Google's own carrier offering definitely has some appeal.
If you're an Android enthusiast, you've likely already heard of Project Fi. But that doesn't mean you necessarily know everything about it, so we're here to give you the high-level look at this new carrier option from Google. Namely just what the heck it is, how it works compared to other carriers and maybe a few reasons why you'd want to try it.
If you're interested in checking out phone service from Google, be sure to follow along with some of the high points below and get acquainted with Project Fi.
What is Project Fi?
At the highest level, Project Fi is a prepaid phone carrier offering from Google. It works by giving you mobile data service on two mobile networks, which your phone will intelligently switch between — it also uses Wifi to make calls and send texts whenever available. Project Fi is a "prepaid" carrier, meaning you pay up front for your service in the trailing month, which is the opposite of a traditional carrier that bills you after you use the service.
Fi is focused on simplified billing. You pay $20 per month for unlimited talk and texting, and a flat rate of $10 per gigabyte of data used. At the start of each month you simply estimate how much data you'll use and pay for that amount — at the end of the month you'll receive either a refund for data you didn't use, or pay a little extra on the next bill for data overages. You'll always pay at the same $10 per gigabyte rate, though, no matter what.
How does it work?
Project Fi works with a special SIM card — and a little software on your phone — that can authenticate you on both T-Mobile and Sprint, and switch between them on the fly based on a variety of factors. Because it can also use Wifi for calls and texts, you can keep using your phone in places where mobile data isn't that great. Extra software called a "Wifi Assistant" will automatically connect your phone to open Wifi access points when you're out of the house, reducing your data usage without any intervention on your part.
When you use Project Fi, you also get some of the same features that have made Google Voice popular over the years. You can forward phone calls to your Fi number to any phone you want, as well as view voicemail, make calls and send texts with that number from any device using the Hangouts app.
Project Fi also works internationally in 120 countries around the world with no additional cost for data use or texting. You can call at a flat rate to any number while on the cellular networks abroad, or pay much lower rates when calling on Wifi. You can also call back home to the U.S. on Wifi for free. Data used internationally just comes out of your standard $10 per gigabyte bucket, but speeds are limited to 256kbps (double what T-Mobile offers outside of North America).
Why do I want it?
Well, this is really a personal question of whether you actually want to try Project Fi. Chances are if you're reading Android Central you're at least one step closer to being the target audience for the Google-powered carrier, but there are a few other boxes to check that make it the right choice for you.
The first limitation is phone choice. Google lets you choose from one of its latest three Nexus phones — the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X or Nexus 6 — but those are the only three phones you can use with the service right now. You can request an invite to be part of Project Fi, and when you're selected you'll have either a SIM card for your existing Nexus shipped out or you can buy a new phone right from Google, including with 24 month financing. You can use it for as long or short as you like, and there's no activation fee or service commitment.
There are lots of cool features that make Project Fi a good choice, like the simplified billing, included international features and improved network coverage through the use of two carriers and Wifi networks. Each one will have a different amount of draw for different people, though.
Project Fi's pricing isn't dramatically lower than other carriers out there, and whether it makes a good choice financially for you depends on your data usage and which features you want. We encourage you to do your pricing research before choosing which carrier is the best.
And whether you're still on the fence or just curious about it, be sure to follow all of our Project Fi coverage here at Android Central.
Reader comments
What is Project Fi, how does it work and why do I want it?
Love my Fi experience so far. Just can't wait for them to figure out family plans... If they keep this going rather than using this as a catalyst to spur changes in the mobile world. Hope they do... Though we're already starting to see changes (Republic Wireless).
Posted via the Android Central App
This is a hard choice.
Nexus 5 on Sprint MVNO FreedomPop with Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data for $19.99.
Or, buy a Nexus 6 at twice the price for the phone and pay a base price of $30 a month for 1GB of data.
FreedomPop has decent international plans too.
LG G2
GSIII
Galaxy Note 4
(The Sprint Lover)
how do you get unlimited data on FreedomPop? and how would I get a FreedomPop sim?
AT&T Nexus 5
You don't. They don't offer that. Not sure why the previous posted thinks they do :()
They do offer it. I have unlimited service through FreedomPop. It is about the only reason I use it. You get 1GB of 4G LTE service, then it gets throttled to 3G unlimited data after that. Or you can earn or pay for more 4G LTE data.
You're lucky you have good Sprint service.. I was a former 10+yr customer..
Another good option is Ting. Another Sprint MVNO
Nexus 5 (AT&T)
In my area (Dallas) my G3 (Sprint) gets about as good speed and slightly better call connectivity than my Nexus 6 (Verizon).
Good to know, since I'm moving to Dallas soon. How is Tmo's service in Dallas? From their coverage map it seems pretty good so I think Fi in Dallas should be a great experience.
FreedomPop call quality when not on wifi is really bad, because it's all VOIP based and they have a lot of hidden fees. If you use the cellular fallback, you have to pay extra. They also limit to the use of their Freedompop apps which are not well implemented. Last, they don't offer switching over between network seemlessly.
