Project Fi: the new wireless service from Google.

Google recently announced that it is working with leading network providers on a service they call Project Fi.

What is Project Fi?

It is a new wireless service that will enable greater levels of connectivity by allowing users to seamlessly move from Wi-Fi to cellular networks on mobile devices.

While Wi-Fi hotspots are becoming increasingly common, each only covers a small geographical area and they will likely never be the foundation of an effective network by themselves. To combat this, Google has teamed up with Sprint and T-Mobile to provide an all-encompassing network that bridges the gaps between hotspots.

Perhaps the most notable thing about this project is that connectivity is automated to the point where a device is able to ascertain which of the three possible options (Wi-Fi, Sprint or the T-Mobile network) is the best at the time. It can automatically connect to the chosen network without interrupting the user experience.

The benefit for Google in providing this low-cost service (US$20 a month for the basic package) is fairly obvious. Keeping costs down will mean that people can spend more time surfing the net through mobile devices. This inevitably leads to greater advertising revenue for Google.

What should I look out for?

Project Fi’s data plan is the best option, both in data usage and financially, for the majority of us. But for heavy data users this would likely end up costing significantly more than alternatives currently on the market. If you end up seriously considering Project Fi, read the fine print and make sure you know what’s in and what’s out of your chosen plan.

At the moment, Project Fi is only compatible with one smartphone – the Google-designed Nexus 6. Some argue that systems such as this lend themselves to an overdependence on certain brands or providers. In the same way that the Apple Watch is only compatible with other Apple devices, it is possible that many new Google devices may only work with the Project Fi network, or vice-versa. We’re only speculating at this stage, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

We’ll be closely watching how Google develops Project Fi. It will be interesting to see where they take this project.