BTW, the carriers and probably Comcast and Charter collectively bid $90 billion for 3.7-3.9 GHz spectrum, which will be prime 5G midband real estate, smashing previous records.

It will cost billions more to actually deploy. Some carriers are probably going into debt to acquire these licenses.

A year from now, when they start deploying, cost pressures will probably causing pricing pressures.

Probably not as much as you think, assuming everyone actually rolls out the spectrum for customer use and not just leases it back to the existing carriers or something. After all, we effectively went from being a de facto two carrier country to three recently with the Sprint/T-Mobile deal and pricing hasn't gone up (though it's still too early); a fourth strong carrier (either Dish or someone else) would possibly even reduce pricing further.

Doesn't VZW and AT&T charge premiums for 5G access?

And their 5G network isn't as good as T-Mobile but wait until they turn on those midband towers.

If you hit the timing right, it’s way cheaper, I have 5 lines on magenta with multi screen Netflix, for 127 per month all in, I have two paid lines and 3 free lines, my previous fi plan was 192 for 4 lines, and another 15 or so for Netflix to compare apples to apples, so lets call it 75 dollars cheaper per month ( not including the 5th lines which was ported in from magic jack, so there is even more savings), now when I do travel, I buy a 50/mo high speed data pass, and the rest of the time I am saving money. I usually go once a year, 4-6 weeks at a time, otherwise I am home. I did not mind paying the premium for fi, and might even still be with them if I had all the perks of android, plus I have an enterprise account with google, so I did not qualify for google one for free and the lack of iPhone support was not helpful. So when I saw all the promos T-Mobile had last year, coupled with it would “just work” I jumped ship. I live out in the boonies, cell service not great, T-Mobile sent me a cell spot something or other, now I have full bars everywhere. During the pandemic made my office in the family room as it had the best cell service, but now with this magical devise I have moved back into my office and my wife is happy. Lots of love for T-Mobile at my house. YMMV but from somebody that jumped ship from Verizon to Fi and was thrilled, I am even more so now

The cheapest AT&T 5G service is the Unlimited Starter plan which is $30 + taxes per line for 5 lines. I have the Unlimited Elite which is $30 + taxes per line for 5 lines after FAN discounts. The cell equipment fees total $5.01 after iPhone promotion discounts are applied. My son uses 100GB each month. My wife and I use the 30GB hotspot.

I tested T Mobile and was not satisfied with the indoor reception which should change later this year or early next year. Verizon is spectrum constrained in my home market.

With no traveling outside of North America, Google Fi provides no benefit to me. Even prepaid plans provide coverage in Canada and Mexico with similar restrictions Fi for US primary usage.

I can't imagine anyone being worse than TMobile, but ATT probably fits the bill as it was their poor service that drove us to TMobile in the first place. I will say that having the TMobile 55+ package for $45/line for two lines including unlimited everything, tethering, 5G, inflight Wifi and Netflix is hard to beat as a total value, and it seems we can deal with some of the signal problems at home by using wifi calling on TMobile which was not an option with ATT. The problem I had with both ATT and Tmobile on my iPhone 7+ and now my 12 Pro Max, is the constant cutting in and out, signal drops, silent pauses etc. Both are/were bad, but ATT was marginally worse.

If I switched to the Fi service, I would still be on the TMobile network, but I would lose all the extra included features. Perhaps Verizon is a better signal, but our phones don't work on their network.

How do you add AT&T's 2GB passport service for $70? I went on my AT&T PrePaid and it's not under the "Add-Ons" menu. TIA.

Your iPhone 12 models will work on the Verizon network since CDMA is no longer required by Verizon.

Good point. The T&C's say that service is an add on for postpaid plans only.

Offer details

AT&T Passport®

Eligibility: Compatible device with domestic postpaid wireless service required.

Charges: One-time charge or monthly recurring charge applies on a per-device basis. One-time charge packages are valid for 30 days beginning on the chosen effective date, may cross 2 bill cycles, and expire automatically. Packages will not be prorated if canceled on or after the effective date. Packages canceled prior to the effective date will not incur the charge. Monthly recurring version of AT&T Passport package requires a 2-month minimum term commitment.

Countries: Includes talk, text, and data coverage in over 200 countries listed at att.com/globalcountries. Coverage not available in all areas. Countries and rates are subject to change without notice. Mexico & Canada: If you have a domestic plan that includes Mexico or Canada, usage in these countries will not diminish the Passport data allowance or bill Passport calling charges.