Unlimited crap is still crap
Love Fi too. Not sure what advantage a family plan would have -- since you pay only for the exact amount of data that you use, pooling data is not an advantage. Maybe lower base rates ($20 for first phone, $15 for second, etc.)? Or a straight flat rate per phone, like Ting's $6 per phone. Ting has been great for my "family plan" (no real family plan, just $6/mo per activated phone with pooled talk, messaging and data). The ability of Fi to use two cell networks and Wifi is a real plus over Ting or any other MVNO. Fi's unlimited talk is great, eliminates the need for the lost Google Voice capability of scheduling forwarding the Voice/Fi number to the home during the evening to save minutes. I hope Ting can compete - finer "grain" in the charges (Ting charges for by chunks, but the chunks are big, so I pay the full rate for 2GB data for 1.2GB of usage -- $10 more than .5-1GB, pay for 2000 minutes when the three users use only 1200, $17 more than 500-1000). Now that Ting has both GSM and CDMA options, Ting may be positioned to match or beat Fi on network access.
@dgemmer "Not sure what advantage a family plan would have -- since you pay only for the exact amount of data that you use, pooling data is not an advantage."
First off... If you have a family of 4 all using Fi, why would you want to manage 4 separate accounts and their data?
Secondly... with Fi you are not paying for the exact amount of data you use, you ware paying for 1GB at a time... If a family of 4 on Fi all used 1.2GBs of data in one month, currently that would cost $80 for 2GB(1.2GB) x 4 = 80GB of data... if Fi had shared data family plans this same family would save $30 because 1.2GB x 4 = 4.8GB(5GB) of data which would only be $50.
Is that true? My understanding is that they don't round up. So if you use 1.2GB, you don't pay $20 for 2GB. But $12 for 1.2GB
You are correct. They don't round up at all.
Posted via the Android Central App
Yup, all usage is prorated.
That's not correct. You pay for exactly the amount of data you use down to the penny. That's one of their biggest selling points. My last couple bills have been $33.xx and $38.xx
You are not paying for a full GB, only partial usage. You are incorrect.
Posted via the Android Central App
Really, no kidding... that was posted 3 months ago and this article has been updated since then. Great job on being the 4th person to say my post was incorrect. Maybe another 3 months from now I can get another 4 people to say it was wrong, cause you know apparently the first 3 people wasn't enough. If I could edit my post to correct it I would.
Your comment was very wrong
Posted via the Android Central App
LOL ok captain obvious... you win the internet!
So wrong bro, very wrong :)
#trolling
Here's an idea to help grow Fi. Offer a family plan where its:
$10/GB for 1 phone
$9/GB for 2 phones
$8/GB for 3 phones
$7/GB for 4 phones
$6/GB for 5 phones
and $5/GB for 6+ phones
so a big family (or company) would pay $25/phone for 1GB of data or $150 per month. That is cheaper than any of the big 4 carriers.
They could launch the new pricing structure next year when we get 2 new Nexi so you'd have these wholesale plans with 5 possible phones which should help Fi become a major player compared to some of the other MVNOs.
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Posted via the Android Central App
خ8خالسلام لا
Posted via the Android Central App
Nexus 6 requirement kills it for me. Too big and in my opinion, still too expensive especially with so many great choices though I'd love to have the Fi experience with my GS3 :)
Not only that, the AMOLED display on it is weak. I've heard good things about the camera, but then again it isn't on par with its rivals either
The Nexus 6 display is not weak. I've done the side by side comparisons and I actually like the natural look of the Nexus 6 screen compared to that of the Note 4. The screen on the Note 4 just doesn't do it for me. The camera on the Nexus 6 is fine. I'm currently using manual camera and it's amazing.
Posted via Morse Code
OMG, that's hilarious
Try the note 4 on the basic display mode. You'll never go back to adaptive display. It's brilliant. Colors may seem washed out at first but once you stick with it for a day and are used to it it's amazing. Very natural tone. Can't speak about the N6 screen, as I don't have one currently... But I'm working on that. Just trying to find someone willing to trade me a 64gb nexus 6 for my 64gb s6 edge on Verizon. No takers so far :-\
Posted via my S6 Edge running Extreme Syndicate at warp speed
You don't have to speak to the Nexus 6's screen. Cartoon city, so unnatural. Can fix via root and tweaks, but that's a ridiculous solution. It's a horrible panel, the end.
You forgot to append "in my humble opinion."
Sorry but the most natural display is the most accurate, true-to-life display. What you're looking for is the most nostalgic display. Much like vinyl doesn't actually reproduce sound all that well. It just has a tone you like.
Stop it. We are not talking about hardware. We are talking about data plans. I respect your opinion usually but you are going out of your way recently to bash everything that isn't Samsung.
Posted via the Android Central App
I've noticed that as well.
Posted via Morse Code
Yeah, my wife has a note 4 and I had a nexus 6. No comparison. Note 4 was a much nicer screen.
No need for exaggerations
Every time you post I feel like your stroking your Touchwiz.
Posted via the Android Central App
Hehehe. Well played sir :)
Looks like your better days are behind you...
