Google is expanding the coverage of its wireless service dubbed Project Fi even further.
The company announced via a blogpost on June 8 that it has added U.S. Cellular's network to Project Fi, whose partners already include T-Mobile and Sprint.
"Today, we're excited to introduce U.S. Cellular as our newest partner network," says Evan Jacobs, Product Manager of Project Fi. "U.S. Cellular, one of the top mobile networks in the U.S., offers service in 23 states with 4G LTE coverage for more than 99 [percent] of their subscribers, both urban and rural."
Jacobs adds that with the addition of U.S. Cellular in the list of network partners, Google's service now provides customers "more coverage and speed" to help them stay connected wherever they are.
The Product Manager also says the company is aware that mobile connectivity is undoubtedly "central" to all things consumers do. Thus, it is important that the company's network offers the needed consistency and speed so customers can seamlessly share information with their family and friends.
How Project Fi Works
Project Fi, unlike any other virtual network operators today, does not rely on only one network.
Google explains that the service analyzes speeds from every network. As a result, this can then predict the speediest network within customers' present location, "down to the city block." Project Fi instantly connects them to the fastest one.
The Mountain View-based company says it is continuously considering how various factors like newly available radio frequencies and new cell towers affect speeds.
Project Fi's goal, according to Google, is to make sure that it provides connection when users need it — even when they are in an area where signal is limited and poor.
The company claims that users of the service spend roughly 95 percent of cellular time on LTE and that they benefit from a connection 99 percent of the time. This is expected to improve with the company's recent partnership with U.S. Cellular.
Support for the newly added network will roll out to all consumers in the succeeding weeks.
For the uninitiated, Google opened the service to everyone in March. Originally, Project Fi was only available by invitation.
It is worth mentioning that the service does not require users to sign any annual contracts. Interested customers who wish to try out the Project Fi network will have to fork out $20 per month for unlimited calls and texts. On top of that, they may opt to pay $10 per GB of data every month.
