Skip to content

Google Announces 10x-20x Faster Speeds for Project Fi Users

July 12, 2016
2 min read
woman on the beach with her phone
Google Announces 10x-20x Faster Speeds for Project Fi Users
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Update: TPG Editor-in-Chief Zach Honig is currently in the UK for the Farnborough Air Show, so he tested Project Fi's recently improved speeds, as compared to an EE SIM. All three tests were completed with the same unlocked iPhone 6 near Heathrow Airport.

First up, here's the EE SIM:

Here's Project Fi connected to EE:

And Project Fi connected to 3:

Google's Project Fi is one of the best ways to stay connected when you're traveling abroad. The service allows you to make calls, send text messages and use data by switching between Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Wi-Fi networks — it even saved the day in Bali for TPG Editor-in-Chief Zach Honig.

Today, Google announced that it's increasing international data speeds, giving Project Fi users access to high-speed data in 135+ destinations and providing a more seamless experience when traveling abroad. Three, the UK-based internet service provider, is the latest addition to the Project Fi network, which will help to deliver speeds that are 10x-20x faster than the previous capability of Project Fi.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Project Fi is a popular option for travelers using data when abroad.

Project Fi costs $20 per month for talk, text and Wi-Fi tethering domestically and abroad — now in more than 135 destinations. Beyond that, data costs $10 per GB in the US and abroad, and if you don't use all the data you buy for the month, you'll be refunded approximately $0.1 per MB. For example, if you budget and pay for 2GB and you only end up using 1.265GB, you'll get a $7.35 credit. Best of all, there's no annual contract required.

Along with this announcement of increased speeds, Project Fi is also offering $150 off the Nexus 6P for the next week when you buy and activate with Project Fi. Keep in mind that Project Fi only works with select Google phones such as the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6, but also works with an unlocked iPhone 6. This should be a welcome change for Project Fi users, who will now have even faster access to the internet while they're traveling.

TPG featured card

4 / 5
Go to review
Rewards rate
1XChoose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee
2XEarn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status + $300 of Bilt Cash
Annual fee
$495
Regular APR
26.74 - 34.74% variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Good Credit, Excellent Credit

Pros

  • Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
  • Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
  • $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
  • $200 Bilt Cash annually
  • Priority Pass membership
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Moderate annual fee
  • Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
  • Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
  • Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
  • 2X points on everyday spend
  • $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
  • $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
  • Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
  • Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
  • Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.