Posted via the Android Central App
Strike that...reverse it.
Posted via my ZenFone 2 with 4GB RAM!
It's not weak at all. It's actually too bright most times and I have to keep it at half or less brightness setting. Not to mention the amoled part helps save battery.
Posted via the Android Central App
You guys have no idea what you're talking about
Posted via the Android Central App
You can use nexus 5x and 5p.
Posted via the Android Central App
I would definitely try it if only I could get ahold of a nexus 6... Hopefully a good option to get off Verizon :|
Posted via the Android Central App
I don't understand this sentence, it contradict its self. Is there a fee or is it no additional cost?
"Project Fi also works internationally in 120 countries around the world for no additional cost. You can call at a flat rate to any number while on the cellular networks abroad, or pay much lower rates when calling on Wifi."
Posted via the Android Central App
What I don't understand is, when you're on WiFi why are the calls not free?
LG G2
GSIII
Galaxy Note 4
(The Sprint Lover)
They still have to connect the call, I'm sure there's an easy way to avoid that through vpn and chat service though.
Posted via the Android Central App
Not really. The call rate is always going to be determined by the number you're calling from and calling to. They have to charge you for that, it costs them money. You get cheaper rates when calling on Wifi because it costs them less to route the call, but it still costs something.
The only way to avoid the calling rates would be to use a local SIM for the area you're at, and only call number locally.
What? I thought it was unlimited calls and texting?
Posted via Morse Code
We're talking international here.
Oh LoL
Posted via Morse Code
Andrew always with good info. Learned something today.
Posted via the ACA on NEXUS 6
Yeah I'm about to travel to Russia and will get to experience how this works. I'll report back if I get raped by charges but I was told it was 20c per minute (on cell service) while in Russia. That isn't bad at all and for the first time it just doesn't make sense to buy local sim cards while traveling to places like that.
There is a flat rate per minute to call back to the US. That rate depends in what country you're in. I was told it was $.20/minute from Mexico and i travel there often, but I haven't seen my newest bill to verify that. But if I'm on WiFi in Mexico, the rate was $.01/minute.
Posted via the Android Central App
Right. only difference is it's free to call back to the U.S. when you're on Wifi (or using the Hangouts app to make VOIP calls).
Project Fi doesn't charge you to travel internationally. They just charge you by the minute if you're calling international numbers. If you call on Wifi, you get a lower rate since there's less cost to Google on routing the call.
I can clarify the first sentence to explain simply that you don't get charged to roam internationally. That's a separate statement from calling rates.
Unfortunately it's tough to say succinctly what you'll pay when calling internationally. The rates differ based on where you are, who you're calling (and where they are), and even whether you're calling a land line or mobile number. Rates also change, as I said, based on whether you're calling over Wifi or a roaming cellular network.
This Fi nonsense isn't a good deal at all. It's a standard deal for most mvnos and sometimes more expensive.. Also runs on Sprint, which isn't very good in many areas. But from what I hear it's getting much better.. I've yet to see any Sprint customers lately..
Nexus 5 (AT&T)
I have no issues w/ Sprint where I'm at in southern California. But I left them to join PFi specifically for the data roaming and international calling. I'm needing that more and more lately.
Posted via the Android Central App
It switches between Sprint AND T-Mobile.
Ahh, forgot about that
Nexus 5 (AT&T)
It's about comparable to most carriers out there when you're using less than 5GB of data per month on average. After that point, even the postpaid carriers are going to be a better deal. As I said in the last section, Fi does have its draws based on a few different features, including the refunds for unused data and the use of multiple networks + Wifi calling. There's more to a carrier than just the bottom line, y'know.
I'm curious about all this wi-fi business (AT&T has it now also) everything I've ever read has said not to log into random/unknown hot spots. Is there some kind of protocol I'm not aware of that keeps the phones secured while jumping around? Otherwise it seems like a great way for someone to gain unauthorized access to your phone.
Posted via the Android Central App
I do not want it badly enough to wait 12 more weeks after requesting an invite Apr 24th. Nexus 6 will be sold by then most likely. Was keeping my AT&T line anyway.
Posted via my ZenFone 2 with 4GB RAM!
Fi is a strange concept. The data buckets are mad expensive. This makes it an odd approach for a cloud based company. I know, wifi, but I need data as I'm not sitting in an office all day. My ATT rollover data (50gigs per month average) works. 3 lines. $130 a month (23% discount). Works out to $43 month/line. Sure Fi is less, but I actually use the cloud as Google intended. Plus tethering my Fire TV stick in hotels. It's niice.
Posted via the Android Central App
Yeah I wouldn't say the data is "mad expensive", but they don't make sense for anyone using 4-5GB a month regularly. Thing is most people are < 4GB per month, and with the refunds and such, it can make sense financially.
I m y case it is. I'm with Cricket (AT&T) and pay $55 monthly for 20 gigs of data in Fi it would cost about $170 a month. I'm a driver, and drive like 12 hours daily, 5 days a week and use my phone to listen to music and podcasts, and listen to you guys every week.
