Share

Google Fi – A Good Alternative Mobile Network Carrier

October 20, 2021 Miscellaneous

Our family is a Google Fi subscriber for about 5 years now. We are on Flexible plan and have outgrown it that we will soon switch to Simply Unlimited plan on our next billing period (November 2021).

Here are some of the Google Fi features we like:

  • No contracts and can cancel anytime.
  • No activation fees.
  • 24/7 Customer Support.
  • Built-in VPN and spam blocking.
  • You can add someone new to your plan, pause your plan, or cancel — no ifs, ands, or hidden fees about it.
  • You can easily switch plans once a month, as many times as you want to match your data needs.
  • You can bring your own phone. Most Android phones and iPhone work with Google Fi.
  • If connected to a Wi-Fi network, phone calls may use Wi-Fi and not data.
  • You can order data-only SIM for free. You can use these data-only SIMs in your extra devices to have Internet connection when you are out of Wi-Fi connection.
  • You can tether or create a Wi-Fi Hotspot with your phone with no extra charge and share its Internet connection with up to 10 other devices at the same time. For example, if you want to use your laptop at the airport, you can turn your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect your laptop to the Internet.

What is Google Fi?

Google Fi is a mobile virtual network operator by Google that provides telephone calls, SMS, and mobile broadband using cellular networks and Wi-Fi. Google Fi uses networks operated by T-Mobile/Sprint and U.S. Cellular.

Phones designed for Fi intelligently switch between multiple mobile networks from T-Mobile/Sprint and U.S Cellular, as well as secure Wi-Fi connections. This means you get access to more cell towers and 4G LTE in more places. If your phone designed for Fi is 5G-compatible or you bring your own unlocked phone compatible with T-Mobile’s 5G network, you’ll have access to 5G nationwide on Fi.

When you sign up for Google Fi, you can choose from 3 types of plans to get the service that works best for you.

Flexible plan

If you mostly use Wi-Fi and don’t use lots of data, we suggest the Flexible plan.

Benefits

  • Adapts to your data usage. You won’t pay for data you don’t use.
  • Free calls to Canada and Mexico from the US, with affordable calls to other destinations.
  • Good for low data users. Data speed is slowed to 256 kbps after 15 GB of use per member. 
  • Good choice if you are mostly connected to WiFi (e.g. working from home)

Flexible plan monthly prices

On the Flexible plan, you prepay for unlimited calls and texts:

  • 1 person: $20 per line
  • 2 people: $17.50 per line ($35 total)
  • 3 people: $16.67 per line ($50 total)
  • 4 people: $16.25 per line ($65 total)
  • 5 people: $16.00 per line ($80 total)
  • 6 people: $15.84 per line ($95 total)

Data

$10 per GB until you reach your data level. After you reach your data level, all data is free. Taxes and government fees are charged separately.

Simply Unlimited plan

Simply Unlimited is the most affordable plan with unlimited data, calls, and texts. If you only travel frequently to Canada and Mexico and don’t use your phone as a hotspot for your other devices, we suggest the Simply Unlimited Plan.

Benefits

  • Fixed prices that don’t unexpectedly change.
  • Unlimited data and texts in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
  • Free calls to Canada and Mexico from the US, with affordable calls to other destinations.
  • Up to 22 GB of free, unmetered data. Data speed is slowed to 256 kbps after 22 GB of use per member. Video speeds may be optimized to DVD-quality 480p.

Simply Unlimited plan monthly prices

Unlimited plans are priced on a per-line basis. The Simply Unlimited plan includes unlimited data, calls, and texts:

  • 1 person: $60
  • 2 people: $45 per line ($90 total)
  • 3 people: $30 per line ($90 total)
  • 4 people: $30 per line ($120 total)
  • 5 people: $30 per line ($150 total)
  • 6 people: $30 per line ($180 total)

Taxes and government fees are charged separately.

Important: When you use a Simply Unlimited plan, international data roaming outside Canada and Mexico, data-only SIMs, and hotspot tethering aren’t available.

Unlimited plan

Unlimited Plus gets you unlimited data, calls, and texts. If you frequently travel internationally or use your phone as a hotspot for your other devices, we recommend the Unlimited Plus plan. The Unlimited Plus plan includes 100 GB of Google One storage for each group plan member, up to 6 members. You can also make international calls from the US to over 50 countries, regions, or territories at no extra cost.

Benefits

  • Fixed pricing that doesn’t unexpectedly change.
  • Unlimited data and texts in the US, plus over 200 international countries or regions.
  • Free calls to over 50 countries, regions, or territories from the US and affordable calls to other destinations.
  • Up to 22 GB of free, unmetered data. Data speed is slowed to 256 kbps after 22 GB of use per member. Video speeds may be optimized to DVD-quality 480p.
  • 100 GB of Google One storage per member at no additional cost. 
  • Full-speed hotspot tethering at no additional cost.

Unlimited Plus plan prices

Unlimited Plus plans are priced on a per-line basis. The rate is determined by the number of people in the plan:

  • 1 person: $70 ($70 total)
  • 2 people: $60 per line ($120 total)
  • 3 people: $50 per line ($150 total)
  • 4 people: $45 per line ($180 total)
  • 5 people: $45 per line ($225 total)
  • 6 people: $45 per line ($270 total)

Taxes and government fees are charged separately.

If you’d like to try out Google Fi, we have a referral link where both of us will earn $20 credit. Click that link if you are interested.

#GoogleFi #AlternativeMobileNetwork

Tags: