Sep 3, 2017, 5:37 am
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?
Oct 6, 2016, 8:56 pm
#331
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,727
Is there ANY reason to stay with T-mobile?
I currently pay $58 with Tmo (including tax) for 1G of high speed data. The same would cost ~$35 with Fi, plus I get high speed overseas (I have to pay for it, but I'm happy to).
Tmo's overseas data is convenient - when it works. Speed is usually terrible.
I wonder if Fi's domestic coverage is better or worse than Tmo's. I would think while it combines 3 carriers' coverage, it probably has lower priority on each one. Tmo is terrible when driving between cities.
I currently pay $58 with Tmo (including tax) for 1G of high speed data. The same would cost ~$35 with Fi, plus I get high speed overseas (I have to pay for it, but I'm happy to).
Tmo's overseas data is convenient - when it works. Speed is usually terrible.
I wonder if Fi's domestic coverage is better or worse than Tmo's. I would think while it combines 3 carriers' coverage, it probably has lower priority on each one. Tmo is terrible when driving between cities.
Oct 7, 2016, 12:35 am
#332
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
Is there ANY reason to stay with T-mobile?
I currently pay $58 with Tmo (including tax) for 1G of high speed data. The same would cost ~$35 with Fi, plus I get high speed overseas (I have to pay for it, but I'm happy to).
Tmo's overseas data is convenient - when it works. Speed is usually terrible.
I wonder if Fi's domestic coverage is better or worse than Tmo's. I would think while it combines 3 carriers' coverage, it probably has lower priority on each one. Tmo is terrible when driving between cities.
I currently pay $58 with Tmo (including tax) for 1G of high speed data. The same would cost ~$35 with Fi, plus I get high speed overseas (I have to pay for it, but I'm happy to).
Tmo's overseas data is convenient - when it works. Speed is usually terrible.
I wonder if Fi's domestic coverage is better or worse than Tmo's. I would think while it combines 3 carriers' coverage, it probably has lower priority on each one. Tmo is terrible when driving between cities.
Oct 7, 2016, 7:59 am
#333
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,786
Is there ANY reason to stay with T-mobile?
I currently pay $58 with Tmo (including tax) for 1G of high speed data. The same would cost ~$35 with Fi, plus I get high speed overseas (I have to pay for it, but I'm happy to).
Tmo's overseas data is convenient - when it works. Speed is usually terrible.
I wonder if Fi's domestic coverage is better or worse than Tmo's. I would think while it combines 3 carriers' coverage, it probably has lower priority on each one. Tmo is terrible when driving between cities.
I currently pay $58 with Tmo (including tax) for 1G of high speed data. The same would cost ~$35 with Fi, plus I get high speed overseas (I have to pay for it, but I'm happy to).
Tmo's overseas data is convenient - when it works. Speed is usually terrible.
I wonder if Fi's domestic coverage is better or worse than Tmo's. I would think while it combines 3 carriers' coverage, it probably has lower priority on each one. Tmo is terrible when driving between cities.
Oct 7, 2016, 8:29 am
#334
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEL
Posts: 1,057
Is there ANY reason to stay with T-mobile?
I currently pay $58 with Tmo (including tax) for 1G of high speed data. The same would cost ~$35 with Fi, plus I get high speed overseas (I have to pay for it, but I'm happy to).
Tmo's overseas data is convenient - when it works. Speed is usually terrible.
I wonder if Fi's domestic coverage is better or worse than Tmo's. I would think while it combines 3 carriers' coverage, it probably has lower priority on each one. Tmo is terrible when driving between cities.
I currently pay $58 with Tmo (including tax) for 1G of high speed data. The same would cost ~$35 with Fi, plus I get high speed overseas (I have to pay for it, but I'm happy to).
Tmo's overseas data is convenient - when it works. Speed is usually terrible.
I wonder if Fi's domestic coverage is better or worse than Tmo's. I would think while it combines 3 carriers' coverage, it probably has lower priority on each one. Tmo is terrible when driving between cities.
Fi allegedly has the same priority as postpaid on all three of its carriers. It definitely has better coverage than T-Mobile alone when you get out of town. The only issue I had is that it would occasionally sit on a crappy Sprint signal when there was perfectly good, fast T-Mobile LTE available. Using an app like Signal Spy, you can kick it over to whichever network manually when necessary.
