Google has recently announced that it is launching a new service that is packed up in its already existing Fiber high-speed internet and cable TV package. This time around, however, it adds something very similar to your classic landline phone connection, at little to no extra cost per month. However, unlike the landline phone you have had for years without using almost at all and making you wonder why you still insist on having it, the Google Fiber Phone can do a little more.
For starters, included in the package you will find limitless nationwide calling – regardless of whether it’s California, Minnesota, Canada or anything in between. That includes both landlines and mobile across the United States. When it comes to international calling, Google advertises that in spite of being subjected to international rates, they have been made affordable across most continents of the world. For example, calling China or India will be 1 cent per minute. Calling France or Belgium landlines would cost you 2 cents per minute while calling a mobile phone on the Telenet or Mobistar carriers will cost you 3.
The Google Fiber Phone service gives its users the chance to maintain an already existing number rather than having to change it and have to notify everyone of it through other means. Meanwhile, despite its status set as a landline phone, you still get numerous features you would normally on your mobile phone to ensure you get the amount of privacy you need. Google Fiber Phone provides its users with features such as spam filtering, call screening and even a do not disturb mode if taking calls is not what you need at a given time.
However, not plenty of people will look kindly to the idea of landlines, even if they solve the issue of untimely battery drainage or bad coverage that is possible to get on mobile phones. But considering that the Google Fiber Phone also includes an on-the-go solution, where you can link your mobile phone to your landline and pick up calls from the latter even if you’re out. On top of that, you also get Visual Voicemail – a feature that transcribes voicemails to text, which can be sent to you via email or text.
So Google is offering the Fiber Phone feature to existing plans for a mere $10 a month but introducing it onto the market in phases. Its first release phase will only be bringing it in several regions within the United States, then slowly be released in more states until it is available in every single area where Google Fiber is present.
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