I don’t trust “big business”, usually – and I don’t “advertize” other people’s stuff, usually – but this one is different. Having a smart phone with a data plan in the USA is expensive, comes with unfair pricing, non-existent customer service, and outrageous roaming charges – usually.
Until you discover Google’s Project Fi. Unlimited calls and text in the US for $20 a month, plus $10 per GB of data, plus tax & fees. No roaming charges, incoming calls are free worldwide, and (here’s my favorite part) you get a credit (real money back, not some hogwash “roll-over”) for unused data on your next month’s bill. The price for data is the same $10 per GB worldwide, and should you use more data than anticipated, there are no extra “overage” charges.
Sounds good, but where’s the catch? Two little caveats, maybe:
- currently you still have to “apply” for an invitation and then wait for about six weeks before they’ll let you sign up.
- Also, there are still only three phones that will work with Fi – Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, and Nexus 6P.
I can live with that!