Saying Goodbye To Google Project Fi

Gear Diary is independently owned and operated. We receive compensation through advertising and from the companies whose products we review, usually in the form of the reviewed product. We test the products supplied to us, and the opinions expressed are our own.

Gear Diary is also reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. You can learn more by clicking here.

Saying Goodbye To Google Project Fi
I joined Project Fi in August of this year. Project Fi is essentially a prepaid phone service for which Google acts as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). This is just a fancy term for a company which doesn’t own the cellular towers but merely purchases a bulk block of service from the carrier(s) and resells it.

In addition to Fi, I have another line with cell service on T-Mobile. I find this is pretty good so I joined more out of curiosity. The allure of the pay-as-you-go method of paying for an additional line was attractive. Project Fi only works with Nexus phones. I joined with my Nexus 6. Later I upgraded to a Nexus 6P ($50 off through 12/31/15). Last night I ported my phone away from Project Fi and back to Verizon. Not because Fi is terrible – but because it wasn’t compelling enough to keep me on the service.

Here’s the good and the not so good (meh) that I found in my four months using Project Fi. Your situation and needs will be different than mine. Take my observations, mix them with your own good judgement and make a decision on whether you think Fi would be a good choice for you as a cellular provider.

The Good

  • Simple to setup – Project Fi ships you a SIM card with a paper clip (to open the door of your device which holds the SIM card). Almost everything about the setup is done on-screen and on your device. This experience left me feeling that Project Fi’s most innovative feature was the ease with which I could setup the phone and eventually port a number into Fi. Virtually all configuration happens using the Fi App. No trips to a phone store while I waited for someone to pay their bill using a roll of pennies. No tedious attempts by a salesman to sell me a case, insurance, and glass protector. I only made one call to customer service and that was to have them reset the Fi App so I could port my number into Fi. Easy simple and great overall experience: A+
  • Fair billing – Project Fi charges $20 per month for service (voice and SMS) plus $10 per GB of data. You pick a plan ahead of time (I chose 3 GB/mo) and pay at the start of the month. If you have any data remaining at the end of the month you get a credit on your next month’s bill. Super easy. Yes, better deals exist on a per GB basis. Project Fi clearly is not designed with the heavy data user in mind. However it does offer super fair pricing that’s easy to understand: A+

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!

About the Author

Wayne Schulz
Wayne is a diehard Android user and consultant specializing in Sage 100 ERP Accounting Software. He lives in Glastonbury CT with his two children. When not helping them with their homework or pushing the latest school fundraiser off on his co-workers, he is active hiking and investigating all manner of technology.