Last edit by: Zorak
Which countries are supported?
https://support.google.com/fi/answer...intl_countries
Note that in some locations Hangouts (and Gmail) are not available (e.g., China, Russia, Thailand, South Korea, Mexico, Argentina, and more: see link below for full list of excluded countries), so you will need a VPN to access them (or to make VOIP calls via Hangouts Dialer)
https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/3205646
Exceptions:
Listed, but no/spotty service:
Not listed, *did* have service
1- Reboot phone
2- Toggle "airplane mode" on/off. Wait five seconds after toggling off (it resets phone modem).
3- Try manually connecting to each available network (rather than using the auto select feature).
4- Toggle down from 4g to 3g (removing the recommended 4g option) and then try manually connecting to each available network.
5- Toggle down from 3g to 2g and then try manually connecting to each available network.
https://support.google.com/fi/answer...intl_countries
Note that in some locations Hangouts (and Gmail) are not available (e.g., China, Russia, Thailand, South Korea, Mexico, Argentina, and more: see link below for full list of excluded countries), so you will need a VPN to access them (or to make VOIP calls via Hangouts Dialer)
https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/3205646
Exceptions:
Listed, but no/spotty service:
- Ukraine (Aug 2018) - no service, all providers listed as "forbidden". Post #660
- Alaska (Jul 2018) -- had voice service, but inconsistent/spotty data (try forcing Sprint)
- Peru (Sep 2016) post 341, 360
- Grand Cayman Island (Jan 2018) post 547
Not listed, *did* have service
Belize (Jan 2018) post 547Belize now appears on the "supported" international list
1- Reboot phone
2- Toggle "airplane mode" on/off. Wait five seconds after toggling off (it resets phone modem).
3- Try manually connecting to each available network (rather than using the auto select feature).
4- Toggle down from 4g to 3g (removing the recommended 4g option) and then try manually connecting to each available network.
5- Toggle down from 3g to 2g and then try manually connecting to each available network.
Google Fi: Anyone care to post their experience?
#181
Join Date: May 2013
Location: USA
Programs: AA Plt Pro, UA Silver, DL, QF; HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 127
I use it, and it's decent for what it is, fairly slow but reliable data usable for email, maps, and basic web seraches -- although I must say Verizon has gotten much more competitive on data since November '15 with TravelPass ($10 a day for rather fast data in many countries).
#182
Join Date: May 2013
Location: USA
Programs: AA Plt Pro, UA Silver, DL, QF; HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 127
Neither -- it's a normal prepaid phone plan, with a selected # of GB on a data plan per month (at $10/GB); whatever you don't use is credited back to you the next month. It's not really for one time use for travel as it has a nominal $20/month plus taxes charge for the unlimited calling/text messaging part of the plan, although I suppose you could cancel that or suspend it between trips...
#183
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LGA - JFK
Programs: UA, AA, DL, B6, CX, KE, Latitude, VIFP, Crown & Anchor, etc.
Posts: 2,589
Have both the Fi Sim activated on Nexus 6 for DW, loved it. My Nexus 5X still on T-Mobile as I sometimes use/need GB of data that can get expensive.
Just did a 7 day Bermuda cruise & use it @ 3G/HSPA speed, works great - not fast but very functional ... as if we're in the Caribbean islands, with the Welcome to Jamaica message once out of airplane mode. Total of about $3 dollars for 5 minutes of cellular calls at 20 cents/min & 200 MB data for $2 - can't beat those int'l pricing as "extra" services ... using less "home" data so it will likely be a wash on billing/rebate scheme.
Data sim associated with voice account was on unlocked iPad Mini, moved it to the Nexus 5X as a WiFi only device, took a reboot to get it working to use for Hangouts, Maps & web browsing all over the island. With no monthly maintenance fees, the data sim add-on is great, only paid for what's used when needed.
Account can be suspended for vacation/travel as necessary - self service options once logged into the account, live 24/7 help as needed (seldom)
P.S. Mods might want to merge this to the "main" ongoing Google Fi discussion.
Just did a 7 day Bermuda cruise & use it @ 3G/HSPA speed, works great - not fast but very functional ... as if we're in the Caribbean islands, with the Welcome to Jamaica message once out of airplane mode. Total of about $3 dollars for 5 minutes of cellular calls at 20 cents/min & 200 MB data for $2 - can't beat those int'l pricing as "extra" services ... using less "home" data so it will likely be a wash on billing/rebate scheme.
