Google Unveils Own Cellphone Network

Google has revealed the full details of its cellphone network. It will use a combination of space leased from existing cellphone firms, as well as WiFi hotspots to create the network.

The service will be dubbed Project Fi. Initially it will only be available to users of Google's Nexus 6 phone, but that will only be used short term as an experiment. If all goes well, it's likely to be expanded to other Android phones.

Project Fi Consists of WiFi, Sprint and T-Mobile

Google will act as a mobile virtual network operator, meaning it leases space on existing networks. In this case, the leased networks are from Sprint and T-Mobile, the number three and four networks in the US market. That's a similar approach to that used by firms such as Virgin Mobile.

The difference is that Google will also route calls through the Internet via selected WiFi hotspots. These will be any hotspots that are not only free to use (with no password required), but that Google has verified as having a suitable and reliable speed. It says more than a million hotspots meet this criteria.

WiFi Routing is Automatic

Any calls routed via WiFi will be encrypted to ensure security. Unlike services such as Skype, users won't need to run special apps or change any settings. The idea is that you simply dial, and the phone routes the call via WiFi if available; if not, it defaults to the fastest available network connection of either Sprint or T-Mobile. (Source: bbc.co.uk)

Google believes this approach will mean users get voice service in a much wider range of locations than is available through a single traditional network.

Unused Data Earns Rebate

The Google pricing strategy will work out cheap for casual users but may be too pricey for people who use a lot of data. All customers get unlimited voice calls and text messages for $20 a month. They'll then pay a separate fee equivalent to $10 for every GB of cellular data they use during the month.

Unlike many cellphone plans, there's no fixed data cap and users only pay the data they actually use. They will have to pay up front for their chosen amount (in gigabytes) but will get a rebate for any unused data. For example, Google says anyone that pays $30 at the start of the month for the right to use 3GB but only uses 1.4GB will get a $16 rebate. (Source: nytimes.com)

What's Your Opinion?

Are you attracted by Google's pricing structure and wider coverage? Do you trust it to maintain privacy with calls, texts and data use? Do you think it's a smart idea to build around existing cellphone networks even though those providers are a form of competition?