I think Fi does what you’re looking for, with the caveat that it is expensive. I’m willing to eat the cost partially because my company reimburses it, and because the convenience factor of “it just works” is overwhelmingly better than the alternatives. In my experience, Fi permits tethering with both eSIM and physical SIM. I haven’t tested tethering internationally, but I can confirm it works domestically without any issues (via iPhone 13 Pro + eSIM).

I’ve also got a physical (data-only) SIM in my iPad Pro for data. There’s something really great about being able to sit down at any old table in at the park and start working without having to worry about finding WiFi, or getting the password, or dealing with weird captive portals.

Thanks.
Both right, with exclamation points.

Functionally, I think it's fair to say that Google Fi is basically the same as a T-Mobile cellular plan with fewer restrictions/limitations on international data usage, for ~$35/mo extra. Or in other words:

Data: no data (speed) caps worldwide (and no data cap with Unlimited Plus plan)
Texts: free worldwide
Calls: 20¢/min (free* with workaround)

*If you've got a primary cell plan on a dual-SIM iPhone, you can make Wi-Fi calls over the other data line to avoid international calling charges, or place the call while on WiFi Calling (but again this goes back to the "need to find WiFi" problem). This is probably the most expensive approach.

If cost is an issue, you can toggle between Unlimited Plus and Flexible, but be aware you need to make the plan change in advance of when you plan to go abroad as the changes take effect on the next billing cycle.

Everyday I drive a specific route to pick up my kid from school. Along mostly a highway, 12 miles, in a city of over 1M. Using an iPhone 11. I get LTE usually. But for the last week or so, I’m connecting to E and getting no data service whatsoever. What might be happening here? I’ve tried turning off and on etc bc that’s all I can think to do. Nothing changes. It’s really frustrating bc the drive is about 25 min and I’m not getting texts not sent by SMS. Sometimes it’s the full round trip that I’m getting E/nothing. Any ideas what the issue is?

Edited to add: my area has full T Mobile coverage 4G and 5G. And as far as I can tell on the coverage map, there don’t seem to be any dead spots.

Maybe a cell tower was down? If you are part of nextdoor.com in your neighborhood, you could check to see if other neighbors in that area are saying anything about T-mobile signal weak..etc...

I am in SoCal and when there is strong wind, our power or cell tower could be shutoff. With nextdoor, I will know if it is just my house or the entire area.

Could also be T-Mobile decommissioning a nearby Sprint tower while they change them over to T-Mobile towers or 3G/LTE frequency, and your iPhone 11 doesn't support the new(er) bands.

Friend had data shut off after ninety days outside States (even though data usage was almost non-existent). So be careful all if you're going to be out of US for a prolonged period of time.

Did he get a warning? Was data restored after returning to the US? Is he on a family plan?

https://support.google.com/fi/answer/9462101?hl=en

I keep reading that Google throttles data on the Unlikted Plus after 22GB of usage. Yet, the link says 50GB? What about when I'm roaming? Do I get 50GB to use while in France? After that, I'm assuming my plan will be throttled to 256kbps while in France for the rest of the billing cycle?

Is the data-only SIM only obtainable by ordering online? Can I get it at Best Buy? Can the data-only SIM be mailed to any location in the US or only to the registered home address?

I’m thinking of using the data-only SIM with my iPad Pro. I’m assuming this works really well and only takes a minute or two to connect to the local network in the country I’m in?

I just discovered that I have an unopened Google Fi sim card that I bought at Best Buy. There is an expiration date. Is it too late to use a a activate it now?

No warning at all. Not on a family plan, and data has not been restored (because they haven't returned home yet).

The limit used to be 22GB. Google upgraded the plans last year. The current throttling limit is 50GB.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022...-10-price-cut/

You'll have to order the Data-Only SIM online (or through the app). It's plug and play.

Is the data-only SIM only obtainable by ordering online? Can I get it at Best Buy? Can the data-only SIM be mailed to any location in the US or only to the registered home address?

I just discovered that I have an unopened Google Fi sim card that I bought at Best Buy. There is an expiration date. Is it too late to use a a activate it now?

And, their customer service folks merely copy and paste.

What do you mean?

Does anyone here know?

Are there any documented instances where I spend most of my data usage, but few phone calls abroad (aka roaming), and little usage in the US, will I get disconnected? I do fly in and out of the US every one or two months.