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Remember, a critical part of Google Fi is that it's supposed to automatically switch your voice and data to WiFi, and that Google has rigged partnerships such t

Remember, a critical part of Google Fi is that it's supposed to automatically switch your voice and data to WiFi, and that Google has rigged partnerships such that they have lots of WiFi available for you to use. So, if you currently use 5-10 GB/mo on one carrier, the theory is that you'll use less - possibly significantly less - on Google Fi.

russell_h 11y ago
Google Fi user here. I don't think there is any "partnership", the "Wifi Assistant" feature just joins open wifi networks. It does do two neat things: first, it establishes a VPN tunnel through a Google controlled endpoint. Second, they seem to have a database tracking the quality of wifi networks. It won't join networks that are known to be slow, and if a network gets too slow it will automatically disconnect. In practice though, almost every open wifi network is slow. Much slower than LTE, and certainly not something you could reasonably make a voice call over. Overall I'm relatively happy with Fi. The service is a little better than T-Mobile (still not as good as AT&T) and the management interface is dead simple. Its what a software startup would build if they went into the cellular carrier business. And for my level of usage (3-4GB/month) the price is similar to T-Mobile. But don't expect it to save you bandwidth.
- bduerst 11y ago
  Does international work? (Considering it's on top of T Mobile)
  - yebyen 11y ago
    Yes, international data is supposed to be a flat charge (same as domestic, $10/GB) and international calling happens at what I would consider to be very reasonable rates, both to numbers in and from towers of foreign countries. Also, I believe there is unlimited international texting around the globe. (I migrated from Verizon to Project Fi, and live close to Canada, so, consider that I am used to turning my phone off when out of the country or near the border, because of Verizon's very unreasonable rates for international calling and text.) I don't think you can order a Project Fi account as a non-domestic resident, though.
  - starnixgod 11y ago
    Yes, and at the same cost per gig as domestic data. See Fi's rate card here: https://fi.google.com/about/rates/ https://fi.google.com/about/rates/

russell_h 11y ago

Google Fi user here. I don't think there is any "partnership", the "Wifi Assistant" feature just joins open wifi networks. It does do two neat things: first, it establishes a VPN tunnel through a Google controlled endpoint. Second, they seem to have a database tracking the quality of wifi networks. It won't join networks that are known to be slow, and if a network gets too slow it will automatically disconnect. In practice though, almost every open wifi network is slow. Much slower than LTE, and certainly not something you could reasonably make a voice call over. Overall I'm relatively happy with Fi. The service is a little better than T-Mobile (still not as good as AT&T) and the management interface is dead simple. Its what a software startup would build if they went into the cellular carrier business. And for my level of usage (3-4GB/month) the price is similar to T-Mobile. But don't expect it to save you bandwidth.

bduerst 11y ago
Does international work? (Considering it's on top of T Mobile)
- yebyen 11y ago
  Yes, international data is supposed to be a flat charge (same as domestic, $10/GB) and international calling happens at what I would consider to be very reasonable rates, both to numbers in and from towers of foreign countries. Also, I believe there is unlimited international texting around the globe. (I migrated from Verizon to Project Fi, and live close to Canada, so, consider that I am used to turning my phone off when out of the country or near the border, because of Verizon's very unreasonable rates for international calling and text.) I don't think you can order a Project Fi account as a non-domestic resident, though.
- starnixgod 11y ago
  Yes, and at the same cost per gig as domestic data. See Fi's rate card here: https://fi.google.com/about/rates/ https://fi.google.com/about/rates/