Project Fi - Google's take on mobile phone service

by
in mobile on (#7M46)
Today, Google unveiled it's long anticipated mobile phone service, called Project Fi. However, Google is not building their own network, but relying on the existing Sprint and T-Mobile networks. Because the service can intelligently switch from one LTE network to the other, depending on signal strength, access is initially limited to Nexus 6 owners. Project Fi phones will need a cellular radio that can work with different network types and support a unique SIM that grants access to multiple networks.

The new service will cost $20 a month for unlimited voice and text, plus $10 a month per GB of data used. Interestingly, any unused fraction of data transfer per month is refunded at the same flat rate. For example, if you only use 200 MB of your $10/month data plan, you get an $8 refund.

Another interesting tidbit is how the service uses Wi-Fi. They claim voice calls can transition seamlessly between Wi-Fi hotspots and cell networks. Google has apparently cataloged over a million access points and will automatically connect you to verified hot spots. Also, all data transferred while using an open Wi-Fi hotspot is automatically encrypted through a built-in VPN-like service.
Reply 10 comments

Come to Australia (Score: 2, Insightful)

by Anonymous Coward on 2015-04-22 23:33 (#7M9N)

Soon we will be paying for our own government to spy on us by metadata collection. Come on down Google! No doubt Google could do the same job for much cheaper.

Re: Come to Australia (Score: 2, Insightful)

by axsdenied@pipedot.org on 2015-04-23 00:13 (#7MAY)

I wanted to mod you up but I could not find an appropriate option... I was looking for something like "sad but true" or "we are so fucked"...

Not very enticing... (Score: 1)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2015-04-23 00:46 (#7MC7)

Hmmm... $20/mo + $10/GB doesn't sound competitive, unless your data usage is MASSIVELY inconsistent from month to month, usually using just a bit of data, but sometime needing HUGE amounts of data.

T-Mobile has offered a $30/mo 5GB service for years. Republic Wireless (on Sprint) offers 5GB of LTE for $40/mo and 3g for just $25/mo both with unlimited voice/text/mms. Boost/Virgin (Sprint) offer 2.5GB LTE for $35/mo. If you're going to use more than 6GB/mo, Sprint's completely unlimited $80/mo plan (which drops for each successive phone) should do it.

Re: Not very enticing... (Score: 1)

by zenbi@pipedot.org on 2015-04-23 03:31 (#7MHV)

Remember, Google is just a middle man in this new service. The actual data is still being transfered using the T-Mobile and Sprint backend networks. This means, other than bulk discounts, Google is totally dependent on the pricing of the underlying services.

Ars has compiled a really nice price comparison here: #7M6Y

Re: Not very enticing... (Score: 1)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2015-04-23 05:40 (#7MQ8)

Republic Wireless is also an MVNO, and yet they have better pricing.

Re: Not very enticing... (Score: 1)

by reziac@pipedot.org on 2015-04-25 00:28 (#7S5C)

Used to be higher than that; it's changed since last I looked, now definitely looks attractive.

https://republicwireless.com/plans/

But do they resell Sprint, like most of these MVNOs?? cuz that's not real useful in my area.

Re: Not very enticing... (Score: 1)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2015-04-25 05:01 (#7SCS)

Used to be higher than that
Actually, it used-to be lower... $19/mo for unlimited voice/text + 5GB of data. You can still get that plan if you buy a used Defy XT (or an even older LG Optimus) phone from an old RW customer. Lots of reasons not to do that, though... Old Android 2.x phone, and WiFi to cell hand-off apparently never worked properly.
But do they resell Sprint, like most of these MVNOs?? cuz that's not real useful in my area.
They offer FREE roaming onto Verizon for VOICE calls at least. It's only where you've got a weak Sprint signal that keeps breaking up that you'll curse their coverage... No roaming data right now, but that could change (likely for an extra fee).

RW is a little cheap and rough around the edges... Their voicemail timestamps are stuck on EDT times, with no indication they'll ever fix it. Text & calls on rare occasions may appear to come from a different phone#. etc.

Re: Not very enticing... (Score: 1)

by zafiro17@pipedot.org on 2015-04-23 16:02 (#7NXY)

It's expensive economically but interesting technically. If it leads to interest the market may open up and prices will come down as a result.

Re: Not very enticing... (Score: 2, Insightful)

by reziac@pipedot.org on 2015-04-25 00:24 (#7S5B)

Also means it'll have the same limited area service as Sprint and T-Mobile, neither of which is worth much here in Montana.

I've had T-Mobile -- reception was decent, but could not get voicemail in any roaming area.

I've had service via a Sprint reseller -- worst reception ever. Zero to two bars when anything else got four, and 3-4 bars when everything else got five.

So I feel less than enthusiastic on those counts.

As to the cost -- maybe if they'd offer phone only (unlimited) and BYOP (I'm not interested in buying another phone for their service; I already own Sprint and T-Mobile specific phones). I'm not interested in paying $10/GB to use a crappy phone interface.

And where the hell did the Moderate button disappear to??

Re: Not very enticing... (Score: 1)

by bryan@pipedot.org on 2015-04-27 04:09 (#7WX8)

And where the hell did the Moderate button disappear to?
Because changing the drop down option will immediately change the moderation when you have JavaScript enabled, the "button" is not needed. However, if you turn off JavaScript in your profile settings, the moderate button will be visible and must be pressed to submit the form.