Google Fi for Dummies help

[ShaggyKids]

Hi all,

I was just reminded of the existence of Google Fi. The article says in it that no matter where we live Google Fi probably has us covered. Skeptical when the two major companies have lousy service in our area.

Not even sure what Google Fi is. Anyone feel like providing some feedback? Thanks.

Deb

 

[B. Diddy]

Google Fi is Google's MVNO that uses T-Mobile and US Cellular (with T-Mo providing most of its nationwide coverage). Since you previously mentioned that you tried T-Mobile and its coverage was still terrible, it's unlikely that Google Fi will be an improvement. But assuming US Cellular is available in your area and you never tried it, it may still be worth a go.

 

[cbreze]

I had kind of bad luck with Fi. Tried them for a couple of months using a pixel 2. Back Then Sprint was separate so the 3 carriers were sprint. US cellular and T-mobile. Well T-mobile was the only signal I could receive as the other 2 were totally weak. I could make calls from home using wifi but when out and about it was constantly searching for open wifi which was subpar most of the time and even T-mo would have a stronger signal in town and it still had to search for some weak free wifi. I had to turn off wifi scanning then it would default to T-mo. I got rid of it after a couple of months.
However, My daughter loves it tho and has no issues at all. but she lives in the middle of a big city, I don't. I then got one line on Mint Mobile (t-mo mvno) and it works great at $15/month. I'm thinking of putting my other line on Mint, can't beat that price. Yearly rate, $200 = $16.66/month. 4GB data UL text and calls. Pay once a year and forget about it for 12 months, I like that.

 

[bkeaver]

I had kind of bad luck with Fi. Tried them for a couple of months using a pixel 2. Back Then Sprint was separate so the 3 carriers were sprint. US cellular and T-mobile. Well T-mobile was the only signal I could receive as the other 2 were totally weak. I could make calls from home using wifi but when out and about it was constantly searching for open wifi which was subpar most of the time and even T-mo would have a stronger signal in town and it still had to search for some weak free wifi. I had to turn off wifi scanning then it would default to T-mo. I got rid of it after a couple of months.
However, My daughter loves it tho and has no issues at all. but she lives in the middle of a big city, I don't. I then got one line on Mint Mobile (t-mo mvno) and it works great at $15/month. I'm thinking of putting my other line on Mint, can't beat that price. Yearly rate, $200 = $16.66/month. 4GB data UL text and calls. Pay once a year and forget about it for 12 months, I like that.

I've thought about them, but I sure couldn't do just 4gb a month. I'd have to step up a plan but even then it would be tight.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[Hghlndr]

Shaggy, what did you end up doing? And, may all be well!

So, am interested as I live in NoAZ where VZ is king; with all the tourist visits and the extra bandwidth usage, tower congestion, etc., their service usually is miserable about 5 days a week these last many years, and am fed up with it!
Been looking into the"new" FI, and now they're testing a beta usage where if you go to their site and you're area allows, you can get a week off their service, free to "try it out" using an eSim if your device is capable and compatible.

Wondering if one can really have 2 service providers simultaneously on their compatible device?
Like a VZ Sim and an eSim...
Would the phone function, or is their a way to prioritize carriers?

Thanks Shaggy and anyone else who has a response! Peace
Oh, and a blessed Spring Equinox tomorrow....

 

[swebb]

You certainly can have two providers active. I did that when testing Mint Mobile. After you download and install the eSim, there will be a new menu option under Network and Internet settings showing both sims. You can pick which sim to use for calls and SMS, and data. Data will be a radio button to choose one of the sims, while calls and SMS will have more options (I believe) to use one of the sims or to use both of the sims. If both, you will get alerts and prompts whenever you text or use voice for which one to use.

It's been a while since I did this so I may not have some of the details correct.

 

[Hghlndr]

You certainly can have two providers active. I did that when testing Mint Mobile. After you download and install the eSim, there will be a new menu option under Network and Internet settings showing both sims. You can pick which sim to use for calls and SMS, and data. Data will be a radio button to choose one of the sims, while calls and SMS will have more options (I believe) to use one of the sims or to use both of the sims. If both, you will get alerts and prompts whenever you text or use voice for which one to use.

It's been a while since I did this so I may not have some.. of the details correct.

Hey man, Thanks for the thorough walk thru! Am truly grateful as it allays my fears and sounds like I could handle it.
Peace