4 ms·

Google Fi is not Google Fiber - it’s probably the least overtly scumbag-y of the US cellphone networks. That said, I switched away from it today after a few yea

by jen20 6y ago

Google Fi is not Google Fiber - it’s probably the least overtly scumbag-y of the US cellphone networks. That said, I switched away from it today after a few years of OK service because they don’t support Apple Watches.

scarface74 6y ago
My bad. I’m looking at their plans. https://fi.google.com/about/plans/ https://fi.google.com/about/plans/ They look worse than T-mobile. https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans Unlimited 3G hot spot and $20/month for tablets with unlimited data can’t be beat.
- tolbish 6y ago
  I made the move several years ago when the comparison wasn't close. I haven't had a sim card in years, which is also nice.
- jen20 6y ago
  > Unlimited 3G hot spot and $20/month for tablets with unlimited data can’t be beat. It can if you spend a lot of time travelling - Google's data packages (on 4G!) are good in most of the world at no additional cost. There's also a service aspect - Fi was often better where I am (downtown in a major US city) than T-Mobile (which my work phone is on). That said, T-Mobile seems to be more customer-centric than AT&T - who even in 2020 seem hostile to doing business, and I'd consider them in future or for my iPad, just for further network diversity.
  - scarface74 6y ago
    T-mobile’s standard plans include 3G roaming for data and calls(?) in Canada and Mexico and 2G data roaming in most other countries. You can also get a $5 “day pass” for 3G data and calls in most countries. As an aside, their rate plans are all inclusive no extra taxes or fees.
    - jen20 6y ago
      I'm aware - but Google Fi offers 4G roaming at no extra charge across a much wider range of countries (importantly for me, most of Europe).
      - scarface74 6y ago
        It is an “extra charge”. Don’t you pay for every gigabyte of data that you use? It’s all bundled with T-Mobile. What’s the advantage of that over just getting another sim while you’re out of the country? Especially now with e-Sims being a thing.
        jen20 6y ago
        They have two packages, one with per GB charging up to a cap and one bundled. The advantage of using a primary plan (possibly augmented with local services from time to time) is that you have a stable phone number, and a lot less screwing about. For a casual traveler that may not matter. For someone who is in a different country every other week (pre-pandemic) it makes a substantial difference.

by jen20 6y ago

scarface74 6y ago

My bad. I’m looking at their plans. https://fi.google.com/about/plans/ https://fi.google.com/about/plans/ They look worse than T-mobile. https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans Unlimited 3G hot spot and $20/month for tablets with unlimited data can’t be beat.

tolbish 6y ago
I made the move several years ago when the comparison wasn't close. I haven't had a sim card in years, which is also nice.
jen20 6y ago
> Unlimited 3G hot spot and $20/month for tablets with unlimited data can’t be beat. It can if you spend a lot of time travelling - Google's data packages (on 4G!) are good in most of the world at no additional cost. There's also a service aspect - Fi was often better where I am (downtown in a major US city) than T-Mobile (which my work phone is on). That said, T-Mobile seems to be more customer-centric than AT&T - who even in 2020 seem hostile to doing business, and I'd consider them in future or for my iPad, just for further network diversity.
- scarface74 6y ago
  T-mobile’s standard plans include 3G roaming for data and calls(?) in Canada and Mexico and 2G data roaming in most other countries. You can also get a $5 “day pass” for 3G data and calls in most countries. As an aside, their rate plans are all inclusive no extra taxes or fees.
  - jen20 6y ago
    I'm aware - but Google Fi offers 4G roaming at no extra charge across a much wider range of countries (importantly for me, most of Europe).
    - scarface74 6y ago
      It is an “extra charge”. Don’t you pay for every gigabyte of data that you use? It’s all bundled with T-Mobile. What’s the advantage of that over just getting another sim while you’re out of the country? Especially now with e-Sims being a thing.
      - jen20 6y ago
        They have two packages, one with per GB charging up to a cap and one bundled. The advantage of using a primary plan (possibly augmented with local services from time to time) is that you have a stable phone number, and a lot less screwing about. For a casual traveler that may not matter. For someone who is in a different country every other week (pre-pandemic) it makes a substantial difference.