Google’s wireless Fi service has always been a niche option that has served Google Pixels owners best, but today the search giant is adding a more affordable unlimited data plan in the hope of making Fi more acceptable to the masses.
To get a feel for what this new “Simply Unlimited” plane has to offer, however, we have to zoom out by looking at the larger structure of the Fi plane. To date, you only had two options for Fi service. There’s a “flexible” plan that charges a base rate of between $ 16 and $ 20 depending on how many lines you have, plus $ 10 for every gigabyte of data you or your family or group of friends use. Then there is Unlimited Fi plan, which costs between $ 45 and $ 70 per month depending on your number of lines, although Google offers pretty hefty price cuts for the first three months of service. In addition to unlimited wireless data, this plan gives you free unlimited data and messages when you travel internationally, as well as full-speed tethering and a Google One subscription.
Google’s new “Simply Unlimited” plan locations in between these two options. As the name suggests, you still get unlimited domestic data usage on Google’s partner networks, just without the built-in international calls and overseas data access. (That said, this plan Is offer unlimited data and messaging throughout North America, so your post-vaccine trips to Canada and Mexico are covered.) If long-haul travel isn’t really a priority for you or others with whom you share the service, the new Google plan offers significant savings: if you are alone, you will play at $ 60 / month (against $ 70 on the renamed “Unlimited Plus” plan from Google). If you have two people on your plan, this per device rate drops to $ 45 / month, and plans with three or more service lines will require each person to pay just $ 30 / month.
It’s not at all a bad deal if you’re not too keen on overseas travel, but you would do well to keep your coverage needs in mind. Google Fi relies on network partners like T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular for data access, and if you’re using a device specifically designed for Fi – like a Pixel – your phone will automatically switch between operator currently offering the best signal. This dynamic network exchange has long been one of Fi’s best and most ambitious features, but don’t forget to check your coverage on all three (well, two) carriers before you take the plunge.
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