I have the same plan and see Fi as way too expensive. Make it $5/GB and then I may give it a chance.
Posted via the Android Central App
Stop lying. You do not have 3 lines with possibly a 20+ gig data plan and pay 130$ a month. The 23% discount is only on the data plan. Your 100% full of shit.
HAHHAHA bust that dbag! LOL love it...fem
I've heard that you can activate Project FI service on a SIM loaded in a Nexus 6 and then just transfer the SIM to another phone if you want so you can have Project Fi service on another phone. Is this true?
Definitely not that easy. It takes modification of the phone's software as well.
I wouldn't recommend that. The Nexus 6 limitation will not be permanent. You're better of waiting until the device support is opened up than try to shoehorn it onto an unsupported device.
I heard this works with the iPhone 6, but you are limited to only one network, I believe Sprint, it doesn't switch between networks or WiFi.
Oh can't wait for this..
Posted via the Android Central App
So you can only get it on a mediocre nexus 6? Ehh, I'll pass.....hehehe
You must have a real boring life lol
Delivered by my Nexus 6
He's a 49ers fan. Sums it up.
Posted via the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 running Lollipop 5.0.1 on the T-Mobile Network.
Baaa-zing! Dude literally trolls these forums bashing any non Samsung device.
LG G4
Do you know why Samsung doesn't make a superior flagship phone to rule them all?
Because you Touchwiz yourself at night. BTW windows 8 called, you'd probably be in love with that too.
Posted via the Android Central App
Hey, don't be bagging on windows 8, douchebag!! It's a brilliant OS. Just misunderstood is all. You got a problem with live tiles and unintuitive UI design or something, dickwad?
Hehehe
Nexus 6, 5x, and 6p.
What if you need to bring over a family is there a plan to do so?
Posted via the Android Central App
Nope. Not yet.
Posted via the Android Central App
No family plans, and we're not sure if Google intends to.
As in shared data? What's the point? You actually pay for what you use.
I just signed up for it. I have the Note 4 and Nexus 6 64 GB, the Nexus 6 runs circles around the Note 4, even though both devices have the same hardware, the Nexus 6 is faster and smoother than the Note 4 "maybe 5.1.1 will fix the Note 4 issues, but I think the issue is TW", the screen is a bit better on the Note 4, but not by a wide margin like some people think it is, also the front speakers on the Nexus 6 are real sweet, my Nexus 6 is my daily driver "nothing like the smoothness of pure Android". I don't have big hands, and handle the Nexus 6 just fine, and my pockets also have no issues with the Nexus 6, I honestly could never use a smaller phone. I am on Verizon at the moment with unlimited data plan, but only have the 400 minutes plan, and am paying an arm and a leg for my monthly service, figure I can try the Google fi service on the Nexus 6 for a few months and see how it works, if it doesn't pan out I will just stay with Verizon.
Posted via the Android Central App
The same old regurgitated garbage that nexus 6 lovers spew all the time, lmao. Why in the hell is this Note 4 on 5 0.1 launching and loading the majority of apps faster than the nexus 6 on 5.1.1 it's going up against in this side by side comparison? Surely this can't be the case, can it? Lmao!!!!
Fyi, my experience was exactly the same in a side by side comparison between the 2 a little over a month ago. Only difference was I went through more, about 30 popular games, apps, native apps, and heavy websites. The Note 4 ended up winning the comparison by about 6 or 7. It looks like samsung made some decent optimizations on its note 4 LP build
https://youtu.be/O5165taNvp4
Are we still debating Note 4 vs Nexus 6? I thought we were talking about data plans.
Posted via the Android Central App
Everything on the Nexus 6 is just faster, from loading apps, browsing the web, everything, I have both devices and use them on a daily basis, do you. I am not a fan of any manufacturer, I say it like I see it, not sugar coating anything, and I have owned the Note 4 longer than the Nexus 6, pure Android without a heavy skin like TW will be smoother, there is no way around it, shit, my Nexus 7 2013 Tablet is smoother and faster than my Note 4.
Posted via the Android Central App
First of all, I don't think you use both on a daily basis. I think that's just something that a select few nerds tend to say when they want to make a point. Secondly, between the comparison I provided you and my in depth experience with both (no, I don't own a nexus 6 or use one daily, but i've used it extensively and compared it and the Note 4 on its latest TW build extensively) your argument doesn't hold water. And this is comparing the 2 with the 6 on a newer version with all 4 CPU cores conatantly active since the bump up to 5.1.1. I went into my comparisons expecting a disparity between the 2. Didn't pan out that way, which is very interesting. So comments of performance disparities between the 2 are foolish exaggerations
Whatever, we all know that if anyone puts down your Note 4 you start acting like a five year old child, and yes I use both phones, both have their uses, it's just that the Nexus 6 gets used a lot more, I also like to have two phones for backup purposes, but that's just me, not everyone can be like you, LOL.
