Short post today, but I wanted to share a workaround I’m doing for my upcoming trip to Italy. I currently have the old AT&T unlimited data plan costing around $30 per month so my incentive to change carriers is very low. In the past, I typically just purchased the AT&T International Plan (not smart) or bought a local SIM (smart).
Enter, Google’s Project Fi…
You may have heard about Project Fi, a Google product that is changing the cell phone industry. Essentially the way it works is you pay a flat $20 per month for unlimited talk and text and then $10 per month for every 1GB of data you use. If you pay $40 per month for unlimited talk and text + 2 GB of data but only use 1GB of data, Google will only charge you $30 for that month. Pretty sweet!
Whether you’re in the US or abroad, this pricing structure remains the same 🙂
Google uses a blend of towers in over 130 countries to provide you with the best signal. I’ve yet to use this service overseas so I’ll be sure to report back on the quality. My father is a Project Fi subscriber in the US and loves it.
Data-Only SIM (Holy Grail)
Okay, this is the part you want to pay attention to…
As a Project Fi subscriber, you are able to order up to 9 data-only SIM cards for free. These SIMs cannot text or make phone calls but they get internet service in the same 130+ countries that all Project Fi subscribers do.
The best part is these data-only SIMs use the same plan as the Project Fi subscriber and you can track data usage by SIM. Google also has WiFi Assistant, a feature on Nexus devices, which automatically connects to quality public hotspots in an effort to save on data costs. The connection first runs through a secure Google VPN and then to your phone so you can be sure your data is secure.
In this day and age, especially with apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Google Voice, you don’t need a traditional calling plan to contact people. My family uses Facebook or WhatsApp so if I need to contact them I’ll use the data on my phone to call via these apps.
Once I return from my trip I’ll simply view how much data I used and I’ll Venmo my dad the money.
I love technology!
Alternatives
Of course the alternatives to Project Fi would be to pick up a local SIM card at your destination, or use T-Mobile or Sprint for the unlimited international data.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go through the hassle of finding a SIM provider in a foreign country. I also have zero experience with T-Mobile or Sprint, but Lucky at One Mile at a Time has written about T-Mobile extensively.
Like I say, to each his/her own. This is a decent option and many Googlers have told me it’s as easy as it sounds so I’m going to give it a shot!
Bottom Line
A couple things here.
- You need to be or know a Project Fi subscriber to be able to order a data-only SIM. Note: No invitation is needed to sign up for Google Project Fi service.
- You need one of the devices on this list for your data-only SIM to work. Note: Many have told me that you can use an unlocked GSM phone, too, which is true but Google doesn’t guarantee support if you use a device outside of the aforementioned list.
Personally, I converted from iPhone and bought a Nexus 6P a few months ago and I love it. I got the 64GB model for roughly $450, completely unlocked.
I’ve done quite a bit of research on this so if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below!
(Hat tip to Gene)
We’ve been traveling for about six months with Fi and a data SIM. It has worked great where it is supported. Unfortunately in southern Africa only South Africa and a tiny chunk of Zambia worked. Nothing in Botswana, Zimbabwe or Namibia. London works fine, as does Mexico so far. UAE for a brief stopover in Dubai also worked. Overall the service is great.
I use the main SIM on a Nexus 5x and the data on an unlocked AT&T iPhone 6. We pick up different networks at times, which can be a benefit in places with limited coverage.
Highly recommend this service!
Phil
https://www.wigglypath.com
I have the original Nexus 6 and only pull it out of the drawer before international trips. I’ve used it in 30+ countries in the last year and never had any issues. Sometimes it connects immediately upon landing, other times it will take up to 5 minutes, but it always connects. I’ve found data to be reliable but not particularly speedy. For me, it’s worth it just for the convenience and the GPS.
Also, Google allows you to suspend service for up to 3 months. You can do it right through the app and then reestablish service when you’re going out of the country. It’s almost too generous… and keeps my average bill at less than $10 per month.
Glad that you’ve had a positive experience with Google Fi. I’m on T-Mobile and it has worked well in Cabo, Cancun, Ireland, and England without me having to change the plan I’m on, so that’s a bonus.
Great to know!
I have been lucky to have got Fi last July. It has been phenomenal. I have used voice and data at: US, Canada, UK, Spain, Austria, CZand now sending this message from India. No hidden charges, no surprise roaming charges, no month end surprise invoice..what else I could ask for?
Good luck with your travels.
Glad it’s been working so well for you! Like I said, I’ve never used it abroad before, but I’m anxious to give it a shot.
Does the data only sim only work on nexus phones and tablets?
Here’s the complete list from Google: https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6330195?hl=en
I have used my Project Fi account in the UK, France and Guatemala, it performed exactly as it does in the States, flawlessly! No connection problems, no high data charges, just the same cost as if using here in the States. I would highly recommend Project Fi, currently using Nexus 6P
I’ve used project fi in 8 countries with no issues. I’ll be sad if they ever end the service.
