It seems every year Google gets closer and closer to taking over the world. Let’s not kid ourselves, in the wireless world Google is the Brain and everyone else is Pinky. There are a number of services Google offers users that seem to make life a little bit easier, and now it seems Google is taking a big step in a new direction.
Many complain each month over either the price of their cellular service, or the quality of service received–depending on your service provider. In a serious effort to dry those tears, Google has announced a new program. Nick Fox, VP of Communications Products wrote on Google’s official blog:
We’re introducing Project Fi, a program to explore this opportunity by introducing new ideas through a fast and easy wireless experience. Similar to our Nexus hardware program, Project Fi enables us to work in close partnership with leading carriers, hardware makers, and all of you to push the boundaries of what’s possible. By designing across hardware, software and connectivity, we can more fully explore new ways for people to connect and communicate. Two of the top mobile networks in the U.S.—Sprint and T-Mobile—are partnering with us to launch Project Fi and now you can be part of the project too.
It was only a matter of time before Google either created their own cellular service, or partnered with other companies to offer cellular service to users. Keep in mind, Google Fi is not your ordinary cellular service. Instead, they use cellular signals (piggy-backing on T-Mobile and Sprint) along with Wi-Fi hot-spots that they have verified to provide your phone with the service it needs. If you are a little confused, don’t worry. Check out this video and you will understand better.
This is an exciting program, and what’s even more exciting is the price. For $20 a month you will receive unlimited talk, text, Wi-Fi tethering, and a low price on international calls. What about data? You simply pay $10 dollars for each GB of data that you need. What’s really nice about Google’s data service is you only pay for what you use. Let’s say you paid for 2 GB of data and only used 1 GB; Google will give you the $10 back for the data you did not use.
Currently, Google Fi is only compatible with Google’s Nexus 6, so if you just purchased the Samsung Galaxy S6 and want to use Google Fi, you will have a tough decision to make. If you are interested in signing up for Google Fi, you can request an invite at fi.google.com; but I would check their coverage map first to make sure Google covers where you live.
Are you excited for Google’s Fi program? What concerns do you have regarding its service? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.