If you recall, we previously did a post on Google’s Project Fi and its enterprise potential. Previously, Project Fi was only available to invited customers on a trial basis. However, 10 months after announcing its initial “stealth” launch, Google is opening access to its mobile network offering to everyone inside the United States. Google is even discounting its Nexus 5X smartphone down to $199 as an inexpensive way to get started on Project Fi.
Now that Project Fi is a widely-available option, you’re probably asking yourself, is Project Fi right for me or my business? Here’s a quick breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses associated with Google’s Project Fi to help you decide if this is a wireless option for you.
Project Fi Strengths
You only pay for the data that you use. With other major 4G and LTE data providers, you pay for a set number of gigabytes, regardless of how many you end up using. However, most people don’t end up utilizing every bit of mobile data that they purchase each month. With Project Fi, users only pay for the wireless data that they use, and are credited for unused data at the end of every month.
No annual contracts. Don’t like Project Fi? You’re not required to continue paying for the wireless service for an entire year, and you are not charged any fees for cancelling your plan with Google. The notion of no long-term contracts is a refreshing idea for consumers and businesses, who’ve historically had to pay early termination fees for cancelling wireless contracts with major carriers in the U.S.
Project Fi works in multiple countries. While you must live in the United States in order to purchase a wireless plan from Google, the network works in 120 different countries. This is an extremely useful feature, especially for users who love to travel, and business users that work in multiple office spaces, or go on business trips outside of the country frequently.
Project Fi is affordable. Plans from most major wireless carriers range anywhere between $60-80. However, A 3GB data plan with Project Fi is $50 ($20 for unlimited talk and text + $10 per GB of wireless data), making Project Fi plans much more affordable than comparable plans from major wireless carriers.
Project Fi Weaknesses
The underlying network is somewhat lacking. While Project Fi does give its users access to multiple wireless networks, this only includes Sprint & T-Mobile, mobile carriers which are known to have less than optimal coverage when compared to other carriers like Verizon and AT&T. So, while Google boasts Project Fi’s magnificent wireless coverage, it may not be all it’s cracked up to be.
Project Fi is consumer-centric. While Project Fi does have its strong points, the wireless service mainly caters to consumers, paying little attention to business users. As of now Project Fi only has one plan, developed for individual consumers. While Google may plan on developing wireless rate plans for businesses in the future, there are no viable options for business usage today. Since Google is primarily a consumer-driven company, we don’t expect to see suitable mobile plans for mid-market or enterprise customers from Fi any time soon.
Project Fi does not allow businesses to monitor employee data usage. Given that Project Fi is mainly consumer-focused, the wireless service lacks many features which are vital for enterprise mobile data users, including a system for monitoring employee data usage. Many businesses require tools from their wireless carrier to help ensure that company-sponsored mobile data isn’t used for personal purposes like streaming music or watching videos.
Project Fi limits users by devices. Google Nexus smartphones are currently the only devices compatible with Google’s Project Fi network. If your business has already purchased other devices, or is unwilling to spend heavily to outfit all employees with brand new smartphones, this may not be a suitable option for business users. Nexus phones are also based on Google’s Android OS, so Apple fanboys and other enterprise users of iOS are out of luck with Fi’s current hardware limitations.
DataXoom is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) which provides 4G and LTE mobile data services exclusively to businesses in the United States. We offer our business customers the best 4G and LTE networks in the U.S., across all iOS and Android devices. Interested in what DataXoom can offer your business today? Drop us a note at sales@dataxoom.com, or follow us on Twitter @Dataxoom
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