Oct 7, 2016, 9:49 am
#335
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
Not for that price there isn't any reason to stay with T-Mo.
Fi allegedly has the same priority as postpaid on all three of its carriers. It definitely has better coverage than T-Mobile alone when you get out of town. The only issue I had is that it would occasionally sit on a crappy Sprint signal when there was perfectly good, fast T-Mobile LTE available. Using an app like Signal Spy, you can kick it over to whichever network manually when necessary.
Fi allegedly has the same priority as postpaid on all three of its carriers. It definitely has better coverage than T-Mobile alone when you get out of town. The only issue I had is that it would occasionally sit on a crappy Sprint signal when there was perfectly good, fast T-Mobile LTE available. Using an app like Signal Spy, you can kick it over to whichever network manually when necessary.
Oct 8, 2016, 8:17 am
#336
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,727
thanks for the data points.
Is it possible buy a phone from Fi without activating service? I want the 6P and I must get it from Fi in order to qualify for WF cell phone insurance's requirement of getting it directly from "a cellular service provider’s retail or Internet store".
EDIT - could I: order phone and service from Fi (choose to transfer # from my current carrier), but before I turn on the phone, switch to my current carrier (Tmo)'s SIM card, then Fi service will never be activated, and I won't be charged for any Fi service. Would that work?
Is it possible buy a phone from Fi without activating service? I want the 6P and I must get it from Fi in order to qualify for WF cell phone insurance's requirement of getting it directly from "a cellular service provider’s retail or Internet store".
EDIT - could I: order phone and service from Fi (choose to transfer # from my current carrier), but before I turn on the phone, switch to my current carrier (Tmo)'s SIM card, then Fi service will never be activated, and I won't be charged for any Fi service. Would that work?
Last edited by italdesign; Oct 8, 2016 at 8:35 am
Oct 8, 2016, 9:38 am
#337
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
thanks for the data points.
Is it possible buy a phone from Fi without activating service? I want the 6P and I must get it from Fi in order to qualify for WF cell phone insurance's requirement of getting it directly from "a cellular service provider’s retail or Internet store".
EDIT - could I: order phone and service from Fi (choose to transfer # from my current carrier), but before I turn on the phone, switch to my current carrier (Tmo)'s SIM card, then Fi service will never be activated, and I won't be charged for any Fi service. Would that work?
Is it possible buy a phone from Fi without activating service? I want the 6P and I must get it from Fi in order to qualify for WF cell phone insurance's requirement of getting it directly from "a cellular service provider’s retail or Internet store".
EDIT - could I: order phone and service from Fi (choose to transfer # from my current carrier), but before I turn on the phone, switch to my current carrier (Tmo)'s SIM card, then Fi service will never be activated, and I won't be charged for any Fi service. Would that work?
Oct 9, 2016, 9:11 am
#339
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
Oct 10, 2016, 3:38 pm
#340
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K, AA ExecPlat
Posts: 820
There really isn't one since you need one of the supported Android devices in order to activate your service. I just chalked it up as the cost of using the service and bought a 5X that just sits mostly unused.
Oct 11, 2016, 10:51 am
#341
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,947
So far I have used Fi to roam internationally twice:
4 days in Victoria, BC: worked fine
Peru: effectively did not work. ~10 days the majority of which was in Lima or Cusco and could never get it to "hold" a data connection. When coming out of airplane mode, I would get the LTE indicator (Nexus 6P) and usable data for about 30-90 seconds, then data dropped out and the service indicator changed to a hollow triangle. I could toggle airplane mode on/off again and get another 30-90 seconds, but ANGTFT.
Exacerbating this was the fact that hotel wifi seemed utterly crappy even in nicer hotels, individual SSIDs per floor that regularly cut in and out, and poor throughput (especially upload bandwidth). Had much better luck with wifi in cafes/restaurants.
The Reddit results in a Google search for "google fi peru" suggest this may be a problem with the underlying T-Mobile connectivity in Peru.
