How Google Fi Unlimited Data Plan Combines With AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon
Google’s mobile service, Google Fi, has finally got an unlimited data plan . While the previous “Flexible Plan” with a sliding scale that defined Fi services is still available, the new Unlimited plan offers a more traditional pricing structure, less data limitation, and several other benefits. Let’s take a look at the new Unlimited Fi plan and see how it stacks up against similar plans from Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T.
What the unlimited Google Fi plan includes
In terms of pricing, the Google Fi Unlimited plan also has a sliding price scale, with the price per line decreasing as new lines are added to your plan. Launch prices (excluding taxes):
- One line: 70 dollars
- Two lines: $ 60 per line
- Three lines: $ 50 per line
- 4-6 lines: $ 45 per line
No matter how many lines you add, the conditions and specifics of the plan are the same:
- 22GB of unregulated mobile data per line (Google says some videos may be automatically set to 480p even before the 22GB threshold is exceeded to reduce data usage).
- Free 100GB Google One storage for services like Google Drive and Gmail, or to back up your device data with Android Backup.
- Free internet data at 200 locations worldwide
- Free international phone calls to 50 different locations.
- Free access to select Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the United States.
- Like the basic Google Fi plan, the unlimited plan is completely contract free.
- You can transfer your existing phone number to an unlimited Fi plan as well as to your existing smartphone (provided it is unlocked and supported on the fi network).
Compared to the flexible Fi plan, which starts at $ 20 and goes up by $ 10 for every gigabyte of data you use, capped at up to $ 80, if you are using 6GB of data or more, the unlimited plan might save you a bit of money for those who use it. who burn a lot of data every month. You will also have a higher 22GB throttle ceiling compared to the 15GB threshold of the flex plan (although Google’s press release on the new unlimited plan says only about one percent of users ever cross the 15GB threshold).
Should Fi users upgrade to a new data plan? If you are happy with the current Fi Flexible plan – or at least you can stay within the data limit and keep your bill below the cost of the new Unlimited plan – then there is little reason to change. You can even get that 100GB of Google One storage for a measly $ 2 a month , making it hard to justify an upgrade for that benefit alone. However, there is a definite advantage for existing Fi users who consistently use over 6GB of data and want an unlimited data plan.
Google Fi Unlimited vs. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon
While there are obvious reasons for some Fi users to switch to an unlimited plan, it’s not so simple for customers with unlimited plans on other networks. Unlimited plans from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon differ slightly, but there are a few important features that set their plans apart from Google’s. Here are the pricing and features for each of the major carriers’ entry-level plans:
- AT&T: $ 70 per month per line; $ 120 per month for two lines; $ 145 / month for three lines; $ 160 per month for four lines. Play multimedia 480p. The data subject is limited after 22 GB or due to high network load. The plan also includes AT&T’s live broadcast service.
- Sprint: $ 60 per month per line; $ 100 / month for 2-5 lines. 50GB data throttling threshold, plus 500MB free hotspot data. Stream 480p video on mobile. Price includes Hulu subscription.
- T-Mobile: $ 30 per month per line (up to four lines). 50GB data throttling threshold, 480p streaming, 3G mobile hotspot unlimited data.
- Verizon: $ 70 per month per line; $ 60 per month per line for two lines; $ 45 per month per line for three lines; $ 35 per month per line for four lines; $ 30 / month per line for five or more lines. Customers can also access 5G for an additional $ 10 per month. Unlimited 4G data is subject to throttling when network congestion is high. Includes six months of free Apple music listening.
As you can see, the one-line plan on Google Fi ($ 70 before taxes and fees) is higher than the basic unlimited plans from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. However, there is a key difference between Google Fi and others: Google Fi only offers one unlimited plan, while other carriers have several plans besides entry-level offerings that include additional features such as free streaming in certain apps and beyond. throttling thresholds, and in some cases even full 5G support – at a higher cost per line.
By comparison, the Fi offering may seem modest – or even lacking – but many of the extra features on higher priced plans don’t affect network performance, save for higher data permissions. And while 22GB of unregulated Fi data may seem insignificant compared to 50GB from Sprint or T-Mobile, it is at least equivalent to AT&T’s entry-level plan, and much better than Verizon’s ubiquitous capability, despite what. how much data you used.
Plus, it’s hard to chew on 22GB of data even if you don’t live or work near one of the many free WiFi hotspots on the Fi network, so the chances are slim that you’ll ever run into any throttling. It’s also worth noting that Google’s Unlimited Fi plan has some of the best international calling and data support for the price, which might tip the scales in favor of Fi for those who travel frequently.
Ultimately, the equation to help you decide whether to ditch your existing carrier’s unlimited data plan and upgrade to Fi is price-performance ratio (assuming network coverage is similar). If you’re upgrading from a much more expensive plan elsewhere, you could probably get a much cheaper – albeit basic – unlimited plan with pretty good amounts of data and generous cloud storage for each line by switching to Fi. But if you are used to additional features found on other media, such as having premium streaming or TV service – bundled channels in your phone bill or you simply prefer your existing network, it may not be quite enough to justify the switch.