Eclectic Bytes: November 2018

On November 28, 2018, Project Fi subscribers received an email from Google announcing a bold new chapter for its growing mobile service: Project Fi became Google Fi. The rebrand reflects not just an aesthetic overhaul - a new name, logo, and polish - but also a culmination of innovation years in the making and a promise to embrace a wider world of devices and users.

The Origins: Project Fi’s Launch and Vision

Project Fi began life in early 2015, when Google unveiled its intention to not just be an internet services behemoth but an actual wireless carrier-albeit in a way that only Google could imagine. Unlike traditional giants like Verizon and AT&T, Google’s approach was to operate as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). Instead of building and running its own wireless towers, Google would seamlessly rent existing capacity from multiple U.S. networks: namely, T-Mobile, Sprint, and later, US Cellular.

Subscribers using Project Fi on supported handsets such as the Nexus 6 (the original “designed for Fi” phone) could automatically jump between cellular networks and public Wi-Fi hotspots for the fastest, most reliable connection. Google’s algorithms would monitor signal strength, availability, and quality in real time, moving each call and data session to the optimal network - often without the user ever realizing a switch had occurred.

How Project Fi Connections Work

Unlike most MVNOs that pick a single carrier’s backbone and rebrands it, Google’s vision stitches together the best coverage, capacity, and quality across partner networks. When using a “designed for Fi” device, the technical process works like this:

A Project Fi SIM allows the phone to authenticate with multiple carrier networks (T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular), each of which agreed - by contract - to let Google’s devices act as almost-native users.
Google’s custom Fi app runs a complex monitoring routine, constantly testing for available Wi-Fi networks (with a database of millions of curated, VPN-secured public hotspots).
Whenever possible, the app favors Wi-Fi, automatically initiating a secure connection with Google’s built-in VPN, encrypting user traffic to protect privacy, even on “open” hotspots.
As users move, the Fi software dynamically evaluates radio signals from T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular, jumping from one radio network to another seamlessly, even mid-call or mid-data transfer, all without noticeable interruptions - thanks to a specialized combination of eSIM/SIM provisioning and network steering.
For “non-designed” phones, the service can still provide core coverage but defaults to a single carrier, since most commercial smartphones lacks support for cross-network, mid-session switching.

This multi-network juggling is far more than a convenience for urban users; it provides reliable coverage in rural and fringe zones, where a single carrier might fail but an alternate could fill the gap.

Features and Proposition

From the outset, Project Fi prided itself on offering simple pricing and global reach:

$20/month for unlimited domestic talk and text, plus $10 per GB of data used.
International data in 170+ countries at the same per-GB price.
Data-only SIMs available for tablets and other devices—rare among major carriers at the time.
“Bill Protection,” enabling unlimited data usage with throttled speeds after a set limit (typically 15 GB), ensuring no overages but flexible high use.
No service contracts, zero hidden fees, and pro-rated billing/refunds for unused data.

A New Chapter: Project Fi to Google Fi

By late 2018, the most common subscriber request was device compatibility, and Google listened: Today, on November 28, 2018, Project Fi officially became Google Fi, launched with support for nearly all Android devices and, for the first time, iPhones (in beta). The brand refresh aligns the service with Google’s existing suite of products and makes it clear: this was no longer a niche experiment but a core Google offering, ready to scale.

With the rebrand also comes expanded offers, gift cards for new phone purchases, and increased emphasis on travel-friendly global coverage. Legacy users with “designed for Fi” phones, like the Pixel series or Moto X4, will continue to enjoy the unique seamless switching and enhanced security features that set Fi apart - while newcomers will get most of the Fi perks, albeit with some technical restrictions.

