After months of rumors, speculation, and hints from Google their own mobile service is open for the public, sort of. Project Fi is invite only now, and only works with the Nexus 6. The wireless service is from Sprint, T-Mobile, and pre-vetted mobile hotspots. The network combines the signals into one seamless connection that hands off from one another without interrupting phones calls, videos, or other data streams.
Project Fi’s pricing is fair, and is still shaking up the mobile market. For $20 you’ll get talk, text, Wi-Fi tethering and international coverage in 120+ countries. For data Google will offer flat rates in the U.S. and abroad. Starting at $10 per GB, which means puts your phone bill at $30 a month for talk, text, and 1GB of data. That’s a steal considering traditional networks lock you in contracts and normally run around $70 or more for a signal line. The crazy idea Google is throwing out is it will buy back your unused data. This means if you had 3GB but only used 2.1 GB you’ll get back $9.
“We developed new technology that gives you better coverage by intelligently connecting you to the fastest available network at your location whether it’s Wi-Fi or one of our two partner LTE networks.” Google continued, “As you go about your day, Project Fi automatically connects you to more than a million free, open Wi-Fi hotspots we’ve verified as fast and reliable. Once you’re connecting, we help secure your data through encryption.”
This means Google is choosing the network that is the fastest at your location and connecting to that. If you are on the move Google will always pick the fastest network and hand the connection off without any interruptions. Google is also having your numbers live in the cloud (Google Voice?), meaning you can talk or text off any smart phone, tablet, or computer you have handy.
The network uses a special SIM card that works with both networks, and only works with the Nexus 6. While Project Fi may never catch on with the mass public its showing consumers what their networks could look like in the near future. The Nexus line of products have always been targeted at developers and early adopters as a proof of concept. The phones and tablets have always pushed the limits of prices, processors, and its networks.
Tell us if you’d want to use this network if you had a Nexus 6 in the comments below!