We have known for a while now that Google will be launching its own mobile network and today it made the official announcement. It’s called Project Fi and starting today it’s available to Nexus 6 owners through an invite program. Through Project Fi Google is going to offer wireless service to Nexus 6 owners only, no other device is support as yet.
Users will need to own a Nexus 6 to get on Project Fi, provided that they receive an invitation to join. A special SIM card will also be required.
People who are interested in trying out Project Fi and check if they are located in the coverage area and then request an invite from this website.
Project Fi only offers one simple plan at one price. For $20 per month customers will get talk, text, Wi-Fi tethering and international coverage in more than 120 countries. There’s a flat $10 per GB charge for cellular data in the U.S. and abroad. Every subsequent GB costs $10 so 2GB will be $20, 3GB will be $30 and so on and so forth. Voice calls and texting over Wi-Fi is also supported.
Google will refund customers for unused data so in theory customers will only be paying for the data they really do. Republic Wireless is doing something similar as well.
The company says that Project Fi phone numbers “live in the cloud” so users will be able to text and make voice calls from devices like tablets and laptops even if they don’t have the phone closeby.
Project Fi will run on both T-Mobile and Sprint’s network. Customers will be able to access both networks and Fi will intelligently switch between the two and Wi-Fi to maintain strong reception at all times.