Is Google Fi Cellphone Service Any Good?
Google Fi has many features and plans to fit most any budget, but the data throttling after 15 GB may be a disadvantage to people who use more data. Those who do have this service can count on good customer service, no contracts and fewer dropped calls. You also pay for the data you use and have more safety when it comes to Wi-Fi networks. Google Fi can be a good fit for some people.
You've probably heard of Google if you own an Android, but did you know that in 2015 Project Fi was launched? Now called Google Fi, it uses both Wi-Fi and cellular networks to provide its customers with SMS, telephone calls and mobile broadband service. The big question is -- is this new service by Google any good? Does it have any downsides, and what can its customers expect from it? Read on to learn more from this review of Google Fi.
Google Fi Features
Since this service utilizes both Wi-Fi and broadband connections, you're guaranteed smooth and uninterrupted signal strength. It's the best of both worlds, and can switch between its networks and does so based on signal strength and speed. Wi-Fi hotspots are also made safer thanks to the encrypted VPN feature. This also means that any Wi-Fi phone calls are switched automatically to a cellular network in case the Wi-Fi connection is dropped.
Customers of Google Fi also receive full coverage in over 200 countries which gives extra peace of mind to customers who love to travel.
There are also monthly and yearly plan types, but regardless of what plan you choose, some things remain constant. First, all plans start at $20 per line for unlimited talk and text and each GB of data you need is another $10 per month. Google Fi includes a bill protection policy. The maximum you'll pay for your data is $70 a month, no matter how much you use.
You can also count on 24/7 customer service support and much lower international calling rates and if you change your mind, you can cancel anytime because there are no contracts.
A Few Cons
There's good and bad in everything so Google Fi does have some aspects that not everyone would appreciate. First, it's only available to people in the United States, which could be a consequence of Google Fi being a new service. International customers interested in Google Fi are going to need to check regularly for any updates from Google. Next, the $70 maximum for data appears to apply to just the plan for a single person, but not Google Fi's family plans which can cost up to $100.
Another drawback is data throttling. Google Fi does it when you reach more than 15 GB of data in a month. The high speeds you once had slow down considerably when you hit your limit. Some experts say a good solution for the throttling is to use Wi-Fi to stream as much as you can, which in turn conserves cellular data for something else.
Some Final Thoughts
There are some people who would get a lot of use out of Google Fi, but anyone who uses more than 15 GB of data in a month may have to look elsewhere for a good plan. It boils down to what you expect from a plan and how much that plan is worth to you. If you have any questions, please contact Google Fi customer service here.
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