Google's Project Fi

[matsuki]

Anyone using it? Supposedly now covers Japan...

https://fi.google.com/

My friends are using it in the states and are paying $30USD ish phone bills....and supposedly it would work the same here in Japan.

Basically for $20USD you get no contract, month to month, unlimited local voice calls and SMS (voice calls in Japan with it would be billed but cheaper than JDM carriers) and you basically pay a pro-rated $10US fee per gig you use. (so if you only use 1.5gigs, you pay only $15 for that data + the $20 monthly fee...$35)

It uses T-mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular in the states, no clue who it uses in Japan??

If it didn't have a handset restriction (currently only the The Pixel, Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X can use it) I'd already have signed up, as it makes more sense and it cheaper than using a prepaid SIM on most carriers in the US.

[wagyl]

Without bothering to watch their promotional video I am guessing that it is voice calls over data packets (VoIP) and the accompanying data charges. This is really nothing new, and there are a flock of Japanese providers too: http://s-dentoku.mobile-runner.com/hikaku It particularly calls to mind G-call https://www.g-call.com/30/?ap_flg=927.

Note also that if we are talking about Japan, you can get kakehoudai for about USD 30 from the standard providers anyway.

[Taro Toporific]

https://fi.google.com/
... uses T-mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular in the states, no clue who it uses in Japan??

When I type in "Japan" to their service coverage page (https://fi.google.com/about/rates/) I get "No results found" for Project Fi.

a handset restriction (currently only the The Pixel, Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X can use it)

I am getting close to upgrading my handset and I really need a seamless, super low cost, international plan. I would buy The Pixel, Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X if that's what it will take Project Fi internationally.

[matsuki]

Wags - Don't think it's VoIP as you're describing, that wouldn't be "free" if you're paying for data packets and incoming calls are also supposedly free. (which would be nice for having a US number that can be answered anywhere in the world) That being said, I almost never make non-LINE or Skype calls so what I'm more interested in is the lack of a contract and the basically really cheap pay as you go data that works in most places I might go overseas to. (no buying/activating/etc. local SIMs or data...just immediately usable internet at the same rate)

Taro - I think for now you'd need to sign up with a US number. (so if you need to maintain a Japanese #, may not work for you though Skype and possibly google voice may remedy this) On the other hand, you get a free data-only sim that worked off of the same account....so if your wife used that, you'd only be paying the monthly basic fee once and then pay as you go for the data used on both devices.

[wagyl]

Still looks very US-centric, which was the same situation with Google Voice. You need to "borrow" an address with an appropriate zipcode to actually get to register.

I think the free to receive bit comes from the fact that they are assuming you are constantly connected to someone's wi-fi. We all know how well that works in Japan. Are yo sure that there is no charge to receive calls: after all, that is the US model for cellular.

Costs for use in Japan can be found by typing "Japan" in the text box in https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/rates?hl=en&p=hangout Otherwise, https://fi.google.com/about/rates/?country=JP

[Coligny]

hummmm... googleskype... just what the world needed... a new protocol by a company know to ditch random project without rhyme or reason... and trying to make people forget that skypes and line and (...) are already doing this...

[wagyl]

a new protocol by a company know to ditch random project without rhyme or reason.

An interesting point of view coming from that source.....

[Grumpy Gramps]

OTOH, I feel that Microsoft treats Skype quite stepmotherly these days. A good alternative that is not Microsoft/Google/Apple/Facebook et al or soon to be vacuumed up by them would be welcome IMO.

[Coligny]

OTOH, I feel that Microsoft treats Skype quite stepmotherly these days. A good alternative that is not Microsoft/Google/Apple/Facebook et al or soon to be vacuumed up by them would be welcome IMO.

With Microsoft the danger is when they actively try to develop something and fubar it in the process.
Any Microsoftian working tech left unmolested is good in my book...

[matsuki]

Still looks very US-centric, which was the same situation with Google Voice. You need to "borrow" an address with an appropriate zipcode to actually get to register.

Yes, the work around is an IP # like with Skype or forwarding with something similar to google voice. I still have about a year on my docomo contract so not jumping to this right now....but they may have Japanese # availability by that time.

I think the free to receive bit comes from the fact that they are assuming you are constantly connected to someone's wi-fi. We all know how well that works in Japan. Are yo sure that there is no charge to receive calls: after all, that is the US model for cellular.

Costs for use in Japan can be found by typing "Japan" in the text box in https://www.google.com/voice/b/0/rates?hl=en&p=hangout Otherwise, https://fi.google.com/about/rates/?country=JP

From what I read, it's not dependent on being via wifi and yes, incoming calls are free. (oh how I loathed being charged for incoming AND outgoing calls) Basically google fi is your carrier and it's SIM is unique in that it bounces you from whatever local carrier(s) they have contracts with (people are posting, saying they were connected to both softbank and docomo) and whatever open wifi in the area there is that has been certified by google.

[Grumpy Gramps]

With Microsoft the danger is when they actively try to develop something and fubar it in the process.

Microsoft joins the Linux Foundation. Expecting fubar'd Linux