Google effectively confirmed back in early March that it is planning to launch an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) service in the U.S. Some details have already emerged but a new firmware image for the Nexus 6 appears to have revealed far more. Obtained by Android Police, this firmware, sporting build number LVY47H, contains a new app that appears to shed a lot of light on what Google plans to do with its new wireless service.
The app, named Tycho.apk, appears to be the interface to the service. It will offer everything from status updates, the ability to at least partially activate the service, request a new number, close an account and more. The apk already includes icons for some of these features.
What makes Project Fi quite different from its competition is that it will only charge customers for the data they use. You will still need to sign up for a plan but Google will refund you for any unused data. Going over will see you charged at the same rate for each additional gigabyte. Plans support both talk and text with data being purchased in increments of GBs (the exact number is not specified). Calls and text within the U.S. will be free and unlimited while international calls will be charged “at low rates.” Oddly, it appears that MMS will be charged separately.
Project Fi will also let you share your plan across devices. Additional lines will incur an additional charge though. Should you have multiple phones tied to the account, one will be the primary device. It will get the calls and texts. But rather than having to switch SIM cards when you want to use a different phone, Project Fi will let you easily switch to another primary device and will manage the call and text routing.
Users will also be able to finance the purchase of new devices through project Fi. It appears at this point that Google will offer the Google Nexus 6 as the sole available device. This could explain earlier rumours that Project Fi would only support its current flagship smartphone.
There is still no word on when Google could unveil its MVNO service but current speculation suggests that it will do so at Google I/O 2015 in late May.
Source : Android Police