[Op-Ed] Google’s Project Fi is a minor stepping stone to changing the way people connect

I know we didn’t get out the news that Google announced their MVNO service earlier this week, but to sum it up, Project Fi is Google’s jump to the carrier side of the industry. The service rides over free Wi-Fi connections around the globe and can piggy back off Sprint and T-Mobile cell towers. From my understanding, you get both Sprint and T-Mobile network coverage on one device versus having to choose which carrier you want to back it up. I might be wrong though. As it sits right now, you need to request an invite to join the testing of Project Fi and the required device is a Nexus 6. As far as pricing goes, you pay $20 a month for unlimited calling and messaging and then tack on $10 per GB of data. Unused data for the month gives you a credit back to your account that you can apply to the next month of service as apposed to the current model where you either lose it or roll over massive amounts that you never tap into.

The announcement was pushed by both carrier partners, the Nexus 6 manufacturer, Motorola and Google. As with any big announcement there has been mixed thoughts and feelings. Most of it ties to desires of unlimited data, the carriers involved and the single device option. However, many of those thoughts are very limited in grand scope of things.

If we talked about each part separately we would see a different story entirely. I can understand the unlimited data argument being a valid one from a select few power users who, more or less, abuse that ability to begin with. I am not saying they all do, but some certainly take advantage of the plan with torrents, streaming Netflix and Pandora all day all the time. Project Fi is certainly not an option for them looking to dramatically cut their bills down.

On a carrier stand point we can easily see how T-Mobile and Sprint play in the mix. Simply put, both carriers are the only two that already have Wi-Fi calling up and running. T-Mobile has been working on it for a number of years and Sprint has been following suite. While only a select few handsets are supported, the simple fact they do is the answer. AT&T is supposedly working on Wi-Fi calling with the last reports stating that it would arrive sometime in 2015. With both Sprint and T-Mobile supporting the ability to handle calls and messages over Wi-Fi already, it makes complete sense on why Google opted to work with both of them for their MVNO service at launch. If AT&T gets on board with the ability it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Project Fi will open up on their network as well. There is probably a lot more to it, like network leasing, advertising, branding and coverage too.

So how about the Nexus 6 being the only supported device. Well, Google is in complete control of the device for one. Next we know that the Nexus 6 is one device that sports the chipset needed to run on multiple networks out of the box. Add in that most Nexus 6 owners, and people who even know that Project Fi exist, are going to be at least semi-technical individuals and you have the makings for a really great crowd based MVNO service start up.

The future of Project Fi as I see it

I see a lot of things happening with the service before the year ends. We know Motorola is on board and supportive of it. This should bring a few things – first, it should bring a wide range of devices and prices to the service, mainly the Moto X, Moto G and Moto E. Those three alone will cover all users price point needs and screen size needs. With all of them being fairly stock Android and Motorola doing a good job at updates, it should put their devices in even more hands. The next thing I see is Lenovo getting in on the mix – after all, they do own Motorola. That puts, either more Moto devices, or Lenovo devices, in the hands of people overseas. That does leave the question as to which cell carriers in other countries will jump on the bandwagon though. However, with much of the service being geared towards Wi-Fi, it would be possible to partner with internet providers for calls and messages before a carrier ever got involved.

It is hard for me to not think about other projects Google is involved in and how Project Fi ties into it. For instance, how about Project Ara? You know, Google’s modular phone. That project will certainly have Project Fi access. While we know that project is going to be tested in Puerto Rico, it is hard to think that Google isn’t already working to put the low cost plan into action down there as well. That will cut the argument for a specific device out of the equation since you will basically build your own phone how and when you want to.

Then their is Google Fiber and Project Loon. Fiber is a no brainer really and you could essentially have a Nexus 6 home phone for $20 a month. Project Loon could feasibly put phones in the hands of people in places where internet wasn’t only a pipe dream, but so was calling a neighbor, friend, family member or doctor. Consider the Android One initiative paired with Project Fi and Project Loon. That mixture of innovation could land devices and service in the hands of the 4 billion people Google is after.

Will Project Fi be for everyone? No. No service is ever for everyone. In my situation it could save me a bit of money. I am either at work, which has Wi-Fi or at home, which has Wi-Fi. My few travels around town aren’t spent playing online or with data intense apps. Any out of town travels are usually to places with no service, on purpose, or places where I know I have a Wi-Fi connection anyways. I do pay for unlimited data currently, on T-Mobile’s $100 for two lines plan, but rarely use over 2GB a month. Mathematically, I would spend between $30 and $40 a month for my line on Project Fi and the same for the wife. Ultimately that would save us $20 to $40 a month on our bills. For others out there, it could save even more.

Like everything Google does, we are the testers and the project has a bigger picture that we aren’t privy to. I feel Project Fi has a definite place and direction in the sphere that is Google and will ultimately become a service that will either be your primary provider, or, at the very least, become a viable option to cut cost in life when we need it.

What are our thoughts? Do you see the potential future of Project Fi, or are you seeing it as a failure before it starts because of its launch state?

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