Google wants to create Mobile Telco integrated/branded Circles on G+ to let you call friends for free
By Staska on 29 Jun 12Google has some great ambitions and a lot of ideas how to expand its G+ social network. And one of them includes the integration of Google+ with mobile carrier infrastructure, to create Telco integrated/branded circles with special features.
And they have already filed a patent application for it.
So why would Google need/want to integrate G+ with carriers? For now they describe only one scenario – creation of reduced price or free-calling Circles in G+.
The basic idea is that Google and, for example, Verizon, share customer ID/phone number data in Verizon branded circle, and the carrier then offers special calling rates for members of that group.
The branded circle can be auto-populated with people you already follow on G+ who have Verizon number, so you can call them cheaply. Or Verizon can offer a special plan for a G+ circle, where you can add 50 of the friends you want to call or text for free, no matter what network they are on. And, with the new Google+ “Events” feature – you may soon be getting and sending SMS or MMS party invitations via your carrier Circle.
I’m sure, if Google can convince carriers to go along, they’ll find a lot more ways use the Telco branded circles. For now, though, it’s just an interesting idea in Google’s R&D labs.
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