There aren't a lot of pots in which Google doesn't have a hand, but wireless service is currently one of them.
In the US, it's the realm of disliked-but-tolerated companies like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and others. But what would happen if Google - a company that is notably less disliked than these carriers - started its own wireless business?
That's the idea behind Google's rumored move to become a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and offer users its very own wireless service.
We've previously heard about the service under the name Project Nova, but as of now it seems it may be called Project Fi.
You probably have a lot of questions about it, and while we can't answer them all, we can tell you what there is to know so far.
What is Google Project Fi
Project Fi is reportedly a new wireless service that Google will launch to offer mobile service directly to users.
Being an MVNO means Google essentially licenses network infrastructure from other carriers. There are other companies that do this, likeStraight Talk, which TechRadar went in depth on. Straight Talk offers customers phone plans that work on other carriers' networks.
Google would do the same, making itself the middleman between customers and carriers, and the search company would shape the service they receive. As a Project Fi customer, you might find yourself on one carrier's network or another's (so far it seems Sprint and T-Mobile will provide their networks at launch), but in terms of billing, plans, customer service and more, you'd only deal with Google.
The new name and many of the details in this report turned up in an app discovered in an unofficial firmware image released to testers for Google's Nexus 6 flagship. Android Police detailed the app, which appears to describe many of the features and functions of Project Fi.
Given its tenuous nature, a lot of the information we have could be inaccurate or out of date. But the site was confident enough in the app's veracity to subject it to a thorough teardown, and most of the info rings of truth.
The juiciest bit is that Google's MVNO will apparently only charge users for the data they use. If you don't use all the data in your plan, Google will credit you some cash back. And if you go over your plan's allotment, you'll be charged a flat rate for additional data, no extra fees.
Pricing for calls and texts appears to match Google Hangouts: free within the US, and a low rate for international.
Google may also let users sign up for multiple lines and data pools on a single account, common for wireless users but rare on MVNOs like Straight Talk.
The app, code named Tycho, is apparently fairly standard for a carrier app, like the ones T-Mobile, Verizon and others let their customers use to pay bills, check their plans and more. As such it reveals some of the possibilities for Project Fi.
It looks like users may be able to activate new service and request and transfer new numbers within the app, which is more than most carriers let you do. That could be an early sign that Google wants to offer better service than its competitors, which shouldn't come as a surprise.
Where it will be available
Google's Project Fi is certain to be a US-only service if and when it launches, but beyond that the details are scarce.
Internal testers currently trying the service out reportedly have to sign up through a separate website and not through the app itself, but that may well change by the time Project Fi surfaces publicly.
That's led to further speculation that Google Fi might soft launch as an invite-only service, which seems plausible.
Once Google Fi is finally out there, it seems likely it will be available wherever there's Sprint and/or T-Mobile service, plus whatever other carriers partner with Google.
What devices will support it
Tycho makes countless references to "Project Fi," notably calling devices that support the service "your Project Fi phone." But it's not yet clear what phones that will include.
Rumors last month said that the service - then being referred to as Project Nova - might be exclusive to the Nexus 6. And that might still be the case.
But Android Police's exhaustive report offers another possibility: that Google will offer the Nexus 6 on a payment plan for users who buy into Project Fi.
There are multiple clues in the Tycho app, including the phrases "device financing," "Nexus 6 device payment," "Nexus 6 device refund," and others.
That would tie the service to the Nexus brand and provide an incentive for customers to use them together, potentially creating an army of new Nexus devotees. But it also leaves open the possibility that users on other devices could still sign up.
What it means for carriers
Google will have to partner with traditional wireless carriers for this service, but it also may give those companies a run for their money by being more affordable, flexible and friendly than them.
That's often been Google's M.O., and although it hasn't always been successful the company has a reputation for disrupting these traditional spaces. One need only look at the positive buzz around Google Fiber, a service that's only available in a handful of US cities.
Project Fi looks like it might turn out the same thanks to a versatile app, fewer restrictions, easy account management, and yet more that was discovered in the Tycho app, like the ability to transfer your Google Voice number over or easily opt out of letting Google sell your usage data.
This wouldn't be the first time the wireless industry is forced to step up its game to compete with a new threat - just look at all the positive changes T-Mobile's "un-carrer" campaign has catalyzed - but with Google at the helm this could prove to be a major shake-up.
Hopefully we learn more about Google's Project Fi, including whatever it's going to actually be called, at Google IO 2015 in May.
From techradar
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