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Hutchison’s MVNE arm Hue announces deal with Google to provide data connectivity.
CK Hutchison will provide a European data roaming service for users of Google’s Project Fi MVNO offering, it announced this week.
Google has brokered a roaming deal with Hue, the mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE) arm of Hutchison’s 3 Group. Under the terms of the agreement, Hue will provide Fi customers with data connectivity when they are travelling in Europe, Hutchison said.
"3 Group’s investment in robust networks and Hue’s ability to offer the latest LTE technology in an innovative and flexible way is the ideal match for Project Fi’s exciting wireless service," said Hue chief executive officer Jarrod Nink.
Project Fi is a WiFi-first MVNO service launched by Google in April last year. Users are automatically connected to WiFi networks where possible, but can fall back onto cellular if required; the Internet giant initially signed up Sprint and T-Mobile US as its launch partners.
Google added a third mobile network operator partner in U.S. Cellular in June.
"Starting today, all Project Fi subscribers have access to high speed data in 135-plus destinations," Google said on Tuesday.
"With the addition of 3 to the Project Fi network, we’re now able to deliver speeds 10-20X faster than before," it added.
The firm also reminded users that it does not charge extra for data roaming overseas. "You pay the same $10/GB that you do at home," it said.
Fi is only available to customers in the U.S.
