Google Fi adds AI-powered bill summaries and call quality upgrades

Google Fi is rolling out several major updates to its cellular service, including AI-powered bill summaries, enhanced call quality, and improved web functionality. The upgrades represent Google’s effort to modernize its MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) service—which piggybacks on other carriers’ networks—while adding artificial intelligence features that could streamline customer support and improve user experience.

What you should know: Google Fi subscribers will soon have access to a Gemini-powered chatbot that can answer billing questions and provide account summaries.

• The AI billing assistant aims to reduce wait times for customer support by handling routine inquiries about charges and account details.
• Google claims testers have had positive experiences with the feature, prompting the company to roll it out more widely.
• The chatbot represents another example of how telecom providers are integrating AI into customer service operations.

Call quality improvements: Starting next month, Fi will introduce AI-powered audio enhancement to reduce background noise during calls.

• The “optimized audio” feature uses artificial intelligence to filter out environmental sounds like wind and crowd noise from both ends of the conversation.
• While Pixel users already have similar noise reduction for their side of calls, this update will improve audio quality for the person they’re speaking with as well.
• Google has also added support for HD and HD+ calling on supported network connections.

Web interface overhaul: Fi’s web-based calling and messaging will finally support RCS messaging starting in December, ending a long-standing limitation.

• Previously, users had to disable RCS (Rich Communication Services)—advanced messaging features like read receipts and high-quality photo sharing—on their accounts to access Fi’s web features for calls and texts.
• The updated web interface will allow subscribers to use calls, messaging, and voicemail through their browser while keeping advanced messaging features enabled.
• Google says the web experience has been redesigned for better accessibility and easier access from Fi account pages.

Wi-Fi Auto Connect+ controversy: Pixel users will be automatically enrolled in a new feature that switches devices from mobile data to certified Wi-Fi hotspots.

• Google claims its network includes “tens of millions” of secure and fast Wi-Fi access points that will display a “W+” icon when connected.
• The feature could save users data and provide faster speeds, but may also switch to Wi-Fi even when mobile data connections are superior.
• Jane Harnett from Google confirms users will be opted in by default, though they can disable the feature if they prefer to stick with mobile data exclusively.