Benefits in compatible Android phones

Users with compatible Android phones - specifically those “designed for Fi” like Google Pixel, Moto X4, and some selected Motorola and Nexus models - enjoy several unique benefits with Google Fi:

Seamless Network Switching: Google Fi can automatically switch between multiple cellular providers (T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular), ensuring users get the best signal quality and fastest data wherever they are. The process is invisible to the user, even during active calls or data sessions.
Automatic Secure Wi-Fi Connections: Fi-compatible Android phones will automatically connect to millions of trusted public Wi-Fi hotspots. All data sent over these hotspots is routed through a Google-managed VPN, providing additional security and peace of mind on public networks.
Consistent International Coverage: Google Fi offers worldwide coverage in over 170 countries, with data and texting available abroad at the same rates as in the U.S. Users can travel without worrying about swapping SIM cards or paying exorbitant roaming fees.
Flexible, Transparent Billing: Fi’s pay-as-you-go model means you only pay for the data you use, with bill protection kicking in at a set data threshold for unlimited plans. Unused data amounts are credited back to your account, ensuring cost-effectiveness.
Integrated Messaging and Calling: With compatible phones, your number works on multiple devices (phones, tablets, computers) simultaneously, and texts/calls can be placed and received using your Google account.
No Contracts, Easy Activation: Service is contract-free, activation is simple, and there are no hidden fees. Customer support is available 24/7.
Device and Account Management: The Google Fi app provides easy-to-use account controls, usage tracking, device location tools, and group plan management, making it straightforward to manage both solo and family accounts.
Consistent Updates and Support: Google ensures its “designed for Fi” phones get fast software and security updates, enhancing reliability and protecting user data.

These features combine to offer a flexible, secure, and user-centric mobile experience - especially for those with fully Fi-compatible Android phones.

Key milestones in Project Fi's transition to Google Fi

April 22, 2015: Project Fi was announced as a Google MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) service, initially available by invitation only and exclusively for the Nexus 6 smartphone, using T-Mobile and Sprint’s networks.
Summer 2015: The service began rolling out to select invitees on a limited basis, gradually expanding availability.
March 7, 2016: Project Fi dropped its invitation system, making service widely available to all U.S. residents.
June 8, 2016: U.S. Cellular was added as a third network partner, enhancing coverage, especially in rural areas.
October 4, 2016: Support added for the new Google Pixel and Pixel XL phones, with these “designed for Fi” devices fully supporting seamless multi-network switching and other Fi-exclusive features.
Late 2016: Introduction of Group Plans, allowing subscribers to add family and friends under one account.
2017: Project Fi continued to improve network switching, security (with automatic VPN on Wi-Fi), and expanded international support, offering global coverage in over 170 countries at the same per-GB data rate.
November 28, 2018: Project Fi was officially rebranded as Google Fi.

Google Fi's First Email

Below is the exact text Google sent to its users on November 28, 2018:

Introducing Google Fi

After 3 years of growing with you, our Project Fi community, we're excited to announce some big news: Project Fi is now Google Fi. Your service and billing won't be impacted, but you'll notice a new name, logo, and look-and-feel in places like your Google Fi app and your Google Fi account.

You can now also bring most Android phones and iPhones to Google Fi. While these phones get most of the Google Fi features you know and love, only phones designed for Fi, like the Moto X4 you have, unlock all of Google Fi's unique features, including seamless switching between cellular networks and automatic connection to secure Wi-Fi hotspots. Since you're already on the best Google Fi experience, you don't need to take any action for your own account. Feel free to share the news with friends or family who might be interested in bringing a phone to Google Fi.

Finally, if you're looking for a new phone, we're celebrating our big day with one-day offers on all phones designed for Fi, from the Pixel 3 to the Moto G6. Everyone is eligible for these offers—whether you're looking for a phone for yourself or know someone you'd like to refer to Google Fi.

Today's update is just the start, and we can't wait to bring you more from Google Fi. As always, please reach out if you have any questions—we're here for you 24/7.

You have received this email to update you about important information regarding your Google Fi account.

Google North America Inc.

1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy

Mountain View CA 94043 USA