Google's Project Fi is ramping up its services and will now offer improved data bandwidth across all subscriptions, with a particular focus in international scenes.
Project Fi covers just about 135 areas worldwide, offering internet access to mobile users in most frequented cities by U.S. citizens such as London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo and Montreal. However, statistics show that only 20 percent of American tourists will usually use their base cellular data abroad, preferring other modes of services such as local carriers and WiFi hotspots due to cheaper and more reliable connections.
Google aims to up those numbers by providing not only affordable rates but faster data connections. Together with Three, an international network provider, Project Fi will now offer data transmission of up to 10 to 20 times faster, upgrading mobile plans from previous 2G networks to 3G and 4G where applicable. A user's phone on the Fi subscription will automatically connect to the best network available in its coverage without interrupting current activities on the web.
"Leaving home shouldn't mean leaving connectivity behind," writes Google in an announcement. "With the addition of faster speeds and more countries for the same fair price, we're one step closer to making your phone as easy to use abroad as it is at home."
For incoming subscribers, signing up for Project Fi requires an invitation from the company, though there are reports of other means to get into the service. Initial installment costs a one-time payment of $20 while succeeding monthly charges will depend on how frequent the user consumes online data. The standard rate for 1 GB of cellular data is $10, but the company adds that unused data will be refunded to the consumer, that is consuming 600 MB in a month will only cost $6.
New subscribers will also get a $150 discount off their next purchase of the Nexus 6P for a limited time when they apply for the service. It is important to note too that, unfortunately, Project Fi is only limited to the 6P, as well as the Nexus 6 and 5X, as these are the only phones that were manufactured specifically to cater to the project's requirements.
"These devices are the first smartphones that support our network of networks," explains the FAQs for Project Fi, reiterating that only Nexus 6P, 5X and 6 work "with the Project Fi SIM card" at the moment, due to its support for "multiple cellular networks, and [having] a state-of-the-art cellular radio tuned to work across network types."