Posted via the Android Central App
Ya, it's always nice to have 2 phablets with identical internals launched within a month of eachother to play around with, right? I'm sure they go nicely with your G4, galaxy S6, and one M9 I'm sure you claim to have when it suits your argument
You just sound like a hater now. Why can't have a N6 and note 4 at the same time? Obviously he's a lover of tech or he wouldn't be here chatting it up with you. Samsung fanbois are always very defensive and always laugh really hard after every childish post. (LMAO)
Woah guys, watch out! This guy can count and organize sentences! Must be that beautiful Touchwiz technology enhancing his mind!!
Listen pal, good luck with the Samsung propaganda train. Tylenol for headaches, midol for cramps.
Posted via the Android Central App
I feel like I'm watching commercials in North Korea, it's like I know everything your saying isn't true but I can't stop reading it. You neglected to mention how hot that note 4 was when you attempted to thrash the non bloated nexus in your 'accredited side by side tests.'
Posted via the Android Central App
"He" wasn't always like this, he used to be very helpful and nice. Something happened. Either that or someone else is using his account.
Posted via Morse Code
I thought something happened to you that time you had a bat shit crazy rage attack over clean master on the Galaxy S6, or was it over the supposed superiority of the iphone's lithium ion battery? Lol, you really lost your shit on that one. I assume a prescribed regimen of some sort has been successful as of late?
Your exactly right. I've been prescribed a cocktail of 6 inch high resolution display, front facing speakers, 3220mah battery, 3gbs of RAM, 64gbs of internal memory, and Vanilla Android (version 5.1.1.). I'm feeling much better now.
Posted via Morse Code
Ehh...that was kinda gay :/
Go to bed......... You probably have a 2 hour commute in Bay Area traffic tomorrow.
Posted via Morse Code
Im glad those days are over for me my friend.....and what God aweful mornings and evenings they were
Yup....... Those days are over for me as well.
Posted via Morse Code
The Note 4 is a gimmicky joke. Touchwiz is an utter disaster and an abomination to Android. Before anyone tries to discredit me let it be known that along with a Nexus 6 I own an S3, S5 and my girlfriend has a Note 4. The Nexus 6 is the smoothest of them all and gets things done more efficiently. The gaming experience on the Nexus 6 is pure awesomeness. I could go on and on speaking the greatness of the Nexus 6. It is a big phone and will take some time to get used to but once you've used the Nexus 6 you won't want to go back to anything else.
Posted via Morse Code
Uh huh. You don't sound like you have your head up your ass, or like you don't have the slightest clue what the hell you're talking about either. /S carry on knucklehead.
Time to look in the mirror my friend. That shit stain is looking right back at you.
Posted via the Android Central App
He can't afford a mirror. He spent all his money modifing his Note 4.
Posted via the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 running Lollipop 5.0.1 on the T-Mobile Network.
Do you have anything to say about Project Fi?
Posted via the Android Central App
I'm interested, and I think it's a great idea that google has here. IDK about the $10 per gig of mobile data, but once the nexus 2015 is launched I might give it some serious considerarion. I hope it's a game changer in the future
9ersfan you have turned into supertroll. WTF man?!?!? This is supposed to be supposed to be about Project Fi and the first thing you did is turn this into a Nexus bashing fiesta. Just so you know fanboyism is dead. Just stop already. Leave the fanboy nonsense to the neanderthals. You're better than this.
Posted via Morse Code
Lmao!!! Fanboyism definately isn't dead for you based on all of the nexus 6 related comments I've seen you write on here as of late. As for me, I'd pay a premium price for any android device with an excellent display and top of the line internals. Hell i'd rock a mutha***** Xaomi handset if it fit the bill. But when it comes to the display I can't put motorola in that category unfortunately after comparing it to top of the line AMOLED, but that's just my opinion
Exactly. On the recent Nexus 6 articles I've had good things to say because I'm having a good experience with my Nexus 6. I've also said lots of good things about the newly released S6 Active.
Posted via Morse Code
So, don't feed the troll. Simple. :)
Posted via the Android Central App
Your girlfriend huh? Yea ok clown. Note 4 is a much better phone than the nexus 6. Keep it up with the lies
Posted via the Android Central App
12+ more weeks and I'll maybe get a chance to decide for myself how well this'll work for me.
Posted via the Android Central App using a Project fi-less Nexii 6
I'll stick with Republic Wireless. Do we really want to give Google more of our data?
"Take back your digital life!" GabrielSecure.com
Data's going to be collected by any carrier you choose. Doesn't really make a difference if it's Google.
An android fan site isn't a good place to get unbiased opinions on project fi.
Nobody ever said we were unbiased, but we do our best to be objective and present things how we see them.
Project Fi is perfect if you know ahead of time that your not going to be using much Mobile data. I still think Straight Talk's unlimited talk text and 5gbs of data for $45.00 is a great deal.
Posted via Morse Code
Project Fi, Straight Talk, or Cricket. Or two of them.
Google Voice, doesn't do well with MMS/Group messaging. Is it the same case for project fi?
Project Fi can handle group MMS if you use the built-in Google Messenger app on the Nexus 6.
