Jump to content

Google announces Project Fi: Partners with Sprint and T-Mobile for Network Access (previous title: Google to start it's own Wireless Service; using T-Mobile/Sprint for it's Network Footprint.)


IamMrFamous07

Recommended Posts

Both Sprint and T-Mobile have historically been very MVNO friendly compared to AT&T and particularly Verizon; I expect in the event of a merger, maintaining that friendliness would be an important condition of the merger.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Both Sprint and T-Mobile have historically been very MVNO friendly compared to AT&T and particularly Verizon; I expect in the event of a merger, maintaining that friendliness would be an important condition of the merger.

 

Makes me wonder how the network integration process between Sprint and T-Mobile might affect these MVNOs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...

Project Fi now has "bill protection" which caps your bill at $80 if you use more than 6GB in a month and you'll continue to get high speed data up until the 15GB mark. At that point, you will be slowed down to 256Kbps but you are given the option to pay $10/GB for more high speed data. If you use less than 6GB, you'll pay the normal $10/GB price. 

This addresses one of the pain points about Project Fi which is that it loses value very quickly if you use more data. While it's still more expensive than prepaid options like MetroPCS or Boost Mobile, it offers international talk, text, and 2̶5̶6̶k̶b̶p̶s̶ 3G/LTE data (depending on the country) internationally at $10/GB and runs on 3 different networks domestically so it might be worth it.

https://blog.google/products/project-fi/bill-protection/

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Paynefanbro said:

... it offers international talk, text, and 256kbps data internationally at $10/GB ...

Just a minor correction, international data is full 3G or LTE speed depending upon what's available in country, NOT 256 Kbps. That changed roughly 18 months ago.  https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/12/googles-project-fi-high-speed-international-pokemon/

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, SuzieTuesday said:

Just a minor correction, international data is full 3G or LTE speed depending upon what's available in country, NOT 256 Kbps. That changed roughly 18 months ago.  https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/12/googles-project-fi-high-speed-international-pokemon/

Even better! Also just corrected it. Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...
42 minutes ago, Paynefanbro said:

You can now use iPhones and most Android phones on Google Fi but it seems like the switching between cellular networks might not work.

https://blog.google/products/project-fi/bringing-google-fi-more-people-android-and-ios/

That's wonderful from a phone selection and it needed to have been done 3 years ago. Why do you think that the network switching might not work?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, Flompholph said:

Because google itself says it won't work seamlessly. Did you read the blog?

The blog is not detailed enough on what does not work. So it falls back to T-Mobile only? Or do you have to manually switch?

I have  a Nexus 5x I can throw back at it.

 

Edited by bigsnake49
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, bigsnake49 said:

The blog is not detailed enough on what does not work. So it falls back to T-Mobile only? Or do you have to manually switch?

I have  a Nexus 5x I can throw back at it.

 

I am able to manually switch my OnePlus 2 to Sprint now using the dialer code.  In the past, the dialer codes did not work.  However the Dialer Code for USCC is not working on it.  Just Sprint and T-Mobile.  Ironically, it will now execute the AUTO SWITCH dialer code.  But it does not seem to actually switch automatically.

Robert

Link to comment
Share on other sites

31 minutes ago, S4GRU said:

I am able to manually switch my OnePlus 2 to Sprint now using the dialer code.  In the past, the dialer codes did not work.  However the Dialer Code for USCC is not working on it.  Just Sprint and T-Mobile.  Ironically, it will now execute the AUTO SWITCH dialer code.  But it does not seem to actually switch automatically.

Robert

On the Nexus 5x I have a handy little app called Fi Switch which allows me to paste the dialer codes into the dialer. I decided to not go back to Google Fi since I am actually waiting for Spectrum Mobile to enable BYOD on their Verizon based MNVO so I can switch my main line to that. I have a Kickstarter $15 line on Sprint but I have not seen any T-Mobile roaming yet. I am wondering if T-Mobile roaming is enabled on a market by market basis in conjunction with VOLTE or is it because it is a BYOD phone.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • large.unreadcontent.png.6ef00db54e758d06

  • gallery_1_23_9202.png

  • Posts

    • This has been approved.. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/fcc-approves-t-mobiles-deal-to-purchase-mint-mobile/  
    • In the conference call they had two question on additional spectrum. One was the 800 spectrum. They are not certain what will happen, thus have not really put it into their plans either way (sale or no sale). They do have a reserve level. Nationwide 800Mhz is seen as great for new technologies which I presume is IOT or 5g slices.  T-Mobile did not bite on use of their c-band or DOD.  mmWave rapidly approaching deadlines not mentioned at all. FWA brushes on this as it deals with underutilized spectrum on a sector by sector basis.  They are willing to take more money to allow FWA to be mobile (think RV or camping). Unsure if this represents a higher priority, for example, FWA Mobile in RVs in Walmart parking lots working where mobile phones need all the capacity. In terms of FWA capacity, their offload strategy is fiber through joint ventures where T-Mobile does the marketing, sales, and customer support while the fiber company does the network planning and installation.  50%-50% financial split not being consolidated into their books. I think discussion of other spectrum would have diluted the fiber joint venture discussion. They do have a fund which one use is to purchase new spectrum. Sale of the 800Mhz would go into this. It should be noted that they continue to buy 2.5Ghz spectrum from schools etc to replace leases. They will have a conference this fall  to update their overall strategies. Other notes from the call are 75% of the phones on the network are 5g. About 85% of their sites have n41, n25, and n71, 90% 5g.  93% of traffic is on midband.  SA is also adding to their performance advantage, which they figure is still ahead of other carriers by two years. It took two weeks to put the auction 108 spectrum to use at their existing sites. Mention was also made that their site spacing was designed for midrange thus no gaps in n41 coverage, while competitors was designed for lowband thus toggles back and forth for n77 also with its shorter range.  
    • The manual network selection sounds like it isn't always scanning NR, hence Dish not showing up. Your easiest way to force Dish is going to be forcing the phone into NR-only mode (*#*#4636#*#* menu?), since rainbow sims don't support SA on T-Mobile.
    • "The company’s unique multi-layer approach to 5G, with dedicated standalone 5G deployed nationwide across 600MHz, 1.9GHz, and 2.5GHz delivers customers a consistently strong experience, with 85% of 5G traffic on sites with all three spectrum bands deployed." Meanwhile they are very close to a construction deadline June 1 for 850Mhz of mmWave in most of Ohio covering 27500-28350Mhz expiring 6/8/2028. No reported sightings.  Buildout notice issue sent by FCC in March 5, 2024 https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/letterPdf/LetterPdfController?licId=4019733&letterVersionId=178&autoLetterId=13060705&letterCode=CR&radioServiceCode=UU&op=LetterPdf&licSide=Y&archive=null&letterTo=L  No specific permits seen in a quick check of Columbus. They also have an additional 200Mhz covering at 24350-25450 Mhz and 24950-25050Mhz with no buildout date expiring 12/11/2029.
    • T-Mobile Delivers Industry-Leading Customer, Service Revenue and Profitability Growth in Q1 2024, and Raises 2024 Guidance https://www.t-mobile.com/news/business/t-mobile-q1-2024-earnings — — — — — I find it funny that when they talk about their spectrum layers they're saying n71, n25, and n41. They're completely avoiding talking about mmWave.
  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...