Project Fi - Google's Own Mobile Service
In a recent bid to expand the range of services it offers, Google recently announced Project Fi, which will offer mobile service for only $20 a month, with an additional fee of $10 for every gigabyte of data. This will put Google directly in competition with mobile carriers like Verizon and AT&T.
Another feature of the service will be the reimbursement that Google plans to give for the data that was paid for but was not used by the consumer, according to a report in Tech Times.
In order to do this, Google has announced its partnership with Sprint and T-Mobile. In its statement, it said, ""By designing across hardware, software and connectivity, we can more fully explore new ways for people to connect and communicate."
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According to the report, Google will offer the service by being a mobile virtual network operator or MVNO. This is similar to what Virgin Mobile and Republic Wireless are doing. Google will be "renting access" from Sprint or T-Mobile so that users on these networks can use the service. With Project Fi capitalizing on several carriers to access the service, users gain an advantage because they can choose which carrier has the stronger signal wherever they are and not be tied down to what one carrier can offer.
One other important feature of the project is that users will be able to take and make calls if they are connected to a Wi-Fi network. This means that once outside Sprint or T-Mobile networks, users may still use Project Fi. When travelling even abroad, as long as one is on a Wi-Fi network, one can receive and make calls.
Currently, the service is limited to Google Nexus 6 devices. Users of the service will be able to use Google Hangouts, the instant messaging and video chat platform of Google, to send text messages and check voicemail.
