Google Fi Wireless Explained

Logo Alt:Google Fi logo
Type:Mobile data and voice service
Protocols:GSM / UMTS / LTE / NR
Use:Wireless smartphone service
Owner:Google
Operator:T-Mobile
Current Status:Operational
Commercial:Yes

Google Fi Wireless (pronounced), formerly Project Fi and Google Fi, is an American MVNO telecommunications service by Google that provides telephone calls, SMS, and mobile broadband using cellular networks and Wi-Fi. Google Fi uses the T-Mobile network. Google Fi is a service for US residents only, as of late 2023.[1] As of August 2024, Google Fi shows their unlimited + service is available in the USA and has coverage in Mexico and Canada, included in all plans.[2]

The service was launched for the Nexus 6, by invitation only, on April 22, 2015. The service was opened to the public on March 7, 2016.[3] It began to work with additional device models, including the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, on October 4, 2016.[4] On November 28, 2018, Google rebranded Project Fi as Google Fi and made it work with more device models, including partially with iPhones.[5] In 2023, it was once again renamed Google Fi Wireless.[6]

History

Google Fi was announced exclusively for the Nexus 6 smartphone on April 22, 2015, on the Sprint and T-Mobile networks.[7] [8] [9] [10] Because of high demand at launch, the service required that users receive invitations, which were gradually released throughout summer 2015.[11] [12] The invitation system was dropped on March 7, 2016.[13] [14] [15] U.S. Cellular was added on June 8, 2016.[16] [17] [18] Three was added on July 12, 2016.[19] [20] [21] In October 2016, Google added the ability to use Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones,[22] and later introduced a Group Plan, letting subscribers add extra members to their plans.[23] [24] [25]

In February 2023, Google Fi and US Cellular discontinued their partnership, leaving T-Mobile as the only network usable with it in the US.[26] [27]

Features

Prior to the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile, Google Fi Wireless automatically switched between its partner networks depending on signal strength and speed.[28] It automatically connects to open Wi-Fi hotspots while securing data with encryption through an automatic VPN.[29] Phone calls transition to a cellular network if Wi-Fi coverage is lost.[30] [31] [32] [33]

Google Fi Wireless users could originally use the now defunct Google Hangouts on any phone, tablet, or computer to call and text.[34] Google Fi Wireless also implements VoLTE as part of a staged rollout.[35]

In addition to using a phone's physical SIM card, Google Fi offers a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) option whereby the customer uses their compatible phone (Google Pixel, Android or iPhone) using an eSIM (embedded SIM) virtual card to establish Google Fi as a standalone service or in conjunction with another provider. When a phone uses the DualSim, the phone owner can make and receive telephone calls from either Google Fi or the other mobile provider, but only one of the data service can be used at a time.[36]

In October 2021, Google Fi Wireless announced that it would allow end-to-end encrypted calls.[37]

Plans

Monthly plans start at $20 per month and are flat fee-based, paid at the beginning of each monthly billing cycle. All plans include unlimited calls and messaging. Money for unused data is credited back to the user's account, while overuse of data results in a charge of $10 per gigabyte.[38] When outside the United States, cellular phone calls cost $0.20 per minute, data costs the same $10 per gigabyte (i.e., there are no extra data charges outside of the US), and texting is free.[39] Data is free at full speeds between 6 GB and 15 GB for the duration of the billing cycle with Bill Protection. After 15 GB, data continues to be free but will be throttled to unspecified speeds.[40] A data-only SIM card can be used on tablets and other compatible devices, including the 2013 Nexus 7, Nexus 9, and iPad Air 2. The devices must be compatible with the T-Mobile network, and users can add up to 4 data-only SIM cards in one account (before July 2019 the limit was 9 data-only SIM cards in one account).[41] [42] [43]

A Group Plan, which allows users, referred to as "managers", to add other people, referred to as "members", to their subscription, costs an additional $15 per user. Group Plans let managers view data usage by member, set data notifications, add monthly allowances, and pause members' data usage. In June 2017, Group Plans were updated to feature "Group Repay", in which Google Fi Wireless automatically calculates each of the members' individual shares of the bill and allows for easy payments. Such payments can be a fixed amount, an individual's total usage, or only for data usage above the standard data allotment.[44] [45] [46]