Data: Actual data speeds vary by device and location. If your domestic plan includes Stream Saver®, or reduces video streaming speed, the same will apply to your Passport package. Data overage: If you use all your Passport package data, we'll automatically add more data at a per GB overage rate found at att.com/passport. Monthly recurring package data allowance must be used in bill period provided or will be forfeited.

Talk: For phones only. Per-minute charge applies to all cellular calls dialed and accepted in Passport countries. Wi-Fi Calling: With Wi-Fi Calling, you can call back to the U.S. at no additional charge. Calls to other countries, including the country you’re in, are billed at the Passport per-minute rate.

Unlimited text: For phones only. Applies only to AT&T Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and not to other messaging services or applications that use data, such as iMessage. Unless you have a domestic plan that includes unlimited text, messages received will be charged at your domestic messaging rates.

International Day Pass®: For devices with an active AT&T Passport package and International Day Pass (IDP), IDP charges will apply in IDP countries and usage in IDP countries will not diminish the Passport data allowance or bill Passport calling charges. If you prefer to use Passport in an IDP country, you must remove IDP.

Pay-per-use rates: Apply when package expires, when traveling in countries not included in Passport, and/or when you have not added a package.

Service restrictions: International use aboard cruise ships and airlines is not included. Not available for wireless home phone services, connected vehicles, or connected devices. Pay-per-use international rates, found at att.com/ppurates, will apply.

General: Subject to Wireless Customer Agreement at att.com/wca or, for business and government customers, the applicable wireless service agreement. Availability, quality of coverage, and services while roaming are not guaranteed. Additional restrictions may apply.

2 GB for $70?

You really have to be allergic to popping in a prepaid SIM or maybe your device is locked.

Yeah there are MUUUCH better options out there. Things like Dent and Airalo for example are WAY cheaper. Of course they require an unlocked phone with eSim support. For travelers a dual-sim capable unlocked phone is crucial IMO.

The biggest problem with the AT&T passport isn't even the price... it is that once you go over your data allotment (easy to do) they don't cut you off or slow you down... If I recall, they start charging their obscene pay-as-you-go rates where are like $2000/gb. At least on their Day pass, you only have to worry about $10/day + tax... no coming home to a $2000+ bill.

AT&T will send warning texts for data usage and to upgrade the plan. I normally travel with an unlocked Motorola phone paired with a local sim and use WiFi calling for my US cell. Dual sim phones eliminates the need for a 2nd phone.

Don't do it
 

I moved three lines to Fi under the S21 pre-order promotion. Was supposed to get $120 for my old phone (I hate selling on eBay) and was to get 50% of the cost of the two S21s back in credits ($625 per phone).

Transition went smoothly and I liked the service (it's T-mobile). The first thing that went wrong was I never got a trade in kit. Contacted support who, after lengthy exchanges, told me this wasn't going to happen. They blamed a third party service, who was never disclosed in the sign up process.

Ok, fine, annoying but not major. Next problem was we returned one of the S21s. It was returned to Google four days after I received it, well within the 14 day return policy. Both policy and customer support told me that I'd see the refund in 14 days. 14 days go by and nothing. Another five go by and I contact support. Support says they have the phone, I'm entitled to a refund, but they can't explain why they haven't credited it back. I tell them that leaves me with no choice but to reverse the charge for that phone. I do that, which causes Google to respond by freezing my Google Pay account. This means I can't pay my Fi bill, can't purchase apps, or buy any Google services. Super.

Contact support, who is of no help in fixing either problem. Finally, Pay tells me to withdraw the reversal to get the Pay account reinstated. I do that. Nothing happens. Finally, I pull the executive email trick. As a result, have a call with a nice guy who's going to help me fix it. Sends me to a specialist. Not once, but three times. Nothing ever gets done. Account still frozen, no credit for returned phone.

Weeks of this nonsense and I finally left Fi about 30 days after I started. Left with no other choice, I'm in the middle of suing Google. So, in short, out $1,300, had to switch service, frozen Google Pay account, and a lawsuit.

Google Pay doesn't work under the gmail you used to set up Fi. What if you set up Google Pay under another gmail? Or is Google blocking you by knowing your credit card numbers? You'd lose all the apps you paid for previously, but at least you can start over.

When I was last a Fi member I ported my # over to them. However, I'm now considering getting a second # and phone. When I sign up for Fi can I get a new number? Does that # have to be where my address is? Or can the area code be anywhere I choose?