Google has lost mobile network operator T-Mobile as a partner to rival firm Yahoo!, it has been revealed.As a result of the changing of alliances, Google will lose over 90 million mobile users across Europe, according to reports in the Guardian.
While T-Mobile customers will still be able to access Google's sites on their handsets, the first page that will come up when they go on to the internet will be Yahoo!'s.
Commenting on T-Mobile's decision to leave the search engine provider in favour of Yahoo!, Hamid Akhavan, T-Mobile's chief executive, stated that Yahoo!'s mobile search technology was better than anything Google could offer.
Speaking at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona he said: "We have established a partnership with Yahoo! that is strategic; this one is more than just working together. We believe we can have a longer and deeper relationship."
Meanwhile, in a company statement, Yahoo! added that the deal "sets the stage" for Yahoo! oneSearch to become the exclusive mobile search service for T-Mobile customers by the end of next month.
"T-Mobile's decision to work with Yahoo! is a clear demonstration of the strength of our industry-leading mobile search service and our ability to work with partners to give consumers the best possible mobile internet experience," commented Marco Boerries, executive vice president of Connected Life at Yahoo!.
Yahoo! and T-Mobile also revealed that they intend to work together to bring services such as Flickr, Yahoo! Messenger, Yahoo! Mail and Yahoo! Weather to mobile phone users.
