Project Fi is Google’s phone service that leverages WiFi hotspots as well as Sprint and T-Mobiel’s networks to route your calls and data over the best available signal.

Google launched Project Fi in April, but up until now only one phone has officially been supported: the 2014 Google Nexus 6.

That changes this month. Both the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P work with Project Fi. So to celebrate the retail launch of the Nexus 5X, Google is handing out invites to Project Fi for one day only.

project fi_001

Normally you’d need to request an invite and then wait for Google to get around to sending your an invite. Today Google is expediting the process.

While the combined network coverage is one of the things that makes Project Fi stand out, the billing is another: Google charges $20 for basic, unlimited calls and text messages. Then you can buy mobile data for $10 per gigabyte. For example, you’d pay $40 per month for talk, text, and 2GB of data or $60 for 4GB.

Don’t use all that data by the end of the month? Google will reimburse you. That means you end up only paying for the data you actually use each month.

Google doesn’t charge extra for tethering, and you can make calls to international phone numbers for no extra charge. You can also use your phone when traveling outside the US by connecting to hotspots.

I’ve been testing Project Fi with the Nexus 5X review unit Google loaned me, and for the most part it seems to work pretty well. But it does rely on Sprint and T-Mobile for cellular connectivity, and neither of those companies has the same level of network coverage as AT&T or Verizon in the US. There have been a few times when my Nexus 5 phone with a Straight Talk/AT&T SIM card was able to get reception in a location where the Nexus 5X with a Project Fi card was not.

On the other hand, when I’ve got a decent signal, Project Fi offers comparable data speeds to Straight Talk, and I pay about $50 per month for my current plan and often use less than 3GB of data, so there are certainly plenty of months where I would save some money if I switched to Project Fi.

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6 replies on “Google is giving out Project Fi invites to anyone (in the US) today”

  1. If you are “inviting” anyone and everyone that wants to join, then why bother “inviting” in the first place? Idiots…

  2. Nah! Long Live Cricket! 5 lines for $100 and 2.5 gb data for free! Not a super user and I can do anything with 3g as I do with 4g lte! Nope not for me!

    1. Not a superuser? With 5 lines? I get by with just one!

      Cricket is actually 4G too, though the data is throttled to around 8mbps download (something has to give). It is a very good deal if it fits with your needs. Project Fi is better for people who have to deal with weak signals, or where the Sprint or T-Mobile networks are stronger.

      1. if this was ATT verizon then i’d be game I already have Sprint and T-Mobile and I barely pay for them Sprint is free and T-Mobile is $2 per month..

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