Considering making the switch from VZW

[jonebk12]

I've been with Verizon forever and have always liked it. However, I recently moved to a new town and VZW service is frankly pretty bad. It's not that I'm out in the boonies or anything; we're basically a bedroom community outside a large city. On top of that, I also recently got a 5X. If you check out that area of the forums, you'll notice VZW people complaining about not getting the monthly security updates from Google as if Verizon is blocking them (when they pop in a different carrier's SIM, the updates come immediately). I know I'm still stuck on the October version.

Anyway, provided that I can keep my same phone number, I'm thinking about making the switch. Can people tell me about their experiences with Fi? Especially if you came from VZW. How's coverage generally?

 

[neilk]

I was with Verizon for 5+ years good years but then they altered their towers and no longer had coverage at home. Two weeks ago I received my 6p and my wife got a 5x. We both moved to Fi. I ported my existing number which took less than a minute. My wife got a new number. So far all is working well. Connected to my broadband at home via WiFi. Once outdoors it has connected to both Sprint and T-Mobile or public WiFi. Calls, texts, and data all function as they should. We both received the November security update this past week. We are very pleased to date.

 

[Rukbat]

Make sure Fi gives you the coverage you need before switching. Most people switch to Verizon because of their superior coverage but, as you see, they aren't superior everywhere. If you switch to Fi and find that you have no coverage, then you'll be switching again. ("Generally" won't tell you anything. Generally, Verizon has the best coverage. That wouldn't have done you any good if you were thinking of switching TO them.)

 

[kolyan2k]

Coverage depends on your location. Network switching is a bit buggy (I had more stable connection just on Tmobile alone), customer support is the worst I have experienced in years, currently they dont have full access to Tmobile towers (as they claim on their website)....could be a bug or maybe they never will have full access...we dont know yet because reps were instructed to keep their mouth shut on this issue. Also at this moment Fi is blocking Android M update as well due to some issues.
Aside from that, if you are ok with their pricing and constantly connected to WIFI then its a decent service that I would say still in Alpha stage due to above issues. Tmobile could be a better choice, I am about 50/50 when it comes to regret that I switched to Fi.....they mis-advertiser their service, mis-inform people and thats unacceptable

As funny as it might sound, I keep all emails and take screenshots of all conversations with Fi support team, because one week they tell you one thing, next week its 100% opposite

 

[Downwind]

I was with Verizon for 18 years. Their coverage was generally great but there were a couple of places I frequented that were dead spots. On the West Side of Los Angeles!! Fi works perfectly in those places. I had both services (new number from Fi) for a couple of weeks and then ported my number over and fired Verizon. So far so good.

 

[jonebk12]

Thanks for the opinions everyone. I got my Fi invite today, so I may go ahead and jump ship soon. The Fi coverage map looks good for my area. If, however, I start Fi, switch my number over, etc. but realize it's not working out after a week or two, does anyone know if I would be able to take my number with me again to another carrier? I've had the same number for over 10 years and it would be an enormous PITA to have to get a new one.

 

[kolyan2k]

Thanks for the opinions everyone. I got my Fi invite today, so I may go ahead and jump ship soon. The Fi coverage map looks good for my area. If, however, I start Fi, switch my number over, etc. but realize it's not working out after a week or two, does anyone know if I would be able to take my number with me again to another carrier? I've had the same number for over 10 years and it would be an enormous PITA to have to get a new one.

Yes you can. Since their coverage statement is a lie, I wouldn't be surprised if map is bs as well

 

[jonebk12]

So a small wrench has been thrown in my plans here. I ordered my Fi SIM, and it should be here tomorrow. However, it turns out I'm still under contract with VZW. Yeah, maybe I should have double checked before, but I'm on a family plan and it's hard to keep track because we've been swapping updates for years. Google won't actually start charging me for service until I activate the SIM, right? Also, does anyone know how long the SIM will stay "good" for (i.e., can I just hold onto it and activate it in a few months when my contract is up?)?

