Google to launch own 'virtual' mobile phone network

Subscribers to Nova will be able to switch seamlessly between mobile phone and Wi-Fi signals, and between masts of competing networks

Google is planning to launch its own mobile phone network, the software and search firm has confirmed, as it plots a major business shift that will see the company move into supplying broadband connections across the planet

Details of what Google insiders are calling "Project Nova" were unveiled by Sundar Pichai, recently promoted as second in command to co-founder Larry Page, at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona.