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Google Debuts 'Project Fi' Wireless Service in Partnership With Sprint, T-Mobile

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Apr 12, 2001
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Google today announced its entrance into the wireless service business, with the debut of Project Fi, a service that combines multiple cellular networks with Wi-Fi hotspots to offer "the best network wherever you go."

As rumored back in January, Google is teaming up with both Sprint and T-Mobile for Project Fi, and the two carriers will provide the cellular service for Google's initiative. With Project Fi service, customers will be able to connect to the fastest network at any given location, whether it's Sprint LTE, T-Mobile LTE, or a Wi-Fi hotspot.

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. 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 connected, we help secure your data through encryption. When you're not on Wi-Fi, we move you between whichever of our partner networks is delivering the fastest speed, so you get 4G LTE in more places.
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By positioning itself as an MVNO or mobile virtual network operator partnered with existing carriers, Google is able to provide reliable cellular service and its own pricing tiers without needing to build out its own infrastructure. Other well-known MVNO's in the U.S. include Boost Mobile, FreedomPop, and Straight Talk.

Project Fi brings phone numbers to the cloud, letting users talk and text with their personal phone numbers on any phone, tablet, or computer, and it introduces a simplified pricing structure that's easier to understand than most carriers' complicated plans.

There's a single plan that costs $20 per month for talk, text, and Wi-Fi tethering, plus an extra $10 per GB for cellular data in the U.S. and abroad. So a plan with unlimited talk and text with 3GB of data would be priced at $50. Google's also only charging for data used, so customers who pay for 3GB and only use 1GB will get a refund.

Google is debuting a Project Fi early access program that's available to customers who have a Nexus 6. According to Google, this is the first smartphone that supports the hardware and software necessary to work with Project Fi. Nexus 6 users can in areas where coverage is available can request access.

Google is the first major technology company to introduce its own wireless service, and it's possible that other companies could follow in its footsteps. In the past, there were rumors suggesting Apple would take on the role of a mobile carrier, selling service directly to consumers, but in 2012, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple did not need to be a carrier and would be better off focusing its efforts on making great devices.

Article Link: Google Debuts 'Project Fi' Wireless Service in Partnership With Sprint, T-Mobile
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/04/22/google-debuts-project-fi-wireless/
Not interested.

If I wanted Google to know my every movement and minute detail about my life I would still be logged into Google+ and Gmail and Youtube and every other one of their countless services and have an Android phone and store all my sensitive documents in Google Drive.

I quit on Google years ago when they screwed me over in a business matter, and I tried to follow up by contacting them only to learn that they have absolutely no customer service outlets, no way of directly contacting anyone at Google, and care so little about their users that they actively go out of their way to prevent them from expressing their concerns or dealing with their problems, and they literally crush anyone who disagrees with them.
 
As you go about your day, Project [spy] Fi automatically [collects your data] connects you to more than a million free, open Wi-Fi hotspots we've verified as fast and reliable [connections to our overlords at XXX]. Remember kids, do no evil!
 
So, what is this?

I read the article, and watched the video...but I'm not sure what any of this is, how it improves how my devices already hop from network to network, why I should care about it, or what I need to do to actually use it.

What is it?!
 
And now all the usual Google FUD is going to keep on coming up to put it all down just because it's anything Google-related (just as it happens with anything Facebook-related). Because other companies aren't gathering our data and haven't been doing it for ages. And because it's irrelevant what the specifics of any of this are, it's enough just to focus on the "Google" (or "Facebook" or something similar) keyword.
 
tooloud10 said:
They're trying to offer 'better coverage' by using Sprint and T-Mobile. Makes sense.
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The word and says it all. More options in more places. Where Sprint doesnt have coverage T-Mobile may and vice versa. How is having options ever a bad thing. There is a good chance that ATT and Verizon will come on board if Google gets the user base that demands it. End of the day these carriers only care about the bottom line.

I understand this is MR and people dislike Google here, however how can you be mad at a company that continually shakes up every industry they enter. You think you would have ever seen 1GBps internet to the home if google didnt start rolling out their fiber networks? Seriously, innovation is innovation regardless of where it comes from and it looks like Google if rife with it lately.
 
jwwetzel said:
I read the article, and watched the video...but I'm not sure what any of this is, how it improves how my devices already hop from network to network, why I should care about it, or what I need to do to actually use it.

What is it?!
Click to expand...

That was sort of my first impression... either way... Last thing I want is to give Google a direct line to my data.
 
tooloud10 said:
They're trying to offer 'better coverage' by using Sprint and T-Mobile. Makes sense.
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Naturally, since they need it the most. This will be good news for those carriers, though in most cases it might not be enough to compensate for their lack of cell towers. I doubt you'll have WiFi traveling on the highways, unless there's a Google balloon hovering overhead. Time will tell....
 
C DM said:
And now all the usual Google FUD is going to keep on coming up to put it all down just because it's anything Google-related (just as it happens with anything Facebook-related). Because other companies aren't gathering our data and haven't been doing it for ages. And because it's irrelevant what the specifics of any of this are, it's enough just to focus on the "Google" (or "Facebook" or something similar) keyword.
Click to expand...

This is MacRumours. an Echo chamber for Apple. Truth and facts are irrelevant here. Just blind hate.

Though, I do have to admit the question of how does Google benefit from this will need to be answered. What sort of information is being collected.

They're offering the service in Canada (although only at 3g speeds). To do so they will have to be very specific with their data collection. Bell just got in hot doodoo with the regulators here for data collection on their mobile users (enough so that they had to completely cancel the entire program)

On the other hand, As a consumer who is stuck with either Bell or Roger's ridiculous rates, project Fi looks promising to help me save a few bucks. I am not a big data user on mobile, I have a 2gb plan that I never max out. Yet, even with shrewd negotiation, and threatening a lawsuit for lieing to me during purchasing, I got them down to $50/mth.

with this plan, I would be down to $30/mth

However. in Canada, 20c / minute of voice calls over cellular might start adding up, since its not included (like the American version is) and being limited to 256Kbps 3G is just not acceptable.
 
jwwetzel said:
I read the article, and watched the video...but I'm not sure what any of this is, how it improves how my devices already hop from network to network, why I should care about it, or what I need to do to actually use it.

What is it?!
Click to expand...

It is a T-Mobile/Sprint MVNO network operated by Google. The aim is to have a wireless plan that hops from Sprint to T-Mobile towers to "reliable" wifi hotspots to give you continuous coverage and reliable connections at a cheaper price than some other mobile network providers. The only device compatible with the service is the Nexus 6 at this time. Pretty much the whole service is a combination of Republic wireless and multiple carrier aggregation to provide a better experience than could be had by using the individual carrier.

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rickshill said:
Anyone know how this will be done? Sim Card?
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It's only working for the Nexu 6 at this time (which has mobile radios for all the major U.S. Carriers), and yes there is a special SIM card that must be used.
 
Yeah hate google for everything but this is the same they have done with fiber.

I dont think they want this to track everything about you where you are this is for their bottom line.

Same as fiber they are trying to shake up the industry. The same with fiber to bring 1 gbit internet to more people to pressure the big ones.

The thing with charge only what is used is new. It could have come from t-mobile.

They only care for those projects that the users have a better way to the internet, where googles money is. Not where you are all day. They still make their money online, and every faster and easier way to get there makes them more money.


And it also helps all their cloud products like drive, sheets, docs etc for the chromebook experience. It all ties together guys.
 
jwwetzel said:
I read the article, and watched the video...but I'm not sure what any of this is, how it improves how my devices already hop from network to network, why I should care about it, or what I need to do to actually use it.

What is it?!
Click to expand...

Right now your cellphone hops tower to tower, not network to network. Some of the carriers do have agreements with each other and "share" towers. This is basically merging two carriers as well as your home ISP, work ISP and any local wifi hotspot. Google is allowing you to seamlessly have connection wherever there is a connection to be had regardless of who "owns" the network.
 
C DM said:
And now all the usual Google FUD is going to keep on coming up to put it all down just because it's anything Google-related (just as it happens with anything Facebook-related). Because other companies aren't gathering our data and haven't been doing it for ages. And because it's irrelevant what the specifics of any of this are, it's enough just to focus on the "Google" (or "Facebook" or something similar) keyword.
Click to expand...

Never to the extent that Google does ( NSA excluded , of course :) )

They're even trying to store all the DNA data available in the world ( through a service called 23andme.com first , but have moved further by offering all hospitals and clinics in the world to store their DNA banks , for..hum... almost free.. So generous)

Now they can both cross-reference everything in your head through your Internet activity, but also through everything going on in your body through your DNA. Google will have a complete mental and physical profile of you.

Google wants to know you better than you know yourself. That's what they claim. Even Google's CEO Eric Schmidt said : "I actually think most people don't want Google to answer their questions, They want Google to tell them what they should be doing next."

That's the goal. To tell what you should be doing next. They are convinced to be in a better position than you to know what's good for you. And we're getting there, because most people seem to be ok with it.
 
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