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-   -   Google Fi: Anyone care to post their experience? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/1688964-google-fi-anyone-care-post-their-experience.html)

Polytonic Jul 6, 2023 10:27 am


Originally Posted by Stgermainparis (Post 35390233)
Thanks. When I go to Cellular there is no SIMs option. Only sim pin or add sim. I did turn off automatic. Seems to be working now but was absolutely maddening. And no clue which step or process achieved it. Tried the stuff on here, online elsewhere, and via chat with Fi. 😩

If I remember correctly, if you don't have a second SIM or eSIM, it would just show the name of the cellular plan, e.g. T-Mobile.

Glad to hear you got it working though. For what it's worth, I also had a lot of issues on TIM in Italy where I'd have data, then suddenly lose data despite having full signal. I chalked it up to network congestion in Rome, but who really knows.

Stgermainparis Jul 6, 2023 5:20 pm


Originally Posted by Polytonic (Post 35391198)
If I remember correctly, if you don't have a second SIM or eSIM, it would just show the name of the cellular plan, e.g. T-Mobile.

Glad to hear you got it working though. For what it's worth, I also had a lot of issues on TIM in Italy where I'd have data, then suddenly lose data despite having full signal. I chalked it up to network congestion in Rome, but who really knows.

It’s intensely frustrating. Bc you can’t plan for this and you only discover the problem when you need there not to be a problem.

Polytonic Jul 6, 2023 5:49 pm


Originally Posted by Stgermainparis (Post 35392198)
It’s intensely frustrating. Bc you can’t plan for this and you only discover the problem when you need there not to be a problem.

Yeah, the user experience could be a little better. Unfortunately I'm not sure who is responsible for addressing the underlying issues. I suspect it's most likely European telecoms. Thankfully once you learn the quirks, you can at least work around the issue.

Dubai Stu Jul 8, 2023 9:55 am


Originally Posted by Polytonic (Post 35391198)
If I remember correctly, if you don't have a second SIM or eSIM, it would just show the name of the cellular plan, e.g. T-Mobile.

Glad to hear you got it working though. For what it's worth, I also had a lot of issues on TIM in Italy where I'd have data, then suddenly lose data despite having full signal. I chalked it up to network congestion in Rome, but who really knows.

What type of phone do you have? The reason why I am asking is because a Fi Certified phone uses 3 UK's roaming backend where as an phone like an iPhone would use TMobile's roaming agreements.

Polytonic Jul 8, 2023 11:10 am


Originally Posted by Dubai Stu (Post 35396064)
What type of phone do you have? The reason why I am asking is because a Fi Certified phone uses 3 UK's roaming backend where as an phone like an iPhone would use TMobile's roaming agreements.

I have an iPhone 13 Pro running dual SIMs (Google Fi + T-Mobile). You should be able to access Fi's local roaming partners on an iPhone by turning off automatic network selection and selecting the desired network. The list may or may not overlap with the T-Mobile list depending on local roaming agreements (for example, my two data plans are often split across Bell/Rogers in Canada).

Stgermainparis Jul 8, 2023 4:33 pm

Not sure this is still about my issue, but we have iPhones. Tried manual network selection and it didn’t work.

TravelinSperry Jul 10, 2023 8:22 pm

Just an fyi - friends phone had data shut off while on extended traveling. Upon return to the US - phones data was switched back on immediately (no waiting, no calling required).

serpens Jul 11, 2023 8:14 am


Originally Posted by TravelinSperry (Post 35402814)
[...] extended traveling. [...]

Thanks for that data point. Could you quantify extended traveling? In particular, could you specify the number days at which data was shut off?

Polytonic Jul 11, 2023 9:33 am


Originally Posted by serpens (Post 35403899)
Thanks for that data point. Could you quantify extended traveling? In particular, could you specify the number days at which data was shut off?

It's roughly 90 days from some data points on reddit and elsewhere online.

TravelinSperry Jul 11, 2023 1:45 pm


Originally Posted by serpens (Post 35403899)
Thanks for that data point. Could you quantify extended traveling? In particular, could you specify the number days at which data was shut off?

Traveling for 9 months outside US... data shut off after 90 days (so off for ~6 mos). Worked when plane landed in US

Stgermainparis Jul 12, 2023 12:45 pm


Originally Posted by serpens (Post 35403899)
Thanks for that data point. Could you quantify extended traveling? In particular, could you specify the number days at which data was shut off?

My kid who lives in Europe forgot to pause his service when he moved there. Data was suspended exactly 90 days after arrival. He got a notice 30 days before the suspension. He was back in the US for two weeks in December and used Google Fi but it was still suspended for international use. I’m wondering at what point do they lift the suspension. He doesn’t need it now (still living in Europe) but I am curious.

Stgermainparis Jul 14, 2023 1:17 am

Another of my kids has now joined us in Europe. Can’t get his Google Fi either. Tried all the fixes but nada. His seems to be different though, so I’m hoping y’all may be able to help. His iphone says Google Fi, not LTE or whatever. We can select the local network but it doesn’t connect. I’m going to search online some more but any ideas on why it’s stuck on Fi and how to unstick it?

pseudoswede Aug 2, 2023 10:54 am

If someone can confirm...


Originally Posted by Google Fi's website
Important: The switch from Simply Unlimited to Unlimited Plus happens immediately. All other changes to your Fi billing plan take effect at the start of your next billing cycle.



Let's say my billing cycle starts on the 1st of every month. For four lines, that means $80/mo for Simply Unlimited and $160 for Unlimited Plus.

On June 15th, I switch from Simply Unlimited to Unlimited Plus and fly to Europe. Therefore, for the month of June, my bill will be $120 (50% Simply Unlimited and 50% Unlimited Plus), correct? On July 10, I fly back from Europe and switch back to Simply Unlimited. My July bill will be $160, and then my August bill will be back to $80. Does that sound correct?

Stgermainparis Aug 2, 2023 12:32 pm


Originally Posted by pseudoswede (Post 35465116)
If someone can confirm...



Let's say my billing cycle starts on the 1st of every month. For four lines, that means $80/mo for Simply Unlimited and $160 for Unlimited Plus.

On June 15th, I switch from Simply Unlimited to Unlimited Plus and fly to Europe. Therefore, for the month of June, my bill will be $120 (50% Simply Unlimited and 50% Unlimited Plus), correct? On July 10, I fly back from Europe and switch back to Simply Unlimited. My July bill will be $160, and then my August bill will be back to $80. Does that sound correct?

Yes that sounds correct. We just did the exact same thing and it went down that way.

boerne Aug 15, 2023 5:09 am

Maun Botswana
 
no signal at the Maun airport but T mobile connects as usual.


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