You can send/receive MMS pictures whether you use Google Messenger or Hangouts, though. I don't use group MMS much (or SMS much at all either), so I go with Hangouts personally.
You can also use Textra for Fi SMS/MMS. Just confirmed it yesterday on my 6p! Loving it...
When will it roll out?
The International service sounds really interesting. On a trip to Europe in 2012, I had to buy one SiM in the UK and another when I crossed over to the Continent. In 2014, I didn't buy any SIMs because I was on a river cruise where the boat had wi-fi 90% of the time, but I could only use my phone for data and email, the texts didn't work. This plan seems like it would make things so much easier.
The billing simplicity is nice. Just use your data as you would locally. No specific data passes or anything like that, that's what's nice.
I bought a sim when I went to Europe last fall to 3 countries through a service. It ran me about $8 a day for 100mb a day. This seems like a way better option.
If you don't use prepaid (I do), AT&T has a good rate on data roaming internationally for low usage.
If you are going to one country, it is probably cheapest to just buy a prepaid sim locally. If you don't speak the language, this can be tricky though.
Not really a good deal if you spend lots of time off wi-fi. Better off sticking with T-Mobile or Sprint.
Posted via the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 running Lollipop 5.0.1 on the T-Mobile Network.
Exactly
Posted via Morse Code
Yep, definitely not for regular big data users. But if you're someone who's in the 2-4GB range regularly, but sometimes tips under that, you can get the nice refunds and change your plan month to month without issue. Then if you happen to have a month where you need a lot of data or tether a lot, you're gonna be able to simply buy those few extra gigs. It's the simplicity that's a big selling point.
Everyone I know on t-mobile say this is way cheaper.
Thanks for this article. It is a concise primer and I hadn't been paying attention to this particular project. Although I just got a Nexus 6 I will not be on Project Fi with it. I travel a lot domestically and need Verizon's wider and more reliable coverage. Although it's not perfect - there are definite spots where one of the other carriers would do better - but generally speaking, this is why I stick with Verizon. As much as I dislike it.
Posted via Android Central App
Totally understand that.
Posted via Morse Code
data plan seems a little expensive if you travel a lot. I guess if you have access to WiFi and not use a lot of data this plan not to bad I guess.
Also josh you won this one off by 15 min.
Posted via the Android Central App
My bill would have been $620 last month. I don't see the draw of this unless you just don't use data.
Posted via the Android Central App
Yeah I average 40-60GB a month. I have unlimited data on Verizon and use data carelessly. Half my data usage is YouTube and snapchat which I feel I can just use WiFi for on Project Fi. Just wondering if it's worth the risk to switch. (Verizon is costing me $80 a mo. With unlimited data)
Posted via the Android Central App
When I had "unlimited" data on Verizon I was throttled to death.
I already pay less for more and don't have or want a Nexus 6 (had a 4 and was disappointed in size and price of the 6). However, the international data option is interesting to me when traveling internationally. I would get a sim for when I travel if they expand this beyond the Nexus 6.
I guess I shall wait for the new Nexus 5 and hope we get Fi on that too.
I just cannot afford Fi. I would love to try it with my Nexus 6, but i average 25+ gb of data a month, and can go as high as 110. Fi would bankrupt me.
110 gigs, really, time to get some Internet service for your home.
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Well good thing there are other choices.
What do you people do to use that much data on a phone??? Really want to say its ridiculous but then feel like an ass when people come back and say work on curring cancer or poverty and not stream shit loads of movies and music or tether to your whole household or etc...
See my comment below. I'm a driver and use my cell to listen to music and podcasts and use an average of 15 gigs monthly.
But it's really easy to predownload podcasts. Most apps do it automatically at night.
This doesn't seem that new. I'm in New Zealand on the 2degrees network. They share networks with Vodafone so if I'm closer to a Vodafone cell tower it switches network without interruption and costs the same. It is 30usd for unlimited calls and texts to nz and Australia plus 2.5gig. But if I don't use all the data it rolls over and adds onto the next month at no cost. Extra gig of data is 6usd.
I'm with Cricket. I pay $55 a month for 20 gigs of data of which l used a little over 15. I'm a driver, drive all night and use my phone to listen to Google Music and Pandora and to podcasts, so Project FI will cost me .at least $170 a month; so it's not for me
Have you considered Satellite Radio? I pay $10/month for the basic package of SiriusXM and love it! I can't stand commercials and I like having the same channels wherever I go
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How do you get 20GB for the price of the 10GB plan? Did you jump on a promotion?
I love T-Mobile, I understand it has less coverage than Verizon, but I get unlimited talk, text, and data for $20 a month, no strings attached, and where I live in fine with T-Mobile coverage
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How did you get that deal?
Posted via my Nexus 5X
Is that like an ancient deal from when smartphones first came out?
I got my Invite but didn't want to move my GV number over to hangouts (still using it with some old hardware at home). So I guess I'll wait a little longer for an invite on a different account
Does anyone know if Project Fi uses VoLTE for calls, or falls back to 3G? Also, if you're on a WiFi call and switch to cellular, does it work from WiFi to 3G, or just WiFi to LTE (assuming VoLTE is working)?
