My girlfriend is on US Cellular right now, and her service isn't exactly stellar. We were looking at options for her to change things up, and Google Fi seems attractive. Any experience with this service in town? She actually lives in between Springdale and Verona but works on the east end of Madison. Just looking for feedback from anyone who has or is using Google Fi.

I have had Fi for longer than I can remember, since the Project Fi days, but the quality of their cellular service is getting worse and worse. Recently I visited my dad in Eastern TN and had no service at all until I drove 30 minutes to the north. In previous visits, most recently less than a year ago, I had great 5G service all through the area. This was on two different devices. I've also had an issue with the network prioritizing a lower quality and lower strength LTE network instead of a stronger and higher quality 5G network where I work.

If anybody is listening that has any authority to actually change anything, your time is limited to do something before I change carriers.

It is 2025, this is not a new technology. It should just work...

SE Wisconsin subscriber using a Galaxy S21+. My entire area is 5G coverage according to their map. Had the service for, what, 5 years now?

As far back as I can remember, there was always one small town that service simply didn't work in. I had 4G/5G and great strength, but calls, texts, and data were fubar. I always figured it was a fluke. Then, a few months ago, my music would stop streaming from time to time. Eventually, I pulled over while in my hometown and did a speed test. *Failed.* Used the "Fing" app to do a ping to 8.8.8.8. *Failed.* (Mind you, I still have 5G and full signal strength.) Sometimes the speed tests would succeed, but the speeds were next to nothing and 40 to 50% packet loss (far below the service agreement Google Fi has on their site). So, I opened a ticket and starting submitting bug reports.

Since then, service has only degraded. More times where service just doesn't work (but usually limited to data). Over the last few weeks, calls and text are degrading. All texts that come in have a "~" appended and some gibberish text (like base64). I'm getting bombarded with MMS/Voicemail delivery failures from 470 (aka, I can't really receive MMS and Voicemails anymore). Data can be completely dead for hours, then start working again.

The best part is, support is absolutely not interested in helping. They ignore large parts of my replies, constantly ask for bug reports. They've had me reset my network settings, and change various cell settings. Tell me "when you return to the coverage area your service will work again", as if I'm not in the coverage area. Round and round and round.

Not only do I need my service for personal (including useless social media scrolling), but I absolutely need it for work (particularly the hotspot portion). Has anyone experienced this? My requests for escalation and my overall frustration (such as stating that I'm going to leave) are being completely ignored. I've dealt with a lot of support reps in my time, more than the average person. This makes Microsoft's support look good.

Google Fi recently stopped supporting U.S. Cellular as an "official" network after already preferring T-Mobile for some time: https://9to5google.com/2023/02/28/google-fi-us-cellular/

This means that any phone can now roam on U.S. Cellular, which is particularly important in our area.

So, I'm wondering for those of you on Fi... how's the service now, in town, and on the fringes (Dodgeville, Baraboo, Milton, etc)? I'm a bit tired of Verizon's steady decline in reliability around here without paying a premium for Ultra Wideband access and am wondering if Fi is a better alternative.

So I’ve been desperately needing a new phone and on top of that, Verizon has been absolutely sucking (especially for the price I’m paying.)

Since I live in Northern Virginia, I was checking r/nova and was hearing great things about the experience but I wanted something a little more in depth as everyone’s experience can be different.

I do live in a metro area so I do expect good coverage anywhere around the DC area, but I am also on the road a lot and end up working in very rural areas. Ruther Glen, VA being the most recent, it seems not a single person can get service unless it’s T-mobile. I’m also in rural Maryland quite a lot as well as rural Pennsylvania.

So I’m wondering, does GoogleFi hold up in rural areas like I’m hearing about metro areas? And I’ve heard from one person who uses GoogleFi that at random times the phone calls can be absolutely shitty. While I’m not taking phone calls all day, is that true?

I'm looking into switching from Metro due to the Pixel 10, is the service any actual good these days?

Hello! So, here's the tl;dr in bullets

• Currently have T-Mobile Veteran Plan, so it's about $50/mo for one unlimited line

• Using an iPhone 12 mini, planning to upgrade to a Google Pixel 8a

• Currently living in Colorado, Denver area

• Not an international traveler-- want to be one day but I've been saying that for like 10 years

• I do go hiking/bouldering in the mountains, so service can sometimes be spotty with T-Mobile as I get further West of Denver

Is Google Fi better all around in 2024 or are they much of the same? I don't have any real complaints with T-Mobile other than the very occasional deadzone or poor service in some basements. However, one of the reasons I was interested in the phone upgrade is because I read that Google Fi has a feature where it swaps between nearby cell towers for the best service, however this feature isn't available on Apple phones at this time (or at least not my model)

Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!

I currently have Verizon and my wife and I are on my parent's plan because it's financially beneficial for all of us. But each of us are paying upwards of 175 a month because we have new device payment plans. I'm looking to switch away from Verizon but really like their service coverage.

Google-Fi prices are amazing and so I'm looking to possibly switch to them once my device is paid off next month and I'm looking to get a new Google Pixel through the Fi plan as well.

Can anyone provide an honest unbiased opinion on Google Fi, it's network coverage and reliability and it's downsides or upsides other than cheaper plans?

Hi.

We are heavily considering leaving Big Red and hoping for input on coverage quality. Map is all blued out everywhere we go 99% of the time, we are in the town of Joliet, IL.

Any experience in this area or similar?

