Whose network am I on?

[Dylan Gorski]

I live and commute around Kentucky weekly and I have been driving through areas that neither T-Mobile nor Sprint have any coverage except "partner coverage" but I'm getting 3G and sometimes 4G LTE in those areas. Project Fi's coverage map says those areas have 2G coverage so I'm not sure whose network I'm getting signal from. Anybody have any idea what's going on?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Schoat333]

I have noticed this as well. It seems that Google may have agreements with some other partners for certain areas.

 

[I800C0LLECT]

Maybe T-Mobile is expanding? I heard their 4G LTE coverage should noticeably improve as they complete expansion this year.

 

[Dylan Gorski]

I thought T-Mobile was going straight from 2G to LTE? I've gotten a couple places where I think I've picked up on T-Mobile's LTE where it hasn't launched yet but I'm not sure about the 3G. Wouldn't there have to be some public documents somewhere if Google signed agreements with the regional carriers?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[matty032]

I believe you roam with Sprint/TMobiles roaming partners if you can't access them.

 

[Dylan Gorski]

I believe you roam with Sprint/TMobiles roaming partners if you can't access them.

That seems like that's the likely case but why wouldn't Project Fi list their coverage on the coverage map instead of indicating that it's all 2G coverage? Just seems strange.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Andrew Martonik]

I live and commute around Kentucky weekly and I have been driving through areas that neither T-Mobile nor Sprint have any coverage except "partner coverage" but I'm getting 3G and sometimes 4G LTE in those areas. Project Fi's coverage map says those areas have 2G coverage so I'm not sure whose network I'm getting signal from. Anybody have any idea what's going on?

Posted via the Android Central App

Presumably you'll roam (at least for some small amount of data) on either T-Mobile's or Sprint's roaming partners. Roaming on prepaid MVNOs (like Fi) is usually limited to very small amounts of data (we're talking 25MB or less per month), but it should work. I would assume if they have very limited roaming agreements they wouldn't actually advertise those areas as having coverage on the Fi maps.

If you're ever curious about what network you're on, try out an app like SignalCheck: https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...d=com.blueline.signalchecklite&token=Gabbn5Bk

 

[AlexMadarasz]

... If you're ever curious about what network you're on, try out an app like SignalCheck: https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...d=com.blueline.signalchecklite&token=Y04voJHA

Ah, SignalCheck Pro is exactly what I was looking for! I'd tried Network Signal Info Pro and it didn't dig into the connectivity data like SignalCheck Pro does.

SignalCheck Pro has confirmed that switching to Fi was the best choice all around for me ... I have always believed that the nearest tower to me was a "Sprint" tower, and my new Fi account proves it - before Fi I was hamstrung with marginal EDGE service from a "T-Mobile" tower 2-3 miles away and over a hill (1 or two bars at best, and almost no signal on the oposite side of the house from the tower), and now SignalCheck Pro confirms that I'm connected to Sprint LTE 800 with several bars of service all the time (the Sprint tower is on top of the hill). Combined with my massive data refund/credit ($9.72 out of $10) due to working at home, this makes Fi a definite Win-Win for me!

--
Alex

 

[winter128]

Ah, SignalCheck Pro is exactly what I was looking for! I'd tried Network Signal Info Pro and it didn't dig into the connectivity data like SignalCheck Pro does.

SignalCheck Pro has confirmed that switching to Fi was the best choice all around for me ... I have always believed that the nearest tower to me was a "Sprint" tower, and my new Fi account proves it - before Fi I was hamstrung with marginal EDGE service from a "T-Mobile" tower 2-3 miles away and over a hill (1 or two bars at best, and almost no signal on the oposite side of the house from the tower), and now SignalCheck Pro confirms that I'm connected to Sprint LTE 800 with several bars of service all the time (the Sprint tower is on top of the hill). Combined with my massive data refund/credit ($9.72 out of $10) due to working at home, this makes Fi a definite Win-Win for me!

--
Alex

Also try "phono", its an app on the playstore. It changes the "Fi Network" in the notification bar to the carrier you are currently on. It also has a nice widget if you like....SHARP and FREE!!