Google Project Fi (United States) uses 1 GSM band, 6 LTE bands, and 5 5G NR bands. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work with Google Project Fi (United States). See the tables below for details.

Check device compatibility


Carrier website: https://fi.google.com

Last updated: 2024/08/09 - See latest updates

Google Project Fi, now known as Google Fi, is a mobile network virtual operator (MVNO) that uses other networks to deliver service. Here are the key points about Google Fi’s United States mobile network:

  1. Network Providers:

    • Google Fi primarily uses the T-Mobile network for its coverage. This is due to T-Mobile's acquisition of Sprint and the subsequent integration of Sprint's towers into T-Mobile’s network.
    • Additionally, Google Fi uses other unnamed carriers for an extended network, allowing it to switch between different carriers to provide the best coverage based on the user's location.
  2. Coverage and Speed:

    • Google Fi offers fast and reliable nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage through the T-Mobile network.
    • The network supports various 5G capabilities, including mmWave 5G for the fastest speeds in select urban areas, standalone 5G for broader coverage, and 5G DSDS (dual connect technology) for improved signal strength on Pixel phones.
  3. International Coverage:

    • Google Fi extends its coverage to over 200 countries and territories, providing international 5G roaming in several countries, including Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, and many others.
  4. VPN and Privacy:

    • All phones on Google Fi get access to the VPN by Google for an encrypted and private online connection when using cellular data and Wi-Fi.
    • The W+ network is available for Pixel users running Android 12 or later, providing secure Wi-Fi connections in areas with high network traffic.
  5. Phone Compatibility and Plans:

    • Google Fi supports a wide range of phones, including Pixel devices, Samsung phones, and Motorola phones. Users can also bring their own devices, such as iPhones, but may not get the optimized network performance.
    • Google Fi offers various plans, including the Simply Unlimited plan, which provides unlimited data, calls, and texts, and the option to add extra high-speed data starting at $10 per gigabyte.
  6. Customer Experience and Features:

    • Google Fi is known for its seamless integration with Google services and its user-friendly app. It offers features like Wi-Fi calling, hotspot tethering, and customer support.
    • The service also includes a seven-day free trial that includes 10 GB of high-speed data, unlimited calls and texts, and hotspot tethering.

Overall, Google Fi provides a robust and flexible mobile network solution with strong coverage and innovative features, making it a popular choice for many users.


Is a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) operating on the host network of:


Frequency Bands

GSM

Name Interface Description
1900 MHz (PCS) GSM

Google Project Fi in the United States uses the GSM 1900 MHz (PCS) frequency band. This band operates in the 1,850–1,910 MHz range for the uplink (mobile to base) and the 1,930–1,990 MHz range for the downlink (base to mobile). The GSM 1900 MHz band was introduced in 1995 to support the growing demand for mobile services in the United States. It is primarily used in the U.S. and is less commonly deployed globally due to its overlap with the 1,900 MHz band used by LTE networks, which limits its widespread adoption.

Supported GSM Protocols

Name Generation
GPRS 2.5G
EDGE 2.5G

LTE

Name Interface Description
B2 (1900 MHz PCS) LTE

Google Project Fi United States uses LTE Band 2 (1900 MHz PCS) for its network. This band is primarily used in rural areas or where other bands are not available, offering higher reach and coverage in these regions. It is widely used in the Northeast to provide 4G coverage to distant places.

B4 (1700/2100 MHz AWS 1) LTE

Google Project Fi United States uses LTE Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz AWS 1) for its network. This band provides a good balance between coverage and capacity, offering faster speeds than other bands and reaching a wide area. It is commonly used in the United States and is supported by several major carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. The band can be used as a single band or as part of a multi-band network, and it supports carrier aggregation with other bands to enhance network performance.

B12 (700 MHz ac) LTE

Google Project Fi United States does not use LTE Band 12 (700 MHz ac).

B5 (850 MHz) LTE

Google Project Fi United States uses LTE Band 5 (850 MHz) for its network. This band provides additional coverage and complements other bands, particularly in dense urban areas. It is being used for 5G deployment, offering a wider range and better building penetration compared to high-band frequencies.

B66 (1700/2100 MHz) LTE

Google Project Fi United States uses LTE band B66 (1700/2100 MHz). This band was added to Google Project Fi on August 9, 2024.

B71 (600 MHz) LTE

Google Project Fi United States uses LTE Band 71 (600 MHz) for its network. This frequency band was added to Google Project Fi in August 2024.

Supported LTE Protocols

Name Generation
LTE 4G

5G NR

Name Interface Description
N41 (2500 MHz) 5G NR

Google Project Fi United States uses the 5G NR frequency band n41 (2500 MHz) for its 5G network. This band operates on a frequency range of 2496-2690 MHz and supports Time Division Duplexing (TDD) mode. The n41 band is considered a mid-band frequency, offering a balance between range and capacity. It is utilized by Google Project Fi to provide better coverage and support more users compared to lower-band frequencies. The higher bandwidth of n41 allows for more efficient use of the spectrum, enabling faster speeds and greater capacity for high-speed data transfer and low-latency applications. The band is primarily used in North America, where it was originally allocated to Sprint for its 5G network before being acquired by T-Mobile. Google Project Fi, which primarily uses the T-Mobile network, has added this band to its offerings to enhance its 5G capabilities.

N71 (600 MHz) 5G NR

Google Project Fi United States uses frequency band 5G NR N71 (600 MHz).

N258 (mmWave 26 GHz) 5G NR

Google Project Fi United States uses the 5G NR N258 (mmWave 26 GHz) frequency band. This band operates in the 24,250 to 27,500 MHz range and supports channel bandwidths of 50, 100, 200, and 400 MHz. The mmWave 26 GHz band is intended for short-range transmission at high data rates and is used for providing fast speeds in select urban areas.

N260 (mmWave 39 GHz) 5G NR

Google Project Fi United States uses the 5G NR N260 (mmWave 39 GHz) frequency band. This band operates in the 37-40 GHz range and supports TDD duplex mode. It is intended for short-range transmission at high data rates, offering high capacity services and dense frequency reuse in busy city areas and within office buildings.

N261 (mmWave 28 GHz) 5G NR

Google Project Fi in the United States uses the 5G NR frequency band n261 (mmWave 28 GHz) for its 5G services. This band is designed for short-range transmission with high data rates and is often used in Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and early mmWave mobility trials. The deployment of this band began in early 2019.


Latest updates