Project Fi

[Wiley_11]

Since this is your first post, S Will, welcome to Android Central Forums. Could you tell us what this "couple of hundreds dollars" added to your bill for account cost was for? Your bill itemizes all costs and tells you exactly what each cost is for.

My guess is S Will is on Fido or some other carrier.

 

[jsarino]

Yeah, I'm curious how it's possible for them to get hit with hundreds of dollars added to the bill. I need more information, or at least a glimpse on what items caused it to skyrocket so high.

I've had the service for almost two years, and in that time, the highest bill I've had was a hair under $50. We went overseas for a month, and I actively used the service (data+calls) while traveling to three different countries (1 in Middle East, 2 in SE Asia). That period "spiked" to $47.37. It was awesome!

 

[cbreze]

I may try it for a month or two if there's no commitment involved. that's the only way to really find out if it's going to work for me personally or not. But I'm going to hang on to Verizon as a backup until I decide.

 

[TraderGary]

I may try it for a month or two if there's no commitment involved. that's the only way to really find out if it's going to work for me personally or not. But I'm going to hang on to Verizon as a backup until I decide.

Keep in mind that for Fi low cost to work well depends totally on how much cell tower data you use.

It works so well for us because wherever we are, work, home, restaurants, etc., there is always quality WiFi. As long as you are using WiFi data there is no charge for data. And the nice thing about Fi is it defaults first to WiFi. About the only time we use actual cell data is if we're on the road and ask Google something. Our data charges average only a few dollars a month.

 

[sulla1965]

Nothing has changed for Verizon here in Atlanta.
For my wife and myself...
$130 Verizon
$35 Google Fi

Red pocket unlimited text, talk and 3GB data $30 with Verizon coverage.

 

[TraderGary]

Red pocket unlimited text, talk and 3GB data $30 with Verizon coverage.

I'm not interested in prepaid plans.

 

[cbreze]

Keep in mind that for Fi low cost to work well depends totally on how much cell tower data you use.

It works so well for us because wherever we are, work, home, restaurants, etc., there is always quality WiFi. As long as you are using WiFi data there is no charge for data. And the nice thing about Fi is it defaults first to WiFi. About the only time we use actual cell data is if we're on the road and ask Google something. Our data charges average only a few dollars a month.

Thanks for your input, I'd need to give it a good trial period before I'd consider leaving Verizon. I currently pay $55/month for 5GB data UL/talk text. I rarely go over 1.5 GB in a month and could easily keep it under 1Gb if I was paying attention as I only use Verizon's data when I'm away from my wifi. I understand Fi is $10/GB so I'd probably keep the bill down to $30/$40 range. So saving max $25/mo is best case scenario. Or $15/mo which is hardly worth it. Thats why I'd need a good trial period to check my usages, maybe a couple months. Might give it a test drive.

 

[tpero]

Yeah, I'm curious how it's possible for them to get hit with hundreds of dollars added to the bill. I need more information, or at least a glimpse on what items caused it to skyrocket so high.

I've had the service for almost two years, and in that time, the highest bill I've had was a hair under $50. We went overseas for a month, and I actively used the service (data+calls) while traveling to three different countries (1 in Middle East, 2 in SE Asia). That period "spiked" to $47.37. It was awesome!

I'm jealous of all of these low bills. My wife and I both commute by train to work so we end up using a lot of data listening to spotfiy, podcasts, youtube, etc. But even when we hit the 10GB/month ceiling on Fi, our bill is still $20 lower than it was on AT&T previously. Love it so far after a couple months. Worked great in UK and Lithuania on a business trip this summer.

 

[TraderGary]

Thanks for your input, I'd need to give it a good trial period before I'd consider leaving Verizon. I currently pay $55/month for 5GB data UL/talk text. I rarely go over 1.5 GB in a month and could easily keep it under 1Gb if I was paying attention as I only use Verizon's data when I'm away from my wifi. I understand Fi is $10/GB so I'd probably keep the bill down to $30/$40 range. So saving max $25/mo is best case scenario. Or $15/mo which is hardly worth it. Thats why I'd need a good trial period to check my usages, maybe a couple months. Might give it a test drive.

It sounds like you are on an individual plan. If that would be the case, your Fi base bill would only be $20. 1 Gb data would be $10. I'm guessing taxes and fees should keep you under $35.

And you're correct, there is no contract. You can test and start/stop any time you want. Let us know how it goes!

 

[cbreze]

If I understand correctly the Fi networks that are utilized are T-mobile, Sprint and US Cellular. Is that correct? US Cellular is pretty big here in the Pacific Northwest and roams on Verizon. Sprint signal is pretty poor even in parts of town and T-mobile is bad or slim to none outside of town. So if I'm out and have no wifi or cell signal from those three would I be allowed to roam with Verizon by default from US Cellular? I hike and get far off the beaten path and Verizon is awesome at having signal everywhere. So being able to roam with them would seal the deal for me. And of course this begs the need for a test drive period but thought I'd ask what others experiences have been. Thanks.
EDIT: One more concern is porting my number over from Verizon. Easy process?

