You may have heard. Google is now a wireless service provider. Though some may not be that impressed with what the search giant has to offer, as it is not entirely new, it still gives consumers another option when it comes to choosing which network to use for their data, text, call and roaming needs.

But how does Google’s Project Fi compare to what network carriers now offer? Will consumers really be able to save when they sign up for Project Fi?

Pricing

Google Project Fi: For $20, you get the basic service, which includes unlimited domestic talk and text, unlimited international texts, low-cost international calls, Wi-Fi tethering and coverage in 120+ countries. For an additional $10, you get 1GB of data, which means you can get all of these perks for just $30 a month.

AT&T: The network offers $80 for unlimited call and text and 3GB of data for individual plans under a two-year contract or $65 for the same perks but on its Next or no annual contract offering. For international messages, it’s free under the AT&T Mobile Share Value Plans or $0.25 per text and $0.50 for photo messages.

T-Mobile: For $50, you get unlimited call, text, 1GB of 4G LTE data, and unlimited data at lower speed, as well as unlimited data & text in 120+ countries and destinations.

Sprint: A single line is priced at $60 a month and comes with unlimited talk, text and data.

Verizon: For $60, you get unlimited voice and text, as well as 1GB of 4G LTE data. Or if you’re on Verizon Edge, you get the same perks for only $45. The plan also comes with international messaging, 25GB of cloud storage, personal hotspot, shareable data and the NFL Mobile app.

Device availability

Google Project Fi: Only available for the Nexus 6 device for now. Google cites software and hardware compatibility as the reason for the limited availability of the service.

AT&T: Dozens of flagship and affordable smartphones to choose from.

T-Mobile: Dozens of flagship and affordable smartphones to choose from.

Sprint: Dozens of flagship and affordable smartphones to choose from.

Verizon: Dozens for flagship and affordable smartphones to choose from.

Unused data scheme

Google Project Fi: Google doesn’t offer a rollover program for unused data, but it only bills you for the data you have used. This means if you signed up for $20 for 2GB of data and you have 0.6GB of unused data, you get $6 back. At the end of the month, you get credited in dollars and cents for your unused data.

AT&T: Rollover Data is automatically available if you are on AT&T Mobile Share Data Plans, and it rolls over unused data to the next month. Rolled-over data automatically expires after one month, which means you can’t stack up all your unused data for succeeding months.

T-Mobile: Data Stash is T-Mobile’s rollover offering, which is available for its 3GB and 5GB data plans, costing $60 and $70, respectively. Any unused data will be rolled over to the next month, which means you get more data next month while paying the same price for the service. New activations of 3GB or 5GB Simple Choice plans after January 1, 2015, get 10GB of free Data Stash and will expire on December 31, 2015.

Sprint: None.

Verizon: None.

What you need to know

Though Google’s Project Fi seems to compete with the wireless  service providers mentioned above, it should be noted that T-Mobile and Sprint are its partners and it will be paying the two networks to carry its traffic and allow people to switch between the two services depending on which one has the stronger signal. Still, Google’s offering is much more affordable than what the other networks offer, even its partner networks, and this may cause market disruption.

Unfortunately, no matter how affordable the Project Fi offers its service, the fact remains that unless you’re using a Nexus 6, you can’t subscribe to the service. Unless you are ready to ditch your iPhone, Galaxy device or any other smartphone just to take advantage of Google’s offering, then you’re out of luck for now. The Nexus 6 is priced starting at $649, not really an affordable option if you’re looking to purchase a new smartphone, especially when network carriers now offer subsidized device plans wherein consumers no longer have to be tied down with a two-year contract and can pay for the device in an installment basis.

Ultimately, Project Fi really is an affordable option for your call, text and data needs, but unless it becomes available to more devices, then it won’t be long until people forget all about it.

Image source: Google