Google Fi Mobile Data Pricing is the Same, Globally, as Domestic

Google’s Project Fi embodies some experience elements that might well already be coming in the fifth generation of mobile networks, namely the ability to switch seamlessly between any available access network to take advantage of speed, quality or possibly even price.

The whole idea is ensuring smartphone users are on the fastest possible network, wherever they are, on whatever device they are using.

The idea of switching between Wi-Fi and the mobile network, albeit with something less than full seamlessness, already is a familiar consumer experience. The idea of a seamless switch between Wi-Fi and multiple mobile networks, however, is new.

Other elements of the experience, given the virtual nature of Google’s cloud apps might be different, allowing communications from phones, tablets, PCs or other devices. But much of that capability already is available to Google Hangout users.

On the other hand, Project Fi will advance the “borderless communications” in several ways beyond the programs mobile operators already have been creating.

Google Fi users pay $20 a month for talk, text, Wi-Fi tethering and international coverage in 120 countries, plus the $10 per gigabyte of data. The possibly-compelling feature is that Fi users pay just $10 per gigabyte for mobile data no matter where they are in the world.

Of course, right now that means data at 256 kbps. So your behavior will be constrained. But some bandwidth, if slow, beats no bandwidth, or expensive bandwidth that might also be rather slow.