Google Confirms Plans for Wireless Service - NYTimes.com

Accelerating hybrid wireless evolution

"Google is experimenting with a hybrid approach that offers mobile voice and data services primarily through Wi-Fi signals. It would fall back on cell towers in areas where Wi-Fi is beyond reach, sources say. Industry insiders call this a “Wi-Fi first” approach.

A person briefed on Google’s plans, who recently spoke on the condition of anonymity because the conversations were private, said the company wanted to make use of the fiber network it had installed in various cities to create an enormous network of Wi-Fi connections that phones could use to place calls and use apps over the Internet. In areas out of reach, Google’s network would switch over to cell towers leased by T-Mobile USA and Sprint, this person said."

Google Confirms Plans for Wireless Service - NYTimes.com