Reception

Nicole Lee of Engadget praised the service's plans, writing that "In the course of six months, I've barely touched my monthly 2 GB data allotment and frequently receive money back each month from unused data. I found myself paying a little more than $20 a month for Fi, which is the least I've paid for a cell phone service, ever."[47] JR Raphael of Computerworld also praised the pricing strategy and network transitions. He noted that "Fi's customer support is [...] actually a pretty good experience", elaborating that "if you need extra help, both interfaces offer the ability to get 24/7 support from a real person via phone or email."[48]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Is Fi available to Canadian Consumers yet? If not is it possible to "roam" in Canada permanently? - Google Fi Help. support.google.com. 2019-10-24.
  2. Web site: Plans - Google Fi Help. fi.google.com. 2024-08-12.
  3. Web site: 5 Things To Know About Google's Project Fi. Popular Science. March 7, 2016 . en. 2018-12-06.
  4. Web site: Google's Pixel phones will be available through Project Fi. Welch. Chris. 2016-10-04. The Verge. 2018-12-06.
  5. Web site: Project Fi officially rebranded as 'Google Fi', now supports most Android phones and iPhones . Android Central . November 28, 2018 . November 28, 2018.
  6. Web site: Weatherbed . Jess . April 19, 2023 . Google Fi has a new name and expanded connectivity support for smartwatches . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419174001/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/19/23689628/google-fi-wireless-new-name-rebrand-smartwatch-connectivity-support . April 19, 2023 . April 19, 2023 . The Verge.
  7. Web site: Nick . Fox . Say hi to Fi: A new way to say hello . Official Google Blog . April 22, 2015 . March 25, 2017.
  8. Web site: Chris . Welch . Google launches its own mobile network for Nexus 6 owners . . April 22, 2015 . March 25, 2017.
  9. Web site: Ellen . Huet . Google Unveils Its 'Project Fi' Wireless Service . . April 22, 2015 . March 25, 2017.
  10. Web site: Chris . Velazco . Google's Project Fi service turns multiple phone networks into one . . . April 22, 2015 . March 25, 2017.
  11. Web site: Sam . Byford . Google's Project Fi invites won't roll out to everyone til mid-summer . . May 22, 2015 . March 25, 2017.
  12. Web site: Sarah . Perez . Google's Project Fi Invites To Reach Everyone By Mid-Summer . . . May 22, 2015 . March 25, 2017.
  13. Web site: Simon . Arscott . From "Hi" to Fi to "Goodbye" to invites: 7 things we've learned about Project Fi . The Keyword Google Blog . March 7, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  14. Web site: Jon . Fingas . Google's Project Fi no longer requires an invitation to join . . . March 7, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  15. Web site: Frederic . Lardinois . You can now sign up for Google's Project Fi cell service without an invite . . . March 7, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  16. Web site: Evan . Jacobs . More speed and coverage with U.S. Cellular — now part of Project Fi . The Keyword Google Blog . June 8, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  17. Web site: Sean . O'Kane . Google adds US Cellular to Project Fi . . June 8, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  18. Web site: Ron . Amadeo . Google's Project Fi cell service adds US Cellular to the mix . . June 8, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  19. Web site: Tyler . Kugler . Stay connected abroad with high speed data from Project Fi . The Keyword Google Blog . July 12, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  20. Web site: Paul . Miller . Google adds Three network to Project Fi's family to improve international speeds . . July 12, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  21. Web site: Ron . Amadeo . Google's Project Fi gets international LTE, adds Three to carrier lineup . . July 12, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  22. Web site: Marguerite . Reardon . Google adds Pixel phones to Project Fi lineup . . October 4, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  23. Web site: Marcia . Jung . Introducing Project Fi's group plan . The Keyword Google Blog . October 11, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  24. Web site: Nathan . Ingraham . Google's Project Fi now has family plans . . . October 11, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  25. Web site: Nick . Statt . Google introduces group plans for its Project Fi mobile network . . October 11, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  26. Web site: Nickolas Diaz . 2023-03-01 . Google Fi no longer uses US Cellular as part of its official network . 2023-03-01 . Android Central . en.
  27. Web site: Google Fi Ditches Another Mobile Network, Leaving Only T-Mobile . 2024-07-05 . CNET . en.
  28. Web site: Cade . Metz . In the New Wireless Universe, You're Finally at the Center . . May 1, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  29. Web site: Richard . Lawler . Google links Google Fi-approved WiFi hotspots to Nexus phones . . . August 24, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  30. Web site: Cade . Metz . Google Fi Is One Step Closer to Unifying the World's Wireless Networks . . July 12, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  31. News: Brian . Fung . Project Fi review: The most remarkable feature of Google's new cell service . . July 8, 2015 . March 25, 2017.
  32. Web site: Andrew . Martonik . What is Project Fi, how does it work and why do I want it? . Android Central . November 22, 2016 . March 25, 2017.
  33. Web site: Omar . El Akkad . Why I ditched my cellphone carrier to try Google's Project Fi . . . November 23, 2015 . March 25, 2017.
  34. Web site: Use Hangouts with Project Fi . Project Fi Help . Google Inc. . March 25, 2017.
  35. Web site: Project Fi currently testing VoLTE calling for 'subset' of subscribers . . January 16, 2018 . February 18, 2017.
  36. Web site: Get Answers To All Your Google Fi Questions . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329225851/https://fi.google.com/about/faq/ . March 29, 2023 . 2024-07-05 . en.
  37. Web site: 2021-10-28. Google Fi's adding support for end-to-end encrypted calls. 2021-10-29. Android Police. en-US.
  38. Web site: Phone plans & prices. April 29, 2021. Project Fi.
  39. Web site: Use your phone outside the U.S. . Project Fi Help . Google Inc. . March 25, 2017.
  40. Web site: Google Fi - Plan benefits & details. Meet Google Fi, a different kind of phone plan.. en. 2019-01-28.
  41. Web site: Use Project Fi with tablets & other compatible devices . Project Fi Help . Google Inc. . March 25, 2017.
  42. Web site: Marguerite . Reardon . Google's experimental wireless service will work with tablets too . . December 15, 2015 . March 25, 2017.
  43. Web site: Jules . Wang . Google Fi is cracking down on data SIM hoarders limiting each account to 4 . July 25, 2019 . January 6, 2020.
  44. Web site: Deahl . Dani . June 20, 2017 . Project Fi now automatically calculates and bills each member of a group plan . June 20, 2017 . . Vox Media.
  45. Web site: Frederic . Lardinois . Google makes splitting the cost of Project Fi group plans easier . . . June 20, 2017 . June 20, 2017.
  46. Web site: Emil . Protalinski . Google's Project Fi now lets you split the bill . . June 20, 2017 . June 20, 2017.
  47. Web site: Nicole . Lee . After six months with Google's Project Fi, I'd switch to it if I could . . . April 12, 2015 . April 21, 2017.
  48. Web site: JR . Raphael . Project Fi revisited: 6 months with Google's weird wireless service . . . April 14, 2016 . April 21, 2017 . January 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180118003709/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3056595/mobile-wireless/project-fi.html . dead .

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