Google Fi - Everything You Should Know Before Subscribing

Google’s Project Fi launched in 2015.  In 2018 the service got renamed to Google Fi.

Google Fi’s Technology Explained

What’s particularly unique about the network is that service is simultaneously provided through T-Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular, and even WiFi.  Project Fi automatically switches to whichever network provides the strongest signal to the customer at any given location and time.

Given that Project Fi uses several different technologies, phone calls and text messages can both be placed over WiFi or even a data network.

Bill Protection And Group Plans

Another largely unique factor is that customers get refunded for any unused data that they have in their account at the end of a billing cycle. Google charges its Fi customers $20/month for unlimited talk and text, and $10 per GB for up to 6GB of data. So a plan with 4GB of data will cost a subscriber $60/month.  However, if only 3GB of data gets consumed, the consumer will receive a refund of $10 at the end of their billing cycle.

Project Fi’s plans have a maximum price cap. Google only charges for up to 6GB of data used which amounts to $60/month.  Consumers who go over that limit will not be charged further.  Google will allow a maximum of 15GB of data to be used before throttling data speeds to 256 Kbps.

Group Plans

Project Fi allows for up to 6 people to share a phone plan.  The first line pays $20/month for unlimited talk and each additional line is charged $15/month.  Data is also shared between all lines and priced as follows:

• 2 lines – $10/GB for up to 10GB of data and a price cap of $100.
• 3 lines – $10/GB for up to 12GB of data and a price cap of $120.
• 4 lines – $10/GB for up to 14GB of data and a price cap of $140.
• 5 lines – $10/GB for up to 16GB of data and a price cap of $160.
• 6 lines – $10/GB for up to 18GB of data and a price cap of $180.

If you purchase a group plan with a price cap, each individual line can use up to 15GB of high speed data before that line has its data speeds reduced to 256 Kbps.

International Use

Another unique Project Fi feature is that a customers data can be used in over 170 countries at no extra charge. International data speeds are only limited by the network that the subscriber is on while traveling. LTE data is available in many countries.

Project Fi plans include international text messaging to and from over 170 countries.  International voice calls cost extra and in general are priced at 20¢/minute.  If you call internationally over WiFi, costs vary based on which country you are calling. Only outbound calls are billed.