 

[TraderGary]

Yes, you can keep your same number. This is true no matter what carrier you might choose.

I'm in the Atlanta area and Sprint and T-Mobile are strong everywhere. I've not had any problems whatsoever with Fi no matter where I go in the area. I've never seen a Fi connection to U.S. Cellular here.

I have no idea what your results would be with Fi where you are. You might try calling Fi support.

 

[hallux]

One more concern is porting my number over from Verizon. Easy process?

Mine ported real easy.

You need to have a decent T-Mobile signal to complete activation. Have you checked if they'll even sell you service? If T-Mobile is weak enough they won't even let you register.

 

[cbreze]

Mine ported real easy.

You need to have a decent T-Mobile signal to complete activation. Have you checked if they'll even sell you service? If T-Mobile is weak enough they won't even let you register.

Didn't know that about T-mobile. We have a neighborhood (nextdoor) website (big area) and I have heard people complaing about the T-mo signal being weak and looking for better options. So perhaps the reasoning is Fi wants T-mo to be the default? Just a guess. I think they are generally OK in the town so that may be good enough but perhaps not all neighborhoods equally. I'll hafta see what they say. If anything.

 

[hallux]

The data-only SIM cards run on T-Mobile only. If you use a Fi SIM in an unsupported device, the only carrier it uses is T-Mobile.

 

[cbreze]

Just activated my Pixel 2 on Fi. Super easy via the website. Activation on my pixel is sim free so no waiting for a sim in the mail. Took like 5 to 10 minutes and I had service. The only downside is I had to put my Verizon sim into my backup device an iPhone 7, LOL. It's going to be weird carrying 2 phones around for awhile but I need to use the Fi service as much as possible to give it a good test. I'm committed to Verizon for 2 more months as I make a $4 a month payment on some equip that I have to see thru to the end, but a good thing to give this a good trial run. Going on a road trip in a couple of weeks and will also be in Canada so I'm excited to try the service when traveling and also out of the country.
Hoping to find no downsides.

 

[TraderGary]

cbreze, how's your speed at your home base?

Signal Spy is a great app for Fi that tells you which of the three you're connected to and also lets you change between them at will. There are a lot of users and it gets good reviews.

 

[cbreze]

cbreze, how's your speed at your home base?

Signal Spy is a great app for Fi that tells you which of the three you're connected to and also lets you change between them at will. There are a lot of users and it gets good reviews.

Thanks for the tip on signal spy. Handy app.

My home wifi speed is about 12MB down and 2MB up.
Turning off wifi I default to a pretty weak T-mobile signal and get about 2 down and less than one MB up.
One thing concerning me right off is when I make a test call to my Verizon iPhone it's hit or miss as to whether I can hear the caller(me) on the receiving end(iPhone). Not sure whats going on there. Will try a call to a friends phone tomorrow.

 

[MarkHirt]

If it goes to roam it will be at 3G speeds

 

[TraderGary]

Thanks for the tip on signal spy. Handy app.

My home wifi speed is about 12MB down and 2MB up.
Turning off wifi I default to a pretty weak T-mobile signal and get about 2 down and less than one MB up.
One thing concerning me right off is when I make a test call to my Verizon iPhone it's hit or miss as to whether I can hear the caller(me) on the receiving end(iPhone). Not sure whats going on there. Will try a call to a friends phone tomorrow.

Ouch!

Here in the Atlanta area on my home WiFi I'm getting 180 Mbps down and 12 Mbps up. In almost a year of being on Fi phone coverage and reliability has been excellent.

 

[cbreze]

Ouch!

Here in the Atlanta area on my home WiFi I'm getting 180 Mbps down and 12 Mbps up. In almost a year of being on Fi phone coverage and reliability has been excellent.

Yeah, smallish town and my internet is bare bones but works for what I need and I'm the only one using it. Never goes out like the expensive 100MBps does all the time around here which costs 3 times as much.
Two full days with Fi and it looks promising. The calling issue with the caller not being able to hear that cropped right up the first day seems to be gone and is working well. (so far)
Call quality does not seem on par with Verizon tho. It could be the wifi calling feature, not sure. Seems garbled at times on my end and not sure how they hear me on their end. i made a call with the wifi turned off using Sprint and it sounded pretty good. I noticed alot of call quality complaints on the google fi forums.
. I like it so far and hoping it will work out ok.
Is there any downside to turning off wifi to make a call when at home? tried it both ways and it seems clearer on the LTE.