Quote :

"In addition to the big carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-mobile, and Sprint, Google is now entering the wireless service arena with their Project Fi network using the Nexus 6, which is currently the only supported device. This project doesn’t create a new network, but rather uses network equipment that is already in place and is acting as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). There are a few notable differences that make Project Fi stand out. The first is that Project Fi will connect you to the best available network (the one with the strongest connection) whether it is WiFi or one of two available LTE network partners, T-mobile or Sprint. According to the Project Fi website, “Project Fi automatically connects you to more than a million free, open Wi-Fi hotspots we’ve verified as fast and reliable… Your data is secured through encryption when we connect you to open Wi-Fi hotspots. It’s like your data has a private tunnel to drive through [VPN].” Project Fi also supports WiFi calling which helps to expand your network. The transition from WiFi calling to a cell network (if one is available) is supposed to be seamless when the WiFi signal gets weak. If the strongest connection is a cellular network, Project Fi will automatically detect and connect you to the fastest network in your area, starting with 4G LTE, then 3G, and 2G. Another notable difference with Project Fi compared to the big carriers is that it allows you to share your phone number with all your devices that support Google Hangouts. Using Hangouts, you can make or receive calls or send and receive texts on devices other than you phone like your laptop, your computer, or your tablets. The third difference is that you don’t pay for data you don’t use. They are offering a basic plan for $20 per month for unlimited domestic talk and text, unlimited international texts, low cost international calls, and WiFi tethering (using your phone as a hotspot). They are charging $10 per GB of data anywhere in the world (although speeds may be limited to 256 kbps or 3G speeds outside the US), and if you purchase three GB of data but only use 1.5 GB, you will be credited in cash for the amount you do not use on your next bill. If you should go over your data limit, they will simply charge you $0.01 per MB that you used over your limit (this amounts to $10 per GB). Project Fi is currently an Early Access Program and you’ll need an invite to participate (there are only a few invites given out per week). While it is an Early Access Program, the Nexus 6 phone will be the only device supported. Please visit Google Project Fi’s website for more information or to request an invite."

https://fi.google.com/about/

Quote :

"Sign up for our one simple plan Our plan starts with the Fi Basics for $20 per month. This includes: Unlimited domestic talk and text Unlimited international texts Low-cost international calls Wi-Fi tethering Coverage in 120+ countries Then it's $10 per GB for data. $10 for 1GB, $20 for 2GB, $30 for 3GB and so on. That's it. With no annual contract required."

5/18/2015 10:40:54 AM

Hmm. Why would I want this over Republic, which I'm paying half for?

5/18/2015 11:24:36 AM

When can i sign Up?

Quote :

"While it is an Early Access Program, the Nexus 6 phone will be the only device supported"

deal killer.

[Edited on May 18, 2015 at 11:47 AM. Reason : .]

5/18/2015 11:45:18 AM

^^ Same here...but with Straight Talk. Republic is a better comparison than ST, but still! Like I posed in the ST thread:

Quote :

"It's more money for less data on shittier networks...maybe if you travel internationally often. Apparently the service works in 120 countries, with data at 3G speeds. I guess seamlessly using WiFi to make calls/text if you frequent places without service could be cool too."

^ I imagine it'll be available on other phones at some point...

5/18/2015 1:47:12 PM

bandwidth.com aka republic wireless does the backend for google voice, I'd be surprised if they weren't behind this as well.

5/18/2015 1:50:07 PM

Wait, what am I not getting? The only republic plan listed on their website that even offers 4G (and it's on one of the same networks as project fi) starts at $40

[Edited on May 19, 2015 at 8:43 PM. Reason : ]

5/19/2015 8:39:55 PM

There is that.

But still. StraightTalk wins.

5/19/2015 9:29:57 PM

^ (compared to Fi, not necessarily RW)

5/20/2015 11:16:48 AM

Quote :

"The only republic plan listed on their website that even offers 4G"

They are however working on "Maestro" which aligns more with Fi and offers LTE. $10 base talk/text + $15 for 1GB. Each additional is $15 and you're credited back for unused data. Currently in testing so may be a while before it's available.

5/20/2015 1:29:00 PM

meh

i pay $35 (taxes/fees included) for unlimited text/talk and 2.5GB of data (4G/LTE included) on cricket and i can bring my own device

wife is on republic ($20 3G-only plan with 2013 moto X) and she's happy with it

google's late to the party...oh, i can can pay them $5 more and get 500MB less data? sign me up

5/29/2015 8:49:47 AM

What network does Cricket run on?

