Google Fi info/opinions !

[T_Minus]

Anyone using Google's Project Fi ?

Obviously not cheap for high data users, but I'm curious how the service quality is since they're using carriers that already use other carriers hardware... I know the 2nd-tier carriers get 2nd-tier service... ie: If you have Verizon you get 1st priority vs. _____ 2nd-tier that uses Verizon hardware, and it appears Google uses 2nd-tier networks to make Fi, so they're now 3rd in line?! (Then again it seems they push Fi as being 'cheaper' since it uses WiFi -- but who's WiFi if not at home/on your own WiFi or a friends/family?!)

I'm interested in it for hopping country-country, specifically from USA (FL) to Bahamas and maybe Caribbean and not having to re-up BTC (not crypto) at various price points as it seems their prices vary month to month.

Also, are there any cheap cheap Google Phones to buy on the 2nd/used market to test it out?

 

[RyC]

Patrick had some opinions earlier this year: Taking the plunge with Google Project Fi - My Experiences from a 15+ year AT&T Customer

 

[T_Minus]

Thanks, somehow I missed that one when searching and I even replied HA !

 

[StammesOpfer]

T-Mobile and Sprint (Fi providers) don't use Verizon/AT&T hardware at least not primarily (they may roam onto it sometimes). The service has been fine for me but I live in a major city and would expect nothing less. T-Mobile's network has been getting really good lately and is only going to get better since they have acquired a lot of lower frequency spectrum which will help them penetrate areas that they previously have had poor signal.

The downside for me is psychological. Since I know I am paying for every MB. I tend not to stream music or watch a video even if it may be minimally more. I am thinking about going back to Cricket(AT&T) just so that I am not thinking about it.

For a phone Nexus 6 and newer. I run a Nexus 6P. Also if you are ok with just T-mobile's network (in the US) and can borrow a Nexus for a few minutes you can setup service on a Nexus device and then switch the SIM to a different phone and everything else will still work just not carrier hopping.

 

[hweisheimer]

Basically, what Stammes said.

I've been on Fi since I got my Nexus 6P (year and a half, I guess?). Some things I like about it:

• The fine-grained, metered billing - I typically use 1-2GB, so it's cheap. I don't have to juggle plans if I have a heavy month.
• Google Voice features, like "Visual Voicemail" (and transcriptions) out of the box
• Data-Only SIMs! Stick one in an old phone or tablet, IoT device (like Particle Electron), etc - as long as you don't need voice/SMS you're golden. I believe they only work on the TMobile network, though.
• No extra fee for hotspot
• I can cross the border (to Canada) and not worry about anything. SMS/Voice costs change, but data is exactly the same. On a recent trip, I was literally the only person in the extended family that didn't have airplane mode on (they're all on Verizon).
• Wifi assistant is pretty neat (automatic VPN on known-good public wifi to save on cell data)

The suck:

• You will start obsessing over data usage. Let's just say that my Spotify habits have changed a lot
• Network coverage can be an issue at times, but in in metro/interstate areas it's fine. I really liked Cricket because it was reasonably priced and used AT&T (it's my fallback option).
• Device variety/support. I'm considering moving to iOS, and it sucks that I would have to port the number. On the Android side, it's better than it used to be, now that there are a few generations of devices supported. It sounds like some third party devices (like the Moto X4) may get access soon.

 

[cactus]

• Wifi assistant is pretty neat (automatic VPN on known-good public wifi to save on cell data)

This works on my Nexus device on ATT also. I have PIA and it is kind of funny, Google tells me PIA might be monitoring my traffic, does that imply Google is not? lol

 

[hweisheimer]

This works on my Nexus device on ATT also. I have PIA and it is kind of funny, Google tells me PIA might be monitoring my traffic, does that imply Google is not? lol

Yeah, no kidding! I love PIA, but haven't used it on my mobile devices. Curious how the Android app works now. I'm used to seeing the monitoring warning for user-added certificates when using intercepting proxies with mobile apps, but I would have hoped a VPN app would fare better! I do recall a recent article about abusive VPN apps though - maybe this is to blame?