In the past two decades, technology has taken a wide leap forward. Social media, artificial intelligence and smart phones became a hot topic in 2010s, and we have been thriving in the industry of technology ever since. Two of such recent innovations are Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile.
Google Fi vs Xfinity Mobile
The main difference between Google Fi and Xfinity mobile is that while Google Fi is a telecommunication service provided by Google. Whereas, Xfinity mobile, is a wireless carrier brand, which gives you options to choose your plan. Google Fi works with different players in the market but Xfinity works only through Comcast.
Google Fi, named as Project Fi in its beta version in 2015, became public in 2016. It is an MNVO (mobile virtual network operator), which means that the company works with several mobile operators to get access to their electrical infrastructure. This service provided phone calls, SMS, and mobile data.
Xfinity Mobile is a wireless carrier service that uses Verizon’s and LTE network. It is a postpaid service and is only available to Comcast internet users. By signing up for this service, the user will get access to unlimited data. But, the service is available exclusively to Xfinity internet users.
Comparision Table Between Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile
| Parameters of Comparison | Google Fi | Xfinity Mobile |
| Launch Date | 2016 | 2017 |
| Service Founder | Dave Watson, Dana Strong and Mathew Strauss | |
| Eligibility | Everyone can use it | Have to be Xfinity internet customer |
| Payment Criteria | Pay on the first day of month for the usage | Option to pay once or pay for instantly and use it |
| Network Provider | T-mobile and Sprint | Verizon and LTE |
| Services | Phone calls, SMS, mobile data | Unlimited Data or the amount one paid for. |
What is Google Fi?
Google Fi was founded by Google in 2015 and was launched for public in 2016. This is a telecommunication service, which includes telephonic calls, mobile data, SMS, Wi-Fi and broadband services. It is a wireless smartphone service.
Unfortunately, Google Fi is only available in United States but it may work weakly in any nearby countries. Google Fi does not own any wireless network structure to support its functioning. Rather, it collaborates with other mobile network operators and uses their infrastructure for their own service. However, Google pays them well for accessing their infrastructure.
Google Fi uses Sprint, U.S. Cellular and T-sprint network services. These three are the best network services in the US and, hence, it helps Google Fi to function smoothlessly. Google Fi automatically switches between hotspots and Wi-Fi, but all data stays encrypted.
Phone calls seamlessly transition through mobile data to Wi-Fi networks, without interrupting the user. Also, for using Google Fi, one can simply sign up for it online and Google will send a SIM to user. The user can put the SIM in mobile and can use it.
Google Fi also provides a group plan for six members. This plan works in a similar manner as an individual plan. The user will pay for the service in the beginning of the month and will use it accordingly.
What is Xfinity Mobile?
Xfinity mobile is a postpaid service but it is only available to the Xfinity internet customers. It is an MVNO but is limited to only Xfinity internet users. This service is also available only in the United States.
The service was founded by Dave Watson, Dana Strong and Mathew Strauss, in April 2017. Xfinity mobile offers two plan options to the customers. One, they can pay for the unlimited data plan. Second is the ‘pay-as-you-go’ offer, according to which the customer can buy specific amount of data and can pay only for that.
Xfinity mobile is only available for people who have Comcast in their area. But, the customer can avail this service for free, only if he/she maintains their Xfinity internet service.
The data speed of the service is high, given it is supported by Verxion’s top-rated network. The service also offers 5G network in some locations. So, in some locations the data speed is comparatively higher.
Another condition to avail the offer is that one’s mobile must be compatible for the service. All mobile phones (especially androids) are not compatible for the service and hence, the user will not be able to use it.
Main Differences Between Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile
- For Xfinity Mobile, only Xfinity internet users can avail this service. But, everyone can use Google Fi by simply signing up for it online.
- Google Fi only offers a single plan for the service but Xfinity Mobile offers the ‘pay-as-you-go’ plan too.
- Google Fi was launched by the giant, Google. But, Xfinity Mobile was launched by three people, Dave Watson, Dana Strong and Mathew Strauss.
- Google Fi operates with multiple mobile network operators for their service but Xfinity Mobile has their own infrastructure.
- Xfinity Mobile is just a mobile data provider, but Google Fi provides services of telephone calls, SMS, and mobile data.
- Xfinity Mobile is free for people who have maintained their Xfinity internet service, but Google Fi does not have any such offer.
Conclusion
Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile, both are mobile data providing services. Both of these services are available only in the United States. Due to various monetary profits associated with these services, several people have switched to them.
Deciding which one is better, depends on various dimensions. The location, requirements, device are few factors which influence the performance of the services. Plenty of people have availed benefits by using these services, and reduced their monthly bill.
Google Fi is currently working to expand the dimensions of the service. They have successfully expanded it to countries 137 countries. Xfinity Mobile is also working to expand their business.
Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile, both the services functions differently from each other. But both of them are providing wireless mobile data to almost all of the US.
References
- https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3249157
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308596120301762
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7959885/