I've never heard of a WiFi to 3G call handoff, but maybe it exists?
I don't know for certain, but I've had Fi for about a week and a half now. I haven't noticed a voice call that HASN'T fallen to 3G (I can't vouch for ones where I'm talking over my car bluetooth or through headphones). When I hang up, the phone then goes back to whatever mediocre LTE signal I can get via T-Mobile in my area.
I did look into this but unfortunately, I'm stuck in a Verizon only area. It sucks that big red has a monopoly on us rural ppl. Gotta love that coverage though.
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Not that great of a deal! I'm on the two lines with unlimited talk text and 4G LTE for $100 with T-Mobile and I average 12 - 15 GB per month on my line and my daughter averages 4 - 5 on her line.. I like the concept but it would cost me more money!
For most people that aren't on ancient plans. This is a great deal.
My plan is only a few months old (I signed up for it back in January of this year). I think Fi is a decent deal for individual plans.. But even right now T-Mobile offers 4 lines for $120 with 10 GB of 4G LTE per line. On the individual front they offer 5 GB of data plus unlimited talk & text for $70 per month... Which is exactly what you'd pay on Fi (as long as you "Average" roughly 5 GB per month) and then unlimited throttled data... or $80 per month and you get unlimited 4G LTE data... If you have months where you use 1 or 2 GB and months that you use 5 or more then Fi would be a good deal overall. Plus you have the added benefit of being to able to piggy back between Sprint and T-Mobile. The overlap should help some of the dead zones if you move around a lot. But most people stay in the same spot/area over and over while rarely roaming outside of their home area..
I am on Project Fi since 10/30 and loving it so far. Will see how it is after several months of usage while traveling around the Atlanta area and cost savings versus my old Verizon plan
Awesome article.
I feel like $10 per gigabyte is kinda expensive tho.
Posted via the ONE M9
Not kinda
When we die, we go bye-bye. - Sal Vulcano
Yes absolutely agreed especially since I use Unlimited Data on T-Mobile.
Posted via my Nexus 5X
If that deal still existed I would agree.
It's not expensive for lower-end data consumption. It's very expensive once you're talking about 5+GB plans. This service is made for people who can camp on wifi all day or don't use much data.
T-Mobile's single user plans are still waaaay too expensive. But their family plans are much better than Fi. For $120+taxes (~$140), you get 4 lines with 10GB each. Even with 1GB on Fi, I'd just break even on cost with T-Mobile. On top of that, I'm in Atlanta, where Comcast has a cap of 300GB. (Don't even get me started on Comcast). And I keep getting perilously close to the cap most months. So Fi just doesn't make any sense. The only advantage is that you also get Sprint coverage. I just got off Sprint and moved to T-Mobile. Sprint, even in a large city like Atlanta is pathetic.
T-Mobile needs to drop it's single line plans. Don't know why they don't do that.
I passed on the Fi invitation. Now if only Google Fiber came to Atlanta burbs. I'd be so allover it!! I can't think of a more satisfying call than to Comcast to cancel service.
s
I would actually sign up for Fi if they had at least HSPA+ coverage in Canada haha
Love projects like this, but sadly Sprint and T mobile do not work in the town I live in. Sprint and T mobile should extend their service to small towns not just cities
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Yeah, it's a problem. I'm currently trying Fi on my new Nexus 5X. I live outside a decent-sized city, but even out here in the suburbs, the coverage is really spotty. I got great coverage on AT&T/Cricket all throughout the area, but T-Mo and Sprint barely register at my house. Some areas my coverage drops out completely right after being 4 bars of LTE.
It's hard to judge the battery life on my new phone when the cell network strength bar in the battery app is 90% orange/red. I struggle to get through the day right now... I'm guessing my battery will improve substantially when I switch back to Cricket.
Makes me mad, because I really want to support this type of venture... I just wish that Google used AT&T instead of Sprint.
I'm paying 76$ a month for unlimited talk and text and 5gb of data on t mobile but I never use all five, barely 3 , so project Fi would save me around 20$ hmmmmm
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Same exact scenario here... On the fence about pulling the trigger. Save $240 a year or two using fi and put that money towards a new phone. This is my thought.
Had it for 2 months on my nexus 6. It was simpliied billing but the coverage was not as good as Att where I live. Cancelled it.
Posted via my S6 with Samsung Pay!
Being a prepaid carrier doesn't mean anything. I thought all 4 major US carriers are prepaid. I know for a fact Sprint and T-Mobile are.
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I will join project fi when google native apps google music, google maps and google movies does not count towards your data. Until then I am happy with my Crickett $55 plan w 29gb data and unlimited calls and text with taxes included.
Yeah, that cricket plan keeps tempting me, but ATT gets very congested at times. And ATT treats cricket as second class, and caps and throttles speeds. I haven't noticed anything odd about Fi, even T-Mobile speeds are just as erratic.
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I hear you but in a year w them have not any congestion issues and very smooth. 8mbps speeds has been perfect for streaming any music app or movie service like Netflix.
