3 to offer Google search on mobiles

November 16, 2006

3 Group will offer Google mobile search services to its 3 Group customers following a global agreement signed by the two companies.

3 Group customers will benefit from direct access to Google search on their 3G handsets, creating a rich internet experience for their customers worldwide. With mobile broadband giving 3 Group customers the opportunity to quickly access rich content via their mobile, Google mobile search will be an important part of finding the content they want to see on the go.

It is another key step for 3 Group in delivering media and internet products over mobile broadband. The service will be rolled-out in individual markets in due course.

Christian Salbaing, Managing Director, European Telecommunications at 3 Group, said, "We are delighted to announce this global deal between our two companies and to bring one of the world's most popular Internet services to our 3G mobile broadband customers. Our customers will be able to search with Google whenever they like. It's another key step for 3 in delivering a fully mobile internet. The mobile internet has developed to such a degree that we can now leave the "walled garden" behind and let our customers access and enjoy the very best of what the converged internet and media worlds can offer."

Jim Holden, Director Wireless Strategic Partnerships, Google, said, "We want people to be able to find useful information on the internet wherever they are. 3 shares this goal. Mobile search offers people the chance of a rich internet experience on the go. Our agreement takes us a step further to meeting this ambition."