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As a reminder, Fi is an MVNO, or mobile virtual network operator, that relies on existing wireless networks to provide a service, similar to the operation of Boost Mobile or Republic Wireless. The big difference with Fi is that it switches between three wireless networks – T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular – instead of using one. The idea is that she switches to the best performing network wherever you are.
The problem is that only some phones are equipped with this ability to change providers dynamically. At the time of writing, these phones include all Pixel models, the Moto G6, the LG V35 ThinQ, the LG G7 ThinQ and the Moto X4. If you do not own any of these phones, Fi will still work, but this will only affect one carrier: T-Mobile.
<img alt = "Google Fi" data-caption = "Google Fi on iPhone" data-credit = "Nicole Lee" data-credit-link-back = "" data-dam-provider = "" data-local-id = "data-media-id =" dc5e421d-96a1-3981-898a-dc5335991cc4 "data-original-url =" https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images / 2018-11 / a1e94960-f36f-11e8-aff-dd59ec3527e8 "data-title =" Google Fi "src =" https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?crop=2000%2C1042%2C0%2C0&quality= 85 & forma = 85 & formal = jpg & resize = 1600% 2C834 & image_uri = https% 3A% 2F% 2F%.% 2Fos% 2F% 2f% 2f% 2f% 2f% 2f% 2f% 2f% 2f% 2f% 2f% 2f8f1f2f2f1f2f2f2f2f2f% C3% C3% C3% A8s
I should explain that even before the announcement today, you could bring Fi to work with an unsupported phone, and yes, I've already used a Fi in an iPhone . But there were some obstacles to overcome. On the one hand, you needed the right data settings or some things would not work, like MMS or web browsing. To begin, you also had to activate the SIM card in a supported phone, otherwise it would not work at all.
But now, this is no longer the case. However, there are still some problems, especially for those with iPhone. For the moment, Fi support of iPhones is still in beta, and it shows. According to Google, iPhones with Fi are cut off from visual voicemail, can no longer call or send SMS via Wi-Fi (iMessage is exempt) and can not be used as data access points outside of United States. Like many other unsupported devices, the iPhone also does not have the ability to change providers dynamically. Plus, if you have an iPhone 5, 5c or older, you have no chance.
I've inserted a Fi SIM card into my iPhone XS and opened the Google Fi app for iOS released today. The application has sufficiently warned that not all Fi features are supported on the iPhone, and then explained to me the changes I needed to make to my cellular data settings. I've changed the APN values (access point name) to "h2g2" and entered a new URL for MMSC (multimedia message center) as shown, and lo and behold, I was able to send and receive text messages exactly as before. I've also had it on the web without much problem. It should be noted however that Google has stated that you will probably need to adjust these settings from time to time with each iOS update. In addition to this, you can also use the Fi application to check your data usage as well as your monthly statements.
<img alt = "Google Fi" data-caption = "Google Fi" data-credit = "Google" data-credit-link-back = "" data-data-provider = "" data-local-id = "local- 2-3487793-1543452343386 "data-media-id =" 05595ac8-73a5-3a39-8a4e-714b4bbff9c5 "data-original-url =" https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2018- 11 / 14c1ebe0-f370 -11e8-bbff-88dd54b2e3d3 "data-title =" Google Fi "src =" https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?crop=964%2C583%2C0&quality=85&format=jpg&resize=1600 % 2C968 & 2 = 5 = 555 = 555 & lang = en https% 3A% 2F% 2Fs.yimg.com% 2Fos% 2Fcreatr-uploaded-% 2F2018-11% 2F14c1e1
It is clear that the experience on the iPhone is not perfect, and although it will certainly be much better on Android phones previously "incompatible" (you may not need to change your settings data and international connection sharing function is supported), they will always be you benefit from a dynamic operator switching and you will not be able to route data via Fi VPN as you would do it with phones designed for-Fi.
With so many caveats, why bother with Fi? Well, there are some important benefits. On the one hand, if you live in the United States and do not use a lot of data, then Fi could prove to be a good deal. You pay $ 20 a month for unlimited calls and texting, then $ 10 per GB until you reach 6 GB of usage, after which Google will stop charging you. When you reach the threshold of 15 GB, Google makes you switch to EDGE speeds (which, according to the company, only affects 1% of users), but you can also decide to pay 15 USD for each more concert 10 GB if you really need all that speed and data.
This may seem like a lot of money, but in practice it works. I use Fi regularly on phones that I test and I usually pay about $ 30 a month because I'm almost always surrounded by WiFi. My colleague, who uses Fi as the main carrier, pays only $ 80 a month for him and his wife. That's a lot less than the approximately $ 150 I pay for me and my husband's monthly plan on T-Mobile. This is the beauty of the pay-as-you-go model instead of the monthly unlimited data capture of most traditional operators. When I consume a lot of data, I pay more. When I skimp, I pay less. It is as it should be.
<img alt = "Google Fi" data-caption = "Google Fi" data-credit = "Google" data-credit-link-back = "" data-data-provider = "" data-local-id = "local- 3-2580361-1543452525230 "data-media-id =" ddd0077b-69d0-338d-b2d2-8298555af79d "data-original-url =" https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2018- 11 / 6617e990-990-f370 -11e8-8cdd-e258a39c771b "data-title =" Google Fi "src =" https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?crop=1417%2C727%2C0&quality=85&format=jpg&resize = 1600% 2C821 & 2 = 8 = 5 & s == https% 3A% 2F% 2Fs.yimg.com% 2Fos% 2Fcreatr-the-images-sent% 2F2018-11% 2F6617e990-f370-11e8-8cdd-e258a39c771b & customer = a1acac3e1b3290917d92 & signature = d740304403
Fi makes perfect sense when traveling abroad. Through partnerships with operators in more than 170 countries, the same usage of $ 10 per GB of data usage is also applied internationally. Calls cost 20 cents a minute, which is quite expensive, but there are still alternatives like Skype or WhatsApp. T-Mobile offers a similar unlimited international data plan, in which you do not pay per gigabyte, but you are relegated to 2G speeds. With Google Fi, at least you will enjoy LTE outflows abroad without having to pay more than your usual bill.
Another great benefit is that you can order a SIM card containing only data for other devices, such as tablets, even though it is built into the 6 GB collective data threshold. And when I decide that I do not want Fi at all, I can cancel without having to make a phone call – I can do it via the app or online.
Of course, Fi is not suitable for everyone, especially if you use a lot of data consistently. And as I mentioned earlier, if you use an iPhone, it's not really the best option for operators, although not having visual voicemail may not be a dealbreaker for some people. The lack of international connection is a pretty big drawback in my mind because I sometimes rely on that when I travel abroad. In addition, Fi does not support number sharing, which means you can not pair it with your LTE smartwatch, for example.
With all these caveats, Fi seems destined to remain a niche option even after wider adoption to other phones. That said, it is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, that's what an MVNO is supposed to do: offer an alternative to the Big Four. Fi may not be the "game changer" that Google wanted back in 2015, but it may not be necessary to attract a loyal audience.
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