Had T-Mobile...switched to Fi. Same if not better coverage. I had a T-Mo unlimited plan with and ex-employee discount which meant I was paying about $72 after taxes. I use over 5gb maybe two months out of the year...the rest I'm at 1-3gb and saving 20-30$ a month. Added perks are nice as well. I like that anything on WiFi with hangouts is now my cellphone not just my actual active sim.
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Should be better since you are adding sprint.
Let me know when other phones are involved. A nexus phone only does the basics for me,not what I need it to do
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I saw a video of someone using a t-mobile s6 on fi.
Stick a project fi sim in an unlicked phone and you will get tmo. All the features do kot work though.
FYI, Fi users don't have to be stuck only using stock Messenger/Hangouts for sms/mms. Textra's latest build has Fi support for both. Just confirmed it on my 6p with sending sms/mms with pics to several co-workers and back. Love it!!!
When you pay "a flat rate of $10 per gigabyte of data used", how do we know if this is LTE, 3G, 2G or Edge? Is there any way of know the speed of the data usage for which you are paying? Is it throttled down after a certain amount of usage?
I no longer have the Nexus 6.... then I received a new Project Fi invite so I requested a SIM card.
I now have a SIM card but i can't activate it.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Unlimited talk I don't need, nor want.
Sprint is junk where I live.
Prefer T-Mobile's $30 for unlimited texts, unlimited data (5 gigs LTE before throttling), 100 minutes talk.
Oh, and my unlocked, 18-month-old Nexus 5, rooted, on 4.4.2, is perfect, so a new phone is out of the question.
Posted via the Android Central App
May have considered testing this if it didn't require being locked into a Nexus phone.
I requested an invitation to join Fi immediately after I preordered my Nexus 5X and got an invitation seconds later. Been using Fi for like 2 weeks and no complaints. I'm on WiFi most all day so I look forward to my next bill.
If this was viable choice for Canada I would get it alot better than 70$ a month on telus. But the data speed would be bad here..
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You're writing these articles as if they're going to be read only by Americans. You've failed to mention that you've to be a US citizen to use it.
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I travel internationally pretty often, and AT&T had me on a $240/month plan that included only 300MB of international data. I had to manually toggle the cellular data on and off and save it for emergencies. I switched to Fi and am paying a little over $80/month including financing of the phone and have gigs of international available now. Yes, it's throttled to 3G when traveling but that is fine for my needs.
However, saving on international wasn't my only driver. I was moving from IOS to Android (I just like switching things up) but was really stuck on the tight integration Apple had with managing text messages from the Desktop. Fi does this wonderfully without needing any kludgy apps proxying things through my phone. In fact, I can have my phone powered off in another location and still do texts and phone calls from my laptop (like on the Airplane wifi) using my standard phone number via Hangouts. It's great.
I'm hoping to see Fi begin supporting Android Wear as well, to leave my phone at home when I go to the gym, biking, etc.
I'm all in on Fi, for better or for worse. Just got a Nexus 6P and switched my 10-yr-old number just to use it. I love the billing and that I can finally take advantage of full Google Voice functionality such as texting from Hangouts on my desktop and wifi calling (my old number couldn't port to GV). I've been paying $60/month on AT&T prepaid but rarely used all 4 GB, so it will be nice to only be charged $40 for months in which I stay under 2GB.
Having said that, I've only had it for 3 days and already had an instance of placing a call to my wife, who told me she didn't have a missed call. Little paranoid about dropped calls or other Fi network malfunctions given how critical my phone is for work, but assuming there aren't any recurring hick-ups, I'm pretty pumped about Fi.
it's actually better than that, if you use less than 2 GB, you probably would only be charged $17 (if you used 1.7 GB that month)
I'm curious to see how its working. I try to use the Hangouts app for video calling from my Note 4 at home to a Galaxy S6, and it is not very good. The video is choppy, cuts in and out (when you can get the video to turn on) and the voice quality is splotchy.
I wish Google went lower on the data price. If you use over 10gb a month, this isn't much of a deal. $5 a gb is a deal.
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Few things to keep in mind: Fi doesnt support VoLTE, it doesn't support Band 12 LTE, and it doesn't switch as simultaneously as they say
The more I read about monthly plans in the US, the more I'm happy about my plan in Italy... I mean, if you really want everything unlimited, including a next gen Android phone or a new iPhone (on a 24/30 months contract) the maximum amount to be paid is like 50 euros (more or less 60 USD).
Now I'm on prepaid, and I have 300 minutes, 1000 sms (which I never use) and 7GB for 12 euros per month, LTE included and slow down to 32kbps (good for few whatsapp messages or some text only emails) if you exceed traffic.
I also have another phone, different carrier, with 150 minutes 150 sms and 1GB for 4.5 euros...
We surely don't have the same speed on LTE etc but hey, I'm cool with quantity over quality right now ;)
This would be great if Project Fi could add Verizon to its vendors, also maybe AT&T. Then you would have the best coverage at a very low price. But I guess Verizon and AT&T would see this as unacceptable competition, whereas Sprint needs the business....