Google Fi Adds Simply Unlimited Smartphone Plan: 22GB High-Speed Data On Device Only

Google Fi has added a new basic 'unlimited' plan to their lineup of plan options, aptly titled 'Simply Unlimited'. This plan includes 22GB of high-speed data on device and unlimited calling and texting in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Google Fi is a unique MVNO that uses Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular (a regional carrier) cellular networks paired with Wi-Fi hotspots, automatically picking the best partner wherever you happen to be. Google Fi isn't the most attractive plan for heavy data users, but it presents a very flexible option to carry 3 cellular networks in one plan, and some of their plans include easy international use.

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Currently Available Google Fi Plans

With the addition of the new Simply Unlimited plan, Google Fi rebranded their (formerly named) Unlimited Plan to be called Unlimited Plus. No other changes were made to this plan. 

Google Fi now offers three different plans to customers:

• Simply Unlimited for $60/month, it offers users 22GB of high-speed data on a phone and unlimited calling and texting in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. This plan does not include any mobile hotspot or tethering data use, nor use outside of U.S., Canada, or Mexico. You can not add on a data-only SIM to use in tablets, hotspots, or routers. After 22GB of data use, speeds are slowed to 256kbps. 
• Unlimited Plus for $70/month, it offers 22GB of high-speed data, unlimited calling and texting, and full mobile hotspot/tethering use of all data. The plan can be used internationally in 200+ locations around the world with included data roaming, including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With this plan, you can add on a free data-only SIM to share your pool of data in tablets, hotspots, and routers. After 22GB of total use speeds are slowed to 256kbps.  
• Flexible is a pay-as-you-go style plan that starts at $20/month for unlimited talk and text plus $10 per GB of data up to $60. At $60, no additional charges are tacked on to data use, but after 15GB of usage data speeds are slowed to 256kbps. This plan is available for use internationally in 200+ locations. As a data-only SIM, the plan is available to share data on data-only devices. 

All Google Fi data is subject to network management at all times and video streaming is always throttled to 480p.

Google Fi plans with international roaming specify that the majority of data use should be within the U.S., or you risk the possibility of termination. Google Fi does not specify what the threshold is for how long you can use the service without termination, but we have seen reports of threats of termination after 5 months of international travel.

Furthermore, international mobile hotspot and sending texts over Wi-Fi is unsupported when using an iPhone.

Thoughts

We consider Google Fi's Unlimited Plus plan (formerly Unlimited) and Flexible plan to be Top Pick plans for lighter data users, those who travel internationally, and those who are looking for a decent backup plan option.

Google Fi isn't the most attractive plan for heavy data users, but it presents a very flexible option to carry 3 cellular networks in one plan, and easy International use. It's ideal as a backup option if you carry AT&T and Verizon as your primary carriers, or if you do some international adventuring.

We don't consider Google Fi's new Simply Unlimited plan to be of interest to the average mobile internet seeker, as it is only usable on a smartphone device and provides no data sharing abilities. But if your needs are on device in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico - the small savings may be worth considering.