 

[Jason302]

Until you active the service you won't be billed. Also if you are porting your number from Verizon they will automatically cancel your Verizon account, just a heads up since a few people have missed that part while under contract. I just switched over 4 days ago in the greater Denver area. Not sure if you have a time limit to active though. I'd use the customer service tools within the Fi app or website, Chat has been great when they helped me port over my number and couldn't get sms/calls for a day.

 

[pr627]

I've been with Verizon forever and have always liked it. However, I recently moved to a new town and VZW service is frankly pretty bad. It's not that I'm out in the boonies or anything; we're basically a bedroom community outside a large city. On top of that, I also recently got a 5X. If you check out that area of the forums, you'll notice VZW people complaining about not getting the monthly security updates from Google as if Verizon is blocking them (when they pop in a different carrier's SIM, the updates come immediately). I know I'm still stuck on the October version.

Anyway, provided that I can keep my same phone number, I'm thinking about making the switch. Can people tell me about their experiences with Fi? Especially if you came from VZW. How's coverage generally?

Well it will mostly depend on your location. I am in Atlanta and generally speaking all the big 4 have decent coverage here. I was with VZW and now on Fi and coverage is equally as good if not better. Main thing for me is I do not use tons of data so I will be saving on my bill each month. I definitely recommend switching if you are somewhere that has good coverage from Tmo and Sprint

 

[nickacs]

Well it will mostly depend on your location. I am in Atlanta and generally speaking all the big 4 have decent coverage here. I was with VZW and now on Fi and coverage is equally as good if not better. Main thing for me is I do not use tons of data so I will be saving on my bill each month. I definitely recommend switching if you are somewhere that has good coverage from Tmo and Sprint

I'm just north of Atlanta and with VZW, but deciding to make the plunge and sign up with Fi. My wife and I had TMo a couple years ago and, while around town signal/data was "ok", when we travelled up 75/85 anywhere, signal dropped to 0% all the time. So we switched back to VZW a year ago this time and while everything has been great, paying $145 for 2 lines isn't great. The signal along the main highways when we travel to Michigan and Maryland is the only thing from making me signup for Fi right now. Uggg.... I don't want to leave VZW, try and Fi out and it doesn't work for us and then switch back

 

[sidsub]

I'm just north of Atlanta and with VZW, but deciding to make the plunge and sign up with Fi. My wife and I had TMo a couple years ago and, while around town signal/data was "ok", when we travelled up 75/85 anywhere, signal dropped to 0% all the time. So we switched back to VZW a year ago this time and while everything has been great, paying $145 for 2 lines isn't great. The signal along the main highways when we travel to Michigan and Maryland is the only thing from making me signup for Fi right now. Uggg.... I don't want to leave VZW, try and Fi out and it doesn't work for us and then switch back

Not an expert here, and I have no first hand experience on those highways, but I do know that T-Mo's coverage has greatly improved along major highways in the last couple of years, and Sprint's is very good as well because they're able to take advantage of a lot of the small CDMA operators in rural areas that resell capacity to VZW and Sprint. I would expect that you'd get at least 3g service along all the major interstate highways.

Also, if you own Nexus phones, switching and switching back to VZW should be relatively painless. In the old days phones were not interoperable and you had to get a new device and move all your stuff over. However, since the 5X and 6P will work on any US network, you can literally make the switch with a 10 minute phone call and an overnighted SIM card (or if you have nano-sims now, just hold on to them and reactivate) or pay a quick visit to a VZW store.

 

[Dubbayoo]

I'm just north of Atlanta and with VZW, but deciding to make the plunge and sign up with Fi. My wife and I had TMo a couple years ago and, while around town signal/data was "ok", when we travelled up 75/85 anywhere, signal dropped to 0% all the time. So we switched back to VZW a year ago this time and while everything has been great, paying $145 for 2 lines isn't great. The signal along the main highways when we travel to Michigan and Maryland is the only thing from making me signup for Fi right now. Uggg.... I don't want to leave VZW, try and Fi out and it doesn't work for us and then switch back

I'm in SW Atlanta and I switched from VZW; no regrets at all. I'm almost always on Wifi but the one speed test I did on TMobile was WAY faster than I ever got in 8+ years with Verizon.