this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2024
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[–] [email protected] 41 points 8 months ago (5 children)

For anyone like me outside the US wondering what the fuck is GoogleFi : It's a Virtual mobile network provider, using wifi and other provider's network.

Hope I saved you a search.

For me living in france, these prices seems outrageous. For the record I pay 13€/months and got pretty much unlimited everything (130 GiB data is more than I'll ever use in a single months on my phone)

[–] [email protected] 24 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

US cell service plans always seem insanely priced compared to what we're used to here in Europe. They pay a fortune for shitty plans with low data caps, it's ridiculous.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Even in Germany where prices are outrageous the US prices seem completely unhinged.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Well, to be fair, we're "in network" and not roaming on a landmass the size of the EU.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

I fail to see why that's a reason to be so expensive tbh. These massive companies have way more customers too so they have huge savings.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Hahaha...yes we are, thus "roaming" prices. At least where I live, there is higher price and/or additional costs when calling outside home country.

It's kinda fair tho looking at the fact that providers need to negotatie using each others infrastructure for this to work.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

In the US, it's one of the cheapest carriers you can get.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I pay €8 a month mainly because I can manage with 3gb data a month (especially after quitting FB and IG). I would have expected a phone service running off WiFi would have been even cheaper!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Google Fi is a 5G virtual network that primarily uses T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular towers. The "Fi" in "Google Fi" is not a reference to WiFi. Americans just like sticking "Fi" on anything that uses wireless data.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Does that also work in other countries in the EU?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I don't remember exactly, but I think I get reduced data cap value if I'm using it from another eu country, the rest stays unlimited I think.

[–] [email protected] 40 points 8 months ago

But don't worry, the service isn't changing... they are just charging more because they can.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 8 months ago (1 children)

User for 8 years. Still a good deal for me. No contracts. Great deals on phones. My bill this month is $34. Sorry, it's not a good fit for some people, tho.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago

Same here. Signed up the first week it was open and have enjoyed it since. Free international data/calling is great for people who travel a lot.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Google what now? Why would anyone care since it will just cease to exist after a while like all their other services

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago

I mean, I've been on Google Fi for almost 8 years. It might cease to exist eventually, but I care about since it has saved me roughly $20/mo for 8 years. It also has free international data/calling and wifi partnerships around the country.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 8 months ago (1 children)

So plus $5 per person per month over 2 people. Not a deal breaker but just try and always have an unlocked phone so you can jump anytime and not get locked into BS

[–] [email protected] 11 points 8 months ago

Google Fi doesn't sell locked phones, so that shouldn't be a problem.

They do have various deals that require staying on the Fi plan for some time (I'm getting the full price of a Pixel 7 back in discounts spread over 2 years), but I read that they're delaying this increase for anyone on a promo (probably because a change of plan would allow people to exit the deal).

It's sad for anyone who has to pay more now, but it was pretty strange that the price was actually the same for 4 lines as 2 (taxes and fees excluded).

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago

So basically, 2+ is now not a fixed price.

But it's google, so this somewhat incredibly irrelevant information is still somewhat annoying.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I've got a solo line for 1gb/mo included and 10$/gb thereafter. I end up paying ~33$/mo. So far I'm surprised the price hasn't gone up in a few years.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

That's more than Mint's unlimited plan. Are you only using 3GB of data? You could switch to Mint's 5GB/month plan for $180/year which is less than half of what you pay. The speed should be similar since they are both on T-Mobile's network. It might even be better since T-Mobile owns Mint now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Hmmm I'll have to look into it, thanks. It's been a few years since I did research on it, but there may have been phone compatibility issues iirc. I'll recheck in case I'm misremembering or it's changed.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I have a Visible plan (Verizon network, which works best in my area). Unlimited data and it's a flat $30/mo. Did Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile before this and Visible is the one I like the best.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

"we've had a massive increase in users, we must be priced low vs. the market for the multi person segment and can use our momentum to drive profit!"

"How many users did we gain?"

"3"

"Greenlit."