Apparently the word unlimited now means 22GB. [1] Also no international tethering. [2] Then you need to also account for the fact that if anything happens with your Google account (say an AdSense terms violation) you will also lose your phone service. All of that for a whopping $70/month. Seems pretty crazy to me.
I'm currently paying 17€/month for unlimited calling, texts & data. Not sure what the actual data cap on my unlimited plan is, but I haven't reached it yet. For example I've used about 160GB with iOS tethering during the last week alone and everything still works fine, currently at 85Mbps down / 65Mbps up from where I'm standing. I can stream 4K no problems and I do.
Now my current plan has only 10GB EU-wide data and no non-EU data. However my operator (Tele2) does offer a 50€/month package for EU-wide unlimited all. No international unlimited all package from them yet though.
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[1] From the article: we will reduce speeds after 22GB of usage per person in a given month
I can see how this plan might not work for everyone but as an American who rarely travels internationally this is fine. And if I tried my best I could probably only consume 10-15GB a month so it's essentially unlimited to me.
Many people are likely better off with Fi's existing plan:
- $20 month + $10/GB up to 6 GB ($60) then unlimited. Full resolution video. Up to 15 GB usage before it is slowed. Cost: $20~80 (+T&Fs) depending on usage.
Vs.
- $70 month unlimited. Includes Google One. Limited 480p video. Cost: $70 (+T&Fs) regardless of usage.
If you're using 5 GB or more every month, you should switch, but if your usage is variable and the average is less than 5 GB you should likely stick with their existing plan (to save money). Unless Google One is a worthwhile perk for you of course (and you don't mind the video downgrade).
More choices are nice. If they forced me onto this I'd just switch to T-Mobile since it would cost similar and the side benefits are greater.
Looked like a no-brainer till I read “international tethering not supported on iOS”. I currently use AT&T International day pass which gives me unlimited text, data, and calls for $10 a day. Works flawlessly, but can get expensive for extended travel.
Hopefully they’ll address all the iOS related issues soon.
Because google-fi isn't a real network. It's not some spec that you can implement. It's done by play services blobs. Even Android cannot handle it. Only play services can.
iOS apps cant make iOS understand it's allowed to switch between Sprint and T-Mobile - Fi is an MVNO and rents access to their networks. Fi in iOS is locked to T-Mobile.
Fi could otherwise be a great smart watch plan too since they don't charge per additional device. Unfortunately, they don't support eSIMs beside pixel devices.
Readit News
I'm currently paying 17€/month for unlimited calling, texts & data. Not sure what the actual data cap on my unlimited plan is, but I haven't reached it yet. For example I've used about 160GB with iOS tethering during the last week alone and everything still works fine, currently at 85Mbps down / 65Mbps up from where I'm standing. I can stream 4K no problems and I do.
Now my current plan has only 10GB EU-wide data and no non-EU data. However my operator (Tele2) does offer a 50€/month package for EU-wide unlimited all. No international unlimited all package from them yet though.
--
[1] From the article: we will reduce speeds after 22GB of usage per person in a given month
[2] international tethering not supported on iOS https://fi.google.com/compatibility
That would be a minor PR scandal, taking someone’s phone number away would certainly be considered an excessive response.
Here's one that made it to the front page of HN. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18886804
- $20 month + $10/GB up to 6 GB ($60) then unlimited. Full resolution video. Up to 15 GB usage before it is slowed. Cost: $20~80 (+T&Fs) depending on usage.
Vs.
- $70 month unlimited. Includes Google One. Limited 480p video. Cost: $70 (+T&Fs) regardless of usage.
If you're using 5 GB or more every month, you should switch, but if your usage is variable and the average is less than 5 GB you should likely stick with their existing plan (to save money). Unless Google One is a worthwhile perk for you of course (and you don't mind the video downgrade).
More choices are nice. If they forced me onto this I'd just switch to T-Mobile since it would cost similar and the side benefits are greater.
Hopefully they’ll address all the iOS related issues soon.
I wonder what the limitation is?