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Project Fi by Google

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Re: Project Fi by Google

#541

Post by lucaspiller »

pluma wrote: post #439
unprepare wrote: post #330

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A carrier in germany has to build 26 times less towers than a carrier in the US, because germany is more than 26 times smaller than the US. I would think the increased expenditure of 26 times more towers would increase the cost of plans. Europe also never had the culture of carrier subsidized phones, and so were never accustomed to paying more in monthly fees in exchange for low to no cost upgrades of hardware. Tethe…

There are considerably more providers than actual carriers in Germany. The way frequencies are assigned in Germany probably plays into this, but in a nutshell: many if not most people don't have contracts with the actual network operators (i.e. carriers) but with companies that are merely service providers. There are a lot of spin-off companies offering discounted monthly or pre-paid plans contracts compared to the e…

Just to clarify the "spin-off" companies are called mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). We have a lot of them in the UK too, but in our case they are usually seperate companies (e.g. the Tesco supermarket has its own mobile brand which runs on the O2 network). Strangely they are usually cheaper than the parent companies too - anyone know how the financials of that work?

Re: Project Fi by Google

#542

Post by draven »

hisem wrote: post #540
pluma wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is $10/GB and $0.2/min normal within the US? I'm not familiar with American (non-roaming) pricing. For comparison: In Germany I have an LTE data plan for my tablet where I pay €24.99 for 7.5GB (~$3.57/GB), the lowest plan being €6.99 for 1GB (~$7.50/GB). Unlimited calls in Germany including 1GB data would cost me €19.99/month (~$21.48) at the same provider and unlimited text in Germany would be an additional €4.99/mo…

In France we have a €19.99/mo plan with unlimited talk for domestic (land and mobile) and a huge selection of international countries (land), unlimited SMS/MMS, and 20Go of Data (yes, twenty). That plan can go down to €15.99/mo if you also go with this carrier for your home's broadband access. That same carrier (called "Free mobile") offers a €2.00/mo plan for 2h talk, unlimited SMS/MMS and 50Mo data, which is €0/mo…

And if the contract did not change, tethering is included. In addition with their ADSL offering you're allowed to host a server at home on your ADSL connection (which others did explicitly forbid when I chose Free over them a few years ago.)

EDIT: typo

Re: Project Fi by Google

#543

Post by mynameisvlad »

henrikg wrote: post #508
laurencerowe wrote: post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google is charging a significant markup over T-Mobile's existing rates ($30/month for 5Gb vs $70/month through Gooogle.) So Fi is really only interesting for people doing significant international roaming.

I've had TMO in the past, and the Google plan is attractive to me for a couple of reasons * T-Mobile customer service is inconsistent in messaging on the phone, via Facebook, stores * As a H1B visa holder I am, according to TMO, not able to get a postpaid plan * Prepaid plan does not work outside of the US * Prepaid plan has issues receiving short codes from Uber/Bank of America and possibly others - I've spent 8+ ho…

> * As a H1B visa holder I am, according to TMO, not able to get a postpaid plan

What? I'm on a TN and I have a postpaid plan and device payment plan. Your visa status doesn't really affect your phone plan eligibility.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#545

Post by mcintyre1994 »

wtallis wrote: post #416
jmilloy wrote: post #406

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The only thing Google's promising that Republic isn't is the international service. Can you comment on tethering? IIRC, my Moto X through Republic doesn't allow tethering.

It would be really stupid to announce a service with tethering limitations that will almost certainly be illegal by the time the service exits beta testing. The FCC net neutrality regulations will prevent service providers from doing anything to interfere with tethering.

I hope the EU make the same move. We can get cheap unlimited plans but they'll always limit tethering.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#546

Post by vitobcn »

mynameisvlad wrote: post #543
henrikg wrote: post #508

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've had TMO in the past, and the Google plan is attractive to me for a couple of reasons * T-Mobile customer service is inconsistent in messaging on the phone, via Facebook, stores * As a H1B visa holder I am, according to TMO, not able to get a postpaid plan * Prepaid plan does not work outside of the US * Prepaid plan has issues receiving short codes from Uber/Bank of America and possibly others - I've spent 8+ ho…

> * As a H1B visa holder I am, according to TMO, not able to get a postpaid plan What? I'm on a TN and I have a postpaid plan and device payment plan. Your visa status doesn't really affect your phone plan eligibility.

Visa status does not affect your eligibility for payment plans.

However, H1B holders are people having recently arrived to the US, and therefore with 0 credit history. This is what impacts the capability to get a postpaid plan, but after a few months to build it up there should be no problem.

Personally, I find it ridiculous. Having money in the bank as well as a good salary, and not being able to sign up for a 30$ monthly plan; or applying for a credit card and getting either rejected or one with a 200$ credit limit.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#548

Post by robmcm »

salem wrote: post #509

What I'm curious about is the privacy policy. With the automatic VPN usage on wifi and the potential network architecture of the MVNO, Google could be in the path of all your cell phone data traffic. The opportunity to learn more about you for advertising purposes is very very high.

Whilst I am sure current networks providers are keen to exploit your "private" communications, the thought of Google gaining even more power and insight into your lives is scary.

If you are using Google services and an Android phone, there is almost nothing left they don't have control over.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#549

Post by xorcist »

gareim wrote: post #402
nevir wrote: post #374

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agree. Edit: Looks like the Sony Z3C is a (and the only?) contender! --- But, I've also given up on that front. The last phone that was (barely) usable one-handed for me was the original Moto X. At this point, there is literally not a single phone on the market that (that I can find): * Runs a recent version of Android (or iOS) * Is * Has a recent/"fast" CPU/GPU So, fuck it, time to give in and go with a phablet.

Sony Z3 Compact. Is 5.01 inches tall, but your original Moto X was 5.09 and you seemed to like it fine. Fast/recent specs. Runs a recent version of Android.

Also waterproof! It's a pretty cool feeling to rinse your phone under the tap the first time you do it.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#550

Post by JulianMorrison »

wiremine wrote: post #92

For those who don't want to read the FAQ or find the video incredibly unhelpful [1]: a. It only supports the Nexus 6 out of the gate. b. It automatically switches you to the "fastest" network available. Partners out of the gate are Sprint and T-mobile. Sounds like it prefers Wifi, then 4G LTE, and then degrades down to 3G or 2G. c. Pricing is $20 for unlimited talk (domestic) and text (domestic and international) and…

USA only, too.
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