Data sim associated with voice account was on unlocked iPad Mini, moved it to the Nexus 5X as a WiFi only device, took a reboot to get it working to use for Hangouts, Maps & web browsing all over the island. With no monthly maintenance fees, the data sim add-on is great, only paid for what's used when needed.
Account can be suspended for vacation/travel as necessary - self service options once logged into the account, live 24/7 help as needed (seldom)
P.S. Mods might want to merge this to the "main" ongoing Google Fi discussion.
#184
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
I use it, and it's decent for what it is, fairly slow but reliable data usable for email, maps, and basic web seraches -- although I must say Verizon has gotten much more competitive on data since November '15 with TravelPass ($10 a day for rather fast data in many countries).
#185
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, SPG Platnum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1
Project Fi is fantastic for traveling at $10/gb you can call anywhere and the roaming charges are pretty affordable. I pair my data with rebtel when I want to make any calls outside US and it works really well for me. I first check if they have it available at your destination.
you can check the rates here.
https://fi.google.com/about/rates/
you can check the rates here.
https://fi.google.com/about/rates/
#187
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LGA - JFK
Programs: UA, AA, DL, B6, CX, KE, Latitude, VIFP, Crown & Anchor, etc.
Posts: 2,589
You need a Nexus 6, 6P or 5X to initially setup the voice/data sim for activation - it is possible to move that nano Sim to another device. But, if you do succeed in making it work on another Android - some functions will not work (i.e. auto-switching/sensing networks to be connected to for use, and, most likely - stay on T-Mo's network & not Sprint.) Some users reported that they can manually force a switching for better coverage from T-Mo to Sprint, or vice versa.
If you do this, you are on own own as Fi Support would be unable to assist or help troubleshoot.
If you do this, you are on own own as Fi Support would be unable to assist or help troubleshoot.
#188
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SEA or BGR, Lower Earth Orbit
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 17,216
US Cellular was just added as an official partner. This will have a huge impact on coverage, and rural availability. (Well, where they have coverage anyway.)
https://android.googleblog.com/2016/...th-us.html?m=1
https://android.googleblog.com/2016/...th-us.html?m=1
#190
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,663
Project Fi Boosts international data speeds
https://android.googleblog.com/2016/...igh-speed.html
Added 3 as a network and say they increased speeds. I don't go to Europe until September but I will report back. Probably going to 3G/HSPA speeds which would be great.
Added 3 as a network and say they increased speeds. I don't go to Europe until September but I will report back. Probably going to 3G/HSPA speeds which would be great.
#191
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: EWR-SEA-IAD
Programs: UA 1P MM, AS MVP G*, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 977
https://android.googleblog.com/2016/...igh-speed.html
Added 3 as a network and say they increased speeds. I don't go to Europe until September but I will report back. Probably going to 3G/HSPA speeds which would be great.
Added 3 as a network and say they increased speeds. I don't go to Europe until September but I will report back. Probably going to 3G/HSPA speeds which would be great.
#193
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 188
#194
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,943
I've been using Project Fi lately and have been surprisingly happy with it. It's worked like a charm in Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Argentina, France, Canada and the Netherlands for me over the last few months. I activated my SIM in an old Nexus 6, but use it installed in my unlocked iPhone 6 Plus without any issues.
Typically, the device associates to the local network with full LTE coverage, but data rates were throttled to 256Kbps. Now that the Three announcement comes with a lifting of that throttling cap, it will be even better!
Typically, the device associates to the local network with full LTE coverage, but data rates were throttled to 256Kbps. Now that the Three announcement comes with a lifting of that throttling cap, it will be even better!
#195
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Detroit; Formerly Dubai
Posts: 3,652
I was looking at the new roaming arrangements and note Bermuda is no longer there.
Just got mine yesterday too. Only made two calls so far and it works great..
Been spending most of my time setting up the various apps and stuff.
I'll be trying out the international roaming feature in a few weeks. I'll report back then. My wife will be on T-Mobile free international roaming plan, so I'll be able to compare.
Jeff
Been spending most of my time setting up the various apps and stuff.
I'll be trying out the international roaming feature in a few weeks. I'll report back then. My wife will be on T-Mobile free international roaming plan, so I'll be able to compare.
Jeff