Google’s new cellular network, Project Fi, is here. Is it all its cracked up to be?

Introduction

Yesterday, I published part one of a two part feature review on the Nexus 6 with Project Fi, Google’s new MVN, or Mobile Virtual Network.  The network is in fledgling status, with access limited to only one smartphone – the Nexus 6 – at the current time; and by invitation only.

Yesterday’s post dealt with the Nexus 6, mostly.  Today, we’re going to concentrate more on the actual service – Project Fi and its network.  The Nexus 6 has been available for a while; and if you’re looking for an in-depth or teardown review of it, you should check those out first. There are a number of really good reviews of the device on the web already. You can find a few at pocketnow.com, C|Net and Engadget. With all that said, let’s get back to it…

Service

As I mentioned earlier, Project Fi is Google’s MVN (Mobile Virtual Network) like Virgin Mobile or Boost Mobile or Cricket is a MVN. All of those companies rent towers and service from either AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon and then resell it to the general public. Project Fi does the exact same thing but with service from Sprint and T-Mobile.

The service from Project Fi is unique, however, in that it offers service from two very distinct and different service providers. Sprint is a CDMA mobile broadband provider. T-Mobile is a GSM service provider. Individually, each services don’t provide great coverage. Some of their coverage areas overlap. Some don’t. However, together, they provide a much better coverage area than they do alone.

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