Overall I'm pretty happy with Fi though, paying much less than I was previously and that was already a heavily-discounted Sprint employee-rate plan from a friend-of-a-friend.
4 days in Victoria, BC: worked fine
Peru: effectively did not work. ~10 days the majority of which was in Lima or Cusco and could never get it to "hold" a data connection. When coming out of airplane mode, I would get the LTE indicator (Nexus 6P) and usable data for about 30-90 seconds, then data dropped out and the service indicator changed to a hollow triangle. I could toggle airplane mode on/off again and get another 30-90 seconds, but ANGTFT.
Exacerbating this was the fact that hotel wifi seemed utterly crappy even in nicer hotels, individual SSIDs per floor that regularly cut in and out, and poor throughput (especially upload bandwidth). Had much better luck with wifi in cafes/restaurants.
The Reddit results in a Google search for "google fi peru" suggest this may be a problem with the underlying T-Mobile connectivity in Peru.
Overall I'm pretty happy with Fi though, paying much less than I was previously and that was already a heavily-discounted Sprint employee-rate plan from a friend-of-a-friend.
Oct 11, 2016, 12:39 pm
#343
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
With Project Fi, wireless service is simple and easy -- you get seamless access to three 4G LTE networks, use data abroad at no extra cost, and you send and receive texts and calls across multiple devices. Last week we expanded our device options to include Google’s new Pixel phones, and today we’re excited to introduce Project Fi’s group plan: an easy way to share Project Fi with the people who matter most to you.
With Project Fi’s group plan, you can now have up to six people on one plan, making it easier to pay your bill, track data usage, and manage settings for everyone, all from one place. Project Fi’s group plan comes with all the features you know and love, along with a couple extras.
...
With Project Fi’s group plan, you can now have up to six people on one plan, making it easier to pay your bill, track data usage, and manage settings for everyone, all from one place. Project Fi’s group plan comes with all the features you know and love, along with a couple extras.
...
Oct 11, 2016, 1:25 pm
#344
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
If they really push this Pixel thing, including through Verizon and maybe other carriers, how long will they stick with Fi?
Hope it doesn't turn into one of their other projects that they abandon or half-... like Google Fiber.
Hope it doesn't turn into one of their other projects that they abandon or half-... like Google Fiber.
Oct 12, 2016, 1:47 pm
#345
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New York
Programs: BAEC Silver, &c.
Posts: 446
I thought I'd chime in as a happy Fi customer, who falls on the lower end of cell phone savviness (prior to Fi, I was a long-time customer of Virgin Mobile, which meant I had both a crummy phone and network.) I've never bothered to root a phone, and I've merrily traveled internationally without a working cell phone at all.
So, that said, Fi is great. I'm very pleased with the Nexus 5X. My main concern, which has been completely unwarranted, was battery life. I often don't need to charge it in the evenings. I love the lack of various carrier bloatware.I've had no issues with the network in the U.S. I have upcoming travel to South America and Europe, so hope all goes smoothly there (but if not, well, I'm used to not having a working phone anyway.) My bill is $10 less than with Virgin Mobile, which was already cheap to begin with, as I used a whopping 0.2GB of data last month, as I'm almost always near wifi.
In other words, I've had the sense the Fi was maybe being marketed to a more tech-oriented or interested consumer. But I'm very pleased and would happily recommend it to befuddled or cheapskate friends. So I hope Google doesn't abandon it...
So, that said, Fi is great. I'm very pleased with the Nexus 5X. My main concern, which has been completely unwarranted, was battery life. I often don't need to charge it in the evenings. I love the lack of various carrier bloatware.I've had no issues with the network in the U.S. I have upcoming travel to South America and Europe, so hope all goes smoothly there (but if not, well, I'm used to not having a working phone anyway.) My bill is $10 less than with Virgin Mobile, which was already cheap to begin with, as I used a whopping 0.2GB of data last month, as I'm almost always near wifi.
In other words, I've had the sense the Fi was maybe being marketed to a more tech-oriented or interested consumer. But I'm very pleased and would happily recommend it to befuddled or cheapskate friends. So I hope Google doesn't abandon it...
Last edited by turnleftbrighteyes; Oct 12, 2016 at 1:48 pm Reason: flow