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I've never used Google Voice, but I do use Google Fi, and they offer unlimited calls and sms in what looks like every country on the planet. What's the advantag

I've never used Google Voice, but I do use Google Fi, and they offer unlimited calls and sms in what looks like every country on the planet. What's the advantage of Voice for the traveling caller?

simtel20 3y ago
Fi has started to threaten that they will cancel your account if you are overseas for extended periods a month, maybe two or three. So far it seems to reset if you usage is low and you visit the US often enough, but if you want to take an extended trip, it may simply stop working at some point.
- warp 3y ago
  I don't live in the US, so far my Google Fi is fine except for international data. "Your international data roaming has been suspended". The error message says you need to stay in the US, with "significant usage" for at least 30 days for access to international data to be restored. I typically visit the USA a few times per year for a week at most (which is why I have the Fi plan in the first place), so this message has been on my account for over a year, and so far I have not seen any indication that Google is going to cancel my Fi plan.
  - simtel20 3y ago
    I have cancelled my Fi service, so I looked back and you're right, it's the data (the important part) that gets suspended. Here's the message: > As a reminder, Fi's Terms of Service require you to use our service primarily in the United States (territories not included), and it looks like you've been predominantly using Fi abroad. In 30 days, we'll need to suspend your international roaming data capabilities unless you start using Fi in the United States again (territories not included). Your calls and texts will not be impacted.
devoutsalsa 3y ago
I have both Google Voice and Google Fi. With Fi, it's not meant to be used perpetually outside of the USA. If you stay outside of the USA long enough, they'll disable your data connection until you return to the USA, although I believe voice & SMS continue to work. The biggest problem I've had with Fi is that I destroed my phone while traveling, and I couldn't find a phone internationally with which I could activate Fi while traveling abroad. I could only associate the new phone w/ Fi once I returned to the USA. I use Google Voice as my phone for nearly everything, unless it doesn't work.
- fjordd 3y ago
  [dead]
AlchemistCamp 3y ago
Does Google Fi work for 2FA? I’ve been using Google Voice for more than a decade, have lived in half a dozen countries during that time and never once lost my primary phone number. Especially if you’re a digital nomad, relying on a phone number tied to a specific country and SIM card as a verification mechanism is a problem. Even if you’re not a DN, Google Voice is a much more secure 2FA than a phone that could get sim hijacked.
- hiatus 3y ago
  > Does Google Fi work for 2FA? Yes, it does.
- e40 3y ago
  Yes, the 2FA is tied to your google account.
gst 3y ago
With Google Voice I have a phone number not tied to a particular SIM card or to a particular phone. When I travel internationally I can use a cheap local SIM and I'm still reachable on my US number for calls and texts. With Fi you run into issues if you use it for too long outside the US. And also I read that people had troubles re-activating a Fi eSIM from outside the US in cases where they (for example) lost their phone.

I've never used Google Voice, but I do use Google Fi, and they offer unlimited calls and sms in what looks like every country on the planet. What's the advantage of Voice for the traveling caller?

simtel20 3y ago

Fi has started to threaten that they will cancel your account if you are overseas for extended periods a month, maybe two or three. So far it seems to reset if you usage is low and you visit the US often enough, but if you want to take an extended trip, it may simply stop working at some point.

warp 3y ago
I don't live in the US, so far my Google Fi is fine except for international data. "Your international data roaming has been suspended". The error message says you need to stay in the US, with "significant usage" for at least 30 days for access to international data to be restored. I typically visit the USA a few times per year for a week at most (which is why I have the Fi plan in the first place), so this message has been on my account for over a year, and so far I have not seen any indication that Google is going to cancel my Fi plan.
- simtel20 3y ago
  I have cancelled my Fi service, so I looked back and you're right, it's the data (the important part) that gets suspended. Here's the message: > As a reminder, Fi's Terms of Service require you to use our service primarily in the United States (territories not included), and it looks like you've been predominantly using Fi abroad. In 30 days, we'll need to suspend your international roaming data capabilities unless you start using Fi in the United States again (territories not included). Your calls and texts will not be impacted.

devoutsalsa 3y ago

I have both Google Voice and Google Fi. With Fi, it's not meant to be used perpetually outside of the USA. If you stay outside of the USA long enough, they'll disable your data connection until you return to the USA, although I believe voice & SMS continue to work. The biggest problem I've had with Fi is that I destroed my phone while traveling, and I couldn't find a phone internationally with which I could activate Fi while traveling abroad. I could only associate the new phone w/ Fi once I returned to the USA. I use Google Voice as my phone for nearly everything, unless it doesn't work.

fjordd 3y ago
[dead]

AlchemistCamp 3y ago

Does Google Fi work for 2FA? I’ve been using Google Voice for more than a decade, have lived in half a dozen countries during that time and never once lost my primary phone number. Especially if you’re a digital nomad, relying on a phone number tied to a specific country and SIM card as a verification mechanism is a problem. Even if you’re not a DN, Google Voice is a much more secure 2FA than a phone that could get sim hijacked.

hiatus 3y ago
> Does Google Fi work for 2FA? Yes, it does.
e40 3y ago
Yes, the 2FA is tied to your google account.

gst 3y ago

With Google Voice I have a phone number not tied to a particular SIM card or to a particular phone. When I travel internationally I can use a cheap local SIM and I'm still reachable on my US number for calls and texts. With Fi you run into issues if you use it for too long outside the US. And also I read that people had troubles re-activating a Fi eSIM from outside the US in cases where they (for example) lost their phone.