Hey Wisconsin! My wife and I thinking of switching cell phone providers. We've always been with US Cellular, but are seriously considering Project Fi. I'm sure that service is fine in and around the bigger cities, but how is data/reception out in the country? I'm always driving between cities for work, and I can't be dropping calls. What's your experience Wisconsin?

It's been a fantastic experience for my partner and me with Google Fi and a whole suite of Google services. Everything has worked seamlessly! Our Google setup includes Fi, Fiber, TV, a fully automated smart home, and a collection of Pixel devices – phones, watches, tablets, earbuds, hubs, routers, and speakers. We even snagged the half-price deal when we joined Google Fi. We upgraded to two Pixel 9 Folds at the same time and opted for the Unlimited Premium plan, which is perfect since we travel quite a bit for both work and leisure. I've been really impressed with the reliability of all the services. I'm not sure why our experience has been so smooth compared to some others who've reported issues. Maybe it's because we had a professional set up all our tech, or perhaps our 46th-floor condo in the high-rise gives us exceptional signal strength. We are the tallest structure in the area. Or maybe we have just been lucky?

I've been thinking about switching from Metrobyt to GoogleFi but I've seen some bad stories about it, would transferring to them be good? I don't know if this changes anything but we live in Florida and already have good coverage with T-Mobile and the free pixel 7a for all of us would be a good deal if everything goes right.

Edit: thank you for everyone telling me their experience, I'm going to order phones and switch services when my current plan is about to end. :)

Edit2:I'm glad people still post their experiences on this thread. it's been a year with the service and as everyone said if you don't have issues it's good, the phone has also been great after some updates. I hope I never have any problems.

Does anyone have google fi as their phone carrier? Is it any good? I mostly stay in Lincoln and Omaha.

hi , I'm new to google fi and am happy to be here. I am on the Unlimited Standard plan for 3 line. what made me pull the trigger on google fi was the 1/2 price offer for 1 year to bring our own phone. there are many things about google fi i am tickled about. the price is unbelievable, and the free watch connectivity was just the cherry on top! Second being on T-mobile networkand not deprioritized is awsome. I feel like i am cheating by getting the same network and performance as t-mobile. I do deliveries in a small city in Maine. Previously i was with an mvno that used the verizon network. In theory my previous carrier should have slightly better coverage. but in practice Google Fi is much better. i am always on 5g. and where i had occasional dead spots where the signal seemed blocked with my previous service. Google Fi has been more consistent and solid throughout. It just works and is 5g fast everywhere. As far as signing up goes, it was very easy. the website is straightforward and simple. I recieved a promotion and am easily able to track the status and progress of my promotion. I was concerned that activating and switching my numbers would be troublesome and a pain. But that is not the case at all. All i had to do was put my previous account number and number transfer pin into the google fi app. and click to activate and the process only takes about 15 minutes. Each line has their own account info available in the app. so that each member can track their data during the month. each line can also activate a samsung or google pixel watch at no additional cost. one drawback is that apple watch is not supported. I have a galaxy 7 watch and it was very simple to activate on the Google fi network.

I researching what company to go with, i did consider what customer service is like. So i know Google Fi has reportedly very bad customer service (according to reddit). So i understand if i get into a bind where i cannot resolve issues on my own, i could be out of luck. I think many of these companies rely on the system so that customers can find resolutions on their own. My experience so far , the support of the "system" is very good. I decided that i could not pass up the great price and have to live with the fact that i might not be able to get human assistance if needed. I also decided that if things get intolerable, i will just leave and go to another provider. It appears that process also is very easy and leaving google Fi is just a click or 2 away if needed. The plans i signed up for have no obligation, so i can leave when ever i want. I'm hoping that will not happen, but that is my mindset and i will not stress myself if i cannot receive support when needed. Have a plan B. I know US Mobile is aways right there if i want to change. I was leaning toward US Mobile or T-Mobile, but the great price of Google Fi was too good to pass up.

So in sum my experience has been very positive so far , I love the service (network), and getting activated is very easy. I know Google Fi does not get a lot of positive posts on here, so i just wanted to add a positive experience. Let me know your experience .

I'm currently on T-MOBILE and looking at possibly switching to Google Fi. I am a Samsung Galaxy user (need to get a new phone) and use my phone regularly for work (emails, web browsing, streaming music) and long commutes. Most of the time I have WiFi access if using it while at work, but do listen to podcasts and music on very long commutes on a regular basis. My brother likes Google Fi, but his use of his phone is limited, so I don't quite trust his view as someone that relies on it for my day to day. What are the pros and cons? Does anyone know if Google Fi gets sidelined behind TMobile if a lot of people are using the network?

So im looking into switching to google fi. I currently have verizon wireless with 2 phone & a tablet bill is roughly $180. My service is fine, but looking to save money. Just curious how is the service from anyone whose had it for at least 1-2 minimum.

Apologies for the "Shouting" in the Title.

Google Fi was good 6 years ago when they partnered with T-Mobile/Sprint, as well as US Cellular but they really suck now, and are way overpriced compared to other MVNOs. $20.00/month with zero data included? COME NOW !! Tello is $8.00/"month", $1.00 for 1GB data, $2.00 for 2GB Data (note: for 30 days, not per month so recharge date changes).. Visible (Verizon) is like $30.00 All-In. Mint, so many others.

Also, Fi's "Technical Support" absolutely blows. Over a dozen tickets for one issue because you cannot get transferred to their Tier-2 people or even a Manager. As soon as this issue is fixed we are GONE from Fi. But Google doesn't give a rip. They make their money..

u/GoogleFi