Google Fi’s “unlimited” usage plans are getting a price drop and more generous high-speed data limits.
Google’s blog post explaining the changes says the “Simply Unlimited” plans now start at $50 for one line instead of $60. High-speed data limits are increasing from 22GB to 35GB, and you’re allowed 5GB of hotspot tethering to other devices (this presumably counts against your total data cap.) If you’re on a family plan and are buying multiple lines from Google Fi, your prices will be going down, too. Two lines are now $40 each instead of $45, three lines are $25 each (down from $30), and four or more lines are $20 each instead of $30. Simply Unlimited doesn’t have worldwide usage applications, but the plan works with unlimited calling in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Fi also has an “Unlimited Plus” plan, which provides international data access in 200+ countries, no limits on tethering, up to four additional data-only SIMs for your plan at no extra cost, and 100GB of Google One cloud storage. Unlimited Plus is down $5 across the board, with the new prices starting at $65 for one line and ending at $40 for four or more lines. The high-speed data cap is up from 22GB to 50GB. Like with the other limited plan, users also get unlimited calls in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Fi’s original “Flexible” plan is not changing. It still starts at $17 per month, plus $10 per gigabyte of data you use.
Google Fi is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), meaning that Google resells access to other companies’ networks with its own pricing and feature set. Google Fi combines the T-Mobile and US Cellular networks in the US, letting the phone switch between whichever mobile provider has the strongest signal. This carrier-switching trick isn’t normal, so you’ll need a special “designed for Fi” phone in order to do network jumping. With Google Pixel, Samsung, and Motorola phones to choose from, there’s currently a pretty good selection. If you don’t have a compatible phone, you can still use the service as a plain-old T-Mobile MVNO, even with an iPhone.
https://arstechnica.com/?p=1847139