Google Fi Brings Back Network Switching With ‘Secondary’ Partner

Google Fi is bringing back network switching through an unnamed “secondary” 5G carrier. “Most users will be on the ‘Primary network,’ but Google Fi will automatically switch users to the ‘Secondary network’ if it meaningfully improves performance with so-called ‘smart thresholds’ for doing so,” reports 9to5Google. “At launch, there is no manual switching.” When Project Fi first launched the service included support with both Sprint and T-Mobile. That went away when T-Mobile acquired Sprint in 2020. 9to5Google reports: Google is not naming the second network today, but did share that Ultra Wideband is supported. Officially, you are switching between “two of America’s fastest 5G networks.”

Fi Wireless does note that users have top priority, so data is never deprioritized on the Primary network. Meanwhile, there’s “highest QCI priority” on the backup network that means subscribers are among the last to be slowed down when there’s congestion. This is also available internationally when local partner networks are available with the Flexible and Unlimited Premium plans.

Network switching will first be supported on Pixel 9 and newer devices that have a Google Fi eSIM (and no other SIM active). It makes use of Android’s Multiple Enabled Profiles (MEP) eSIM technology that allows for two carrier profiles on a single chip. […] These Google Fi updates start rolling out today, with network switching seeing gradual availability.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.