Google has announced their rumoured "Project Fi" wireless service, built on Sprint and T-Mobile"s networks in order to "seamlessly move people between networks depending on where they are". The service will launch as invite only, and will only support the company"s Nexus 6 to start. It will cost $20 a month for unlimited talk and text plus $10 for each GB of data consumed, for a true "buy what you want" data plan.
The coverage map includes much of the eastern US, with spotty bits covering the rest of the country, and no service at all in Alaska.. The plan seems extremely competitive, assuming decent speeds, and they claim low cost international calls, free WiFi tethering and no annual contract. They are even claiming that if you do not use your allotment of data that they will refund the remaining balance. The offering seems to be tied to Google Hangouts, which will extend your phone service to any mobile device with Hangouts installed or any PC running Chrome, in addition to the primary phone.
This announcement seems in line with the Google Fiber rollout, fairly limited at first but extremely competitive and hopefully the inclusion of Google into the wireless provider marketplace will send prices tumbling and service booming wherever they open up shop. Invites are open to US residents here, with no information as to what areas will be included and when.