Any Project Fi members on here?

[glhs837]

Pondering perhaps leaving the big V for Project Fi, but since they use the other guys towers, not sure what sort of coverage they actually have down here. And other places like say China Lake and say Jacksonville, FL. Map looks good, but easy to do that. Looking for firsthand experience.

 

[Clem72]

Pondering perhaps leaving the big V for Project Fi, but since they use the other guys towers, not sure what sort of coverage they actually have down here. And other places like say China Lake and say Jacksonville, FL. Map looks good, but easy to do that. Looking for firsthand experience.

There are some pros to Project Fi (namely having access to both Sprint and T-Mobile towers at the same time), however if you are already open to using an MVNO and have Sprint or T-Mobile access there are better options, and ProjectFi data charges are in my opinion a bit excessive.

If you like the Project Fi model, using the Sprint network, Republic Wireless/Ting/RingPlus are cheaper and provide more data. Heck, RingPlus regularly has some pretty crazy free offers so I have my old phone (Nexus 5x) on a free plan with 7500minutes, 7500texts, and 7500MB of LTE data. I have no issues tethering, and if I were to go over the extra data is cheaper than Project Fi.

If you like T-Mobile a bit better, you can get the $30 Walmart plan with very minimal minutes/text, but 5GB of LTE data with free speed limited (128k) overage data. And music streaming doesn't count against the data. This pairs very well with a Google Voice number or Ring.to number and using hangouts to make SIP calls using that number.

Or you can use Net10 and get unlimited minutes/texts with 3GB of LTE data (followed by 64k rate limited data) for $36/mo. This works with your choice of T-Mobile, ATT, or Verizon (and is the cheapest Verizon plan around).

Personally, I use Cricket (ATT network, Unlimited/Unlimited/2.5GB) but only because I get crappy T-Mobile reception at my place and don't want to rely on wifi calling or a signal booster.

BTW, if you are considering T-Mobile make sure you get a newer phone that supports LTE band 12 (700mhz) as it will work at much greater distances from the tower and penetrates buildings better. I think all Project Fi phones support band 12.

 

[glhs837]

See, I was thinking that having access to two networks might give me coverage at least approaching Verzon. I don't think any other single provider comes close enough.

 

[GURPS]

If you like the Project Fi model, using the Sprint network, Republic Wireless/Ting/RingPlus are cheaper and provide more data.

I have my wife's Samsung on Ting [gms] .... and if I can ever remember during the billing cycle I'll move off of Straight Talk to Ting as well

 

[Clem72]

See, I was thinking that having access to two networks might give me coverage at least approaching Verzon. I don't think any other single provider comes close enough.

Likely not, their coverage overlaps considerably (at 4G/LTE especially). So if you are completely outside of Sprint coverage, it's rare that you will have T-Mobile coverage (except in some of the Southwest US where they first became popular).

If you were only worried about voice, I would say this is a good idea as Sprint has more legacy 2G/3G towers and access to lower bands that propagate better.

But honestly, in a populated area or along any highway you are likely to have good coverage from all three. The issue is when you get out in the sticks (or are in a large metal building like is often the case on a military base). Then you just need to experiment and see.

Verizon is always touted as having the best coverage in SOMD, but when I worked at PAX the only carrier that I could get LTE with in my building was AT&T. Step out the front door though, and all three come in perfect.

So I think the best advice would be to figure out WHERE you need your phone to work, then test it. You can buy a Net10 starter pack (for $1) that will provide SIM cards for T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon which you can use (without activating) to see exactly what strength signal you will get. Sprint makes you jump through hoops to get a non-activated card, you may just need to borrow someone else's phone to check.

And if you are on T-Mobile proper they will provide you a fairly high end 802.11ac router with QOS preset to prioritize VOIP for free if you want, or a signal repeater if you don't want to use your home internet to make phone calls (also free). But I wouldn't suggest TMO as the best "deal" unless you get in on the $30 for 5GB plan and use Google Voice to make VOIP calls.

I transferred my number to GVoice years ago and it's been great as I can now change carriers at the drop of a hat and never have to worry about transferring my number.

 

[GURPS]

I transferred my number to GVoice years ago and it's been great as I can now change carriers at the drop of a hat and never have to worry about transferring my number.

ok, how do you make phone calls ? Google Voice App over your phones data network

 

[Clem72]

ok, how do you make phone calls ? Google Voice App over your phones data network

Incoming phone calls are routed to your phone by Google Voice, so nothing to install/manage. If you want to use Google Voice for outgoing phone calls, just set hangouts as your default dialer/text app. On my S7 it's completely integrated and you wouldn't know you were doing anything other than making a normal call.

 

[GURPS]

Incoming phone calls are routed to your phone by Google Voice, so nothing to install/manage. If you want to use Google Voice for outgoing phone calls, just set hangouts as your default dialer/text app. On my S7 it's completely integrated and you wouldn't know you were doing anything other than making a normal call.

that's nice ..... thanks for the feed back



[I do like my One Plus 1 however]