Google is now offering UK mobile phone users its Gmail webmail service, Google News, and a personalised Google homepage – regardless of which mobile network a customer uses.
Google has partnered with several operators including T-Mobile and Vodafone and handset makers such as Motorola and Sony Ericsson, but this looks like an attempt to sideline the mobile companies – though obviously widespread availability of Google’s (generally excellent) services will mean more data-call revenue for the operators.