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  • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 08 2015, @03:00AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 08 2015, @03:00AM (#167708)

    This kind of repetitive, sophomoric, off-topic US bashing really brings this site down. It sticks out like a HUGE chip on your shoulder borne out of feelings of inferiority or something.

    Starting Score:    0  points
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  • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday April 08 2015, @03:48AM

    by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday April 08 2015, @03:48AM (#167718) Journal

    This kind of repetitive, sophomoric, off-topic US bashing really brings this site down.

    Well, Ok. Contribute an explanation on why GP focuses on "the caliber of customer that would regularly travel internationally".
    It's like... what? Tourism doesn't matter?

    --
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 08 2015, @03:51AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 08 2015, @03:51AM (#167721)

    It sticks out like a HUGE chip on your shoulder borne out of feelings of inferiority or something.

    (and your dick's showing through the fly and t's quite small. Whatsamatta, boy, can't take a bit of bashing?)

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 08 2015, @04:49AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 08 2015, @04:49AM (#167731)

    This kind of repetitive, sophomoric, off-topic US bashing really brings this site down.

    No, it isn't, you ugly American! Really, how could anyone bash the only country to invade another since WWII? Yes, it was actually a client state, and they had to rein in Ol' Saddam, but really, Americans complaining about being bashed is like Nazis complaining about Nuremberg (the Tribunals, not the Rallies). Do you get this? And it is not this site, it is the world. So suck it up, Americans, and apologize to the rest of the world, before it is too late.

    • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday April 08 2015, @05:44AM

      by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday April 08 2015, @05:44AM (#167747) Journal
      'Ey, a little bit harsh. I think some commiseration for the lack of statutory annual leave would be more appropriate.
      --
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
    • (Score: 1) by rondon on Wednesday April 08 2015, @02:16PM

      by rondon (5167) on Wednesday April 08 2015, @02:16PM (#167845)

      I don't think this is true... The Daily Mail is reporting that Russia invaded Georgia today, actually.

      I don't claim to know the veracity of that report, but it makes your brazen statement seem the lie.

      • (Score: 2) by Yog-Yogguth on Monday April 13 2015, @04:01PM

        by Yog-Yogguth (1862) Subscriber Badge on Monday April 13 2015, @04:01PM (#169776) Journal

        Yeah “actually” not.

        You're as bad at picking examples as whoever you're replying to :)

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    • (Score: 1) by dboz87 on Wednesday April 08 2015, @05:44PM

      by dboz87 (1285) on Wednesday April 08 2015, @05:44PM (#167915)

      So, I guess Iraq never invaded Kuwait?