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 27, 2015, 8:46 am
#91
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 102
boingo in twin cities area of MN is almost useless. I connect to xfinity automagically but dont recall connecting to boingo at all. I have downloaded the boingo app, they said it's needed to verify and auto connect but when I did connect at an airport I just entered my credentials on their splash page.
Oct 28, 2015, 12:20 pm
#92
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: DAB
Programs: DL PM UA PSilver Marriott Lifetime Plat, AMEX Platinum, Avis PC, UA MPPPlus
Posts: 961
I'm running the Boingo app on my phone, along with Fi. When I stop somewhere there's a Boingo hotspot, I will get a pop up message on the phone telling me there's a hotspot there, and to Tap to Login.
So there's a hotspot at McDonald's, and if I go through the drive through, the app will see it. If I don't touch my phone until I get home, I still have the message telling me there's a hotspot, but by then I'm out of range. It can be confusing but works OK if you are staying put in the area of the hotspot and notice when the notification first appears.
So there's a hotspot at McDonald's, and if I go through the drive through, the app will see it. If I don't touch my phone until I get home, I still have the message telling me there's a hotspot, but by then I'm out of range. It can be confusing but works OK if you are staying put in the area of the hotspot and notice when the notification first appears.
Oct 29, 2015, 2:14 pm
#93
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,531
With the app you sign-in once with your boingo login and password. From them on in, it's already set. It's not completely seamless for reasons mentioned before, but it's not terrible.
Nov 4, 2015, 10:46 pm
#94
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Western US
Programs: WN CP, WN A-List Preferred, AS MVPG 75k, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 554
Has anyone used Fi service in Mainland China yet? If so was the use of a VPN on your phone necessary to access data/Gmail/GMaps/etc?
Nov 9, 2015, 1:18 am
#95
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Western US
Programs: WN CP, WN A-List Preferred, AS MVPG 75k, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 554
Update: In regards to my previous post, Fi service works fine when in China without a VPN. Firewall is not an issue, Google homepage popped up while I was standing in the terminal. It is slow though, and sometimes apps will crash.
Nov 10, 2015, 12:10 pm
#96
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: AA-GLD
Posts: 27
Great thank you. I will be doing this in about a week and half.
Nov 16, 2015, 12:57 pm
#97
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: IAD
Programs: United Premier Gold, *wood Gold
Posts: 39
So just upgraded to the 6P but came across an interesting issue. Ordered the new phone via Google Fi and received the phone. Installed the SIM from my Nexus 6 and told that I needed a new SIM card. Spoke with Google who confirmed the SIM from my Nexus 6 would not fully work with the 6P. Phone didn't ship with a new SIM so had to get one overnight.
Nov 27, 2015, 9:00 am
#98
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LGA - JFK
Programs: UA, AA, DL, B6, CX, KE, Latitude, VIFP, Crown & Anchor, etc.
Posts: 2,589
Google 5X Black Fri. Sale @$299 16GB >> $349 for 32GB
Anyone with feedback & real world experience on the new 5X while traveling abroad ?
Heads-up if shopping/thinking of getting one of the latest Google smartphone, the 5X is available for as low as $299 with the 16GB model, choice of 3 colors & free shipping - for extra $50 or $349, the 32GB is a reasonably priced - especially with Project Fi.
Chromecast (2015 - newer model) is 2 of $50, reg. price @ $35 each. Happy online shoppping. (P.S. These prices are valid thru next Monday per online info)
Heads-up if shopping/thinking of getting one of the latest Google smartphone, the 5X is available for as low as $299 with the 16GB model, choice of 3 colors & free shipping - for extra $50 or $349, the 32GB is a reasonably priced - especially with Project Fi.
Chromecast (2015 - newer model) is 2 of $50, reg. price @ $35 each. Happy online shoppping. (P.S. These prices are valid thru next Monday per online info)
Last edited by Letitride3c; Nov 27, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Nov 29, 2015, 9:31 am
#99
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,655
Two notes:
* I installed Fi Spy a couple weeks ago, and when traveling to Montreal and Quebec City this week, changed the provider preferences to Auto/Auto/Auto (from T-Mobile/Sprint/Auto). That was apparently the wrong answer, though it didn't dawn on me until the day we were leaving, because I'd lose my data connection every time I moved from WIFI to cell tower. I guess I should just leave it as is on future trips out of the country.
* Did anyone else get a Christmas present from Google in the last few days? I won't give away the surprise, but thought it was a nice gesture.
* I installed Fi Spy a couple weeks ago, and when traveling to Montreal and Quebec City this week, changed the provider preferences to Auto/Auto/Auto (from T-Mobile/Sprint/Auto). That was apparently the wrong answer, though it didn't dawn on me until the day we were leaving, because I'd lose my data connection every time I moved from WIFI to cell tower. I guess I should just leave it as is on future trips out of the country.
* Did anyone else get a Christmas present from Google in the last few days? I won't give away the surprise, but thought it was a nice gesture.
Nov 30, 2015, 9:17 pm
#100
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, BA Silver, AC, AF/KL, AV, VS | Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 459
I signed up for Project Fi a few weeks ago (ordered the 6P - love it) and had a slight hiccup porting my number on-line so I needed to speak to a tech person but it was all sorted in less than 5 minutes. This is week three and service has been hassle-free so far. I had to make one international call (to the American Airlines desk in Australia) and 12 minutes cost 24⍧.
I was most excited for the international coverage. I took a quick trip to London and Stockholm last week and can report the following:
* In London I noticed either the LTE or 3G symbol but speeds always seemed to be 3G.
* In Stockholm I saw either an H or an E next to the signal meter and speeds seemed to also be 3G.
Google Maps took maybe 10 seconds to load in Satellite mode so not bad (to me). Transit apps worked as needed. Texts went through with no problems and I even received a phone call that came through via WiFi (it reads so on the caller ID) while I was at the hotel.
So I'm really pleased switching over!
I was most excited for the international coverage. I took a quick trip to London and Stockholm last week and can report the following:
* In London I noticed either the LTE or 3G symbol but speeds always seemed to be 3G.
* In Stockholm I saw either an H or an E next to the signal meter and speeds seemed to also be 3G.
Google Maps took maybe 10 seconds to load in Satellite mode so not bad (to me). Transit apps worked as needed. Texts went through with no problems and I even received a phone call that came through via WiFi (it reads so on the caller ID) while I was at the hotel.
So I'm really pleased switching over!
Nov 30, 2015, 11:44 pm
#102
Join Date: May 2013
Location: USA
Programs: AA Plt Pro, UA Silver, DL, QF; HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 128
In my experience, it's still throttled, but about twice as fast -- 256kbps as opposed to 128 on T-Mo IIRC.
Functionally it is much more useable in my opinion. I would get frustrated sometimes waiting on the T-Mo connection. The Fi connection won't be confused for LTE, but it is useable.
Functionally it is much more useable in my opinion. I would get frustrated sometimes waiting on the T-Mo connection. The Fi connection won't be confused for LTE, but it is useable.
Dec 1, 2015, 11:38 am
#104
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,655
Dec 1, 2015, 8:52 pm
#105
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, BA Silver, AC, AF/KL, AV, VS | Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 459