Google’s Wireless Service to Launch Exclusively on the Nexus 6 This Month

Eyebrows raised when Google’s Sundar Pichai revealed that the technology company is launching its own wireless service in the United States—a declaration that incited mixed emotions in the media and consumer markets. However, Mr. Pichai, a Senior Vice President at Google, overseeing Android and Chrome, said that the service is small in scale and will note compete with carriers.

That appears to be the case. According to the Wall Street Journal, Google’s wireless service will work only with the latest Nexus phone—the Nexus 6—launched last year. Sources familiar with Google’s programs told the Wall Street Journal that the upcoming service won’t work with older Nexus devices, including the Nexus 5, which is manufactured by LG.

Furthermore, Google’s wireless service, which switches between Wi-Fi and cellular networks, will reportedly launch at the end of this month or in the coming weeks, sources said. However, the Wall Street Journal pointed out that the exclusive launch will be temporary and the service might eventually work on other Android phones.

Sources added that Google’s wireless network will combine the cellular networks of T-Mobile and Sprint alongside Wi-Fi networks, allowing users to pick the best signal at any location, any time. This results in a better experience and seamless access to the Internet. As to why the Nexus 6, sources said that the wireless network requires a special coordination between software and hardware—something that only the Nexus 6 can do.