5/29/2015 12:02:31 PM

it's owned by - and uses the network of - AT&T

5/29/2015 2:07:38 PM

Anyone that cheap use Verizon's? (that's all my mom can use)

5/29/2015 8:25:19 PM

depending on her usage, page plus?

1200 minutes / 3000 text / 500MB 4G LTE for $30
unlimited minutes and text / 1GB 4G LTE for $40
unlimited* everything for $55 (so at this point, a VZW phone on ST might be better)

6/1/2015 12:31:01 PM

page plus is throttled verizon LTE, down to 5/1. I tried it for a month and was disappointed

[Edited on June 1, 2015 at 1:50 PM. Reason : same with all vzw mvno's, actually]

6/1/2015 1:48:46 PM

Total Wireless is a Verizon MVNO.

6/1/2015 2:06:40 PM

Any information on one day expanding to add additional networks to this?

6/1/2015 5:38:18 PM

i look forward to the day when all wireless broadband is the same and accessible anywhere by everyone

6/2/2015 8:25:08 AM

6/2/2015 10:27:13 AM

They're obviously not doing the invites first come first serve. Shit is annoying. Requested an invite on 3 different accounts on the second or third day and still nothing.

lol, apparently there are people on reddit who requested an invite before the damn announcement and still haven't received an invite.

[Edited on June 18, 2015 at 7:50 PM. Reason : ]

6/18/2015 7:39:10 PM

The sign up page has an Invite Status now.

Although a ton of people, myself included, have this "We're still determining your status. Check back here for updates." rather than an actual timeline.

6/24/2015 1:36:05 PM

I got my invite about a week ago. Decided to wait until a cheaper phone comes out. Wish I could pass on the invite to someone else.

6/25/2015 9:13:40 AM

^ NNNOOOOO!!! lol

Take it with a grain of salt, but I've seen posts of people saying they signed up at the same time as their significant other and their status says 8 weeks while their partner already has an invite

[Edited on June 25, 2015 at 11:25 AM. Reason : ]

6/25/2015 11:25:01 AM

I'm in.

6/25/2015 11:47:19 AM

I'm in Maestro with Republic and really liking it. I didn't want to pay 2.5-4x as much to add cellular data, but at the current rate I think I'll end up spending about 2-3 bucks more a month for cellular data. Much happier with that and think I might add it to my wife's phone next month.

6/26/2015 9:45:16 PM

If these fucking no-rational-method-for-invite-order assholes don't hurry up, I'm going to have to get service elsewhere and will never use the shit. I need a new phone asap. This galaxy s3 is on it's last leg.

6/30/2015 8:52:46 AM

People are claiming it's possible to transfer invites to other users. Which one of you kind, gentle souls wants to transfer to me?

nm, google fucking sucks: http://www.reddit.com/r/google/comments/39ht9e/well_cant_blame_a_guy_for_tryinxpost_from/cs3q0op

[Edited on July 6, 2015 at 11:43 PM. Reason : nm]

7/6/2015 11:42:30 PM

got invite...not sure yet if im going to use it.

7/13/2015 12:15:03 AM

You're all assholes

7/13/2015 9:59:56 PM

Mine still indicates 12 or more weeks. So that could mean anything.

7/15/2015 3:12:42 PM

got invite...not sure yet if im going to use it.

7/15/2015 4:56:53 PM

^Same.

7/15/2015 9:06:16 PM

Same...I intrigued, but I don't really want a Nexus 6.

7/17/2015 8:25:47 PM

I just got Google Fi and have used it in LA/SLC area--signal is great, but I came from T-Mobile so that isn't saying much. I quite like the Nexus 6 and the software is much nicer than what is state of the art in iOS. The hardware design fills robust, but it is a brick and hard to wield around. Upside I guess is if there is a riot in all the racial tension I can throw it like a brick.

7/20/2015 11:30:39 AM

Requested an invite beginning of May, got it beginning of June. Not sure what their logic for invites is. Decided not to use it though, don't want a nexus 6.

7/24/2015 3:00:11 PM

I'm curious what the reasons are for so many of you not wanting a Nexus 6.

*May make me aware of something that would turn me off from it as well.

7/25/2015 8:10:26 PM

Because it's a tablet masquerading as a phone.

[Edited on July 25, 2015 at 11:32 PM. Reason : and I <3 my Nexus 5]

7/25/2015 11:29:56 PM

well shit, that's a positive to me

7/28/2015 12:14:47 PM

Have an invite but not really interested until they get better phones.

Also google support scares me a bit.

7/28/2015 12:44:41 PM