I am a Project Fi subscriber. I used it in Italy in June for a 2 week trip. It worked well. Primarily to conserve battery life, I was ultra conservative with my data usage (turned cellular network off unless I was actively using it) my bill was $2.50 (WiFi is almost everywhere).
One thing I would note, at least in Italy, is that you need to manually connect to the cellular tower (usually TIM worked for me), which you can do through settings. I could not get the phone to connect automatically for some reason, and I only found the solution through Googling.
> Whether you’re in the US or abroad, this pricing structure remains the same
This isn’t entirely accurate (or, at least the wording is misleading). This is only true for *data*. Calls and texts overseas have different rates.
> These SIMs cannot text or make phone calls but they get internet service in the same 130+ countries that all Project Fi subscribers do.
While true, the data sims only have access to T-mobile’s roaming agreements. In other words, anywhere T-mobile’s “Data Freedom” applies, you’ll have the same coverage.
You only get faster coverage provided by Fi’s access to Three with the text/talk/data sim: https://www.reddit.com/r/ProjectFi/comments/4sgxxy/psa_faster_speeds_in_more_countries_nexus_6p_sale/
Texts are always free actually, to and from any country. Call rates do vary, but usually calling from hangouts is much cheaper. It’ll be about 20 cents a minute to call using the native dialer, but might only be 2 cents a minute to the same country to call using the hangouts dialer, even if you’re using your data. Calling to the US within hangouts is always free, but again could be 20 cents a minute using the native dialer.
If you have a Google voice number then you can make and receive calls as well as text via Hangouts. Just be sure and install Hangouts dialer. All I use is a Project Fi data card and I have no problem with it even driving down the road talking on the phone.
Thanks David. What are the fees like for you on Dialer? It’s been something I’ve been meaning to try out.
The only fees you pay are your data usage. My total bill each month is around $2 to $3 because I don’t use much data. I make most phone calls when connected to wifi and same with web browsing. I just have a data only card on someone else’s Project Fi account.
I guess if you made a ton of calls when not on wifi it may not be so cheap but I don’t think voice calls use that much data.
Sweet. That’s pretty awesome. Thanks for the info!
what is the purpose of the Hangouts dialer? to force the call through data/wifi? I recently got Google Fi and loved the data internationally but had trouble making phone calls (even when on WiFi). I wonder if this dialer would fix that problem. I tried dialing the country code – area code – number but no luck. Will try the dialer next time I’m out of the country
Yeah, it’s so you can make calls via Hangouts (which yes will go over wifi or data depending on which one you’re connected to). You can select from contacts or it has a keypad similar to the stock Android dialer. Since I only have a data plan I pretty much have to use Hangouts for calls and text but I’m not complaining, I think it’s great. Saves my a ton of money.
The downside is if you’re using the regular Fi sim (not data only) then your incoming calls will come through the native dialer and so far there’s no way to have hangouts ring. I usually have to call people back using hangouts if I’m not on wifi and I know it’s going to be a long call.
You need to get a Google Voice number and when someone calls your Google voice number it will go through Hangouts (after you’ve properly set it up). Then maybe forward your calls from your other number to your Google Voice number.
Hangouts does indeed ring for incoming calls as long as you have that option turned on.
Ooh, that is a nice workaround. I’ll have to try that! Would it still show your Fi number as your outgoing number?
Is this an old article? As of a month+ ago, Project Fi no longer requires an invitation to join (you said invite is needed). Also, they were selling a new Nexus phone for $199 (you said the phone runs $450).
Content Quality > Content Quantity
1. I said you need to know a Project Fi subscriber or be one yourself to get a data-only SIM….which you do.
2. I said I got my phone for $450. The $199 price is offered when you sign up for Project Fi service. I never said it “runs” for $450.
Reading Comprehension > Rushing to troll a travel blogger
I got it about one month ago just to be able to use it on my trip to Shanghai and Taipei. It does great outside and some newer hotels, but some older hotels like the Indigo on the Bund in Shanghai got no signal. The hotel’s wifi was also bad, but as soon as you step out side the lobby, it works great. LTE with full bars. Even in the subway. I had Walmart’s $30 TMobile plan and the Project FI plan blows it out the water. I purchased the 32GB instead of the 16GB for $249. Google made it so easy to set up and transfer number. Now I have to see if Visa classifies them as internet so I can get 5 points for every dollar on the bill using Ink Plus.
“1. You need to be or know a Project Fi subscriber.
2. You need a Google Nexus device.”
This is the confusing part. In the early days of Fi an invite was required to get the service. No longer is that the case. Anyone can subscribe.
Thanks for the tip Kenny. I’ve updated the post to avoid confusing anyone else in the future. Thanks for reading!
Hey Brian,
I thought I would add something. The $450 option he was talking about is the Nexus 6P, (currently Google’s most powerful Nexus) whereas the $199 option is the Nexus 5X, which released at the same time as the 6P, but is less powerful and of course much cheaper.
PS. The 5X it’s still a great phone. My wife uses it and loves it. The phone is a steal at $199.