Techlopnik: Cell Carriers and ISPs [Update]

"boredalways" (boredalway666) 01/07/2019 at 19:30 • Filed to: Techlopnik, google fi, project fi, AT&T, comcast, Xfinity, Rant

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Update:  I signed up for Fi, and found an active referral code to save $20 as well,  !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Let’s start with good stuff: Over the weekend, I found that my Essential PH-1 now works on Google Fi (aka Project Fi). I’ve been with Sprint forever. Despite their shortcomings, they’ve been good to me. I guess since Fi works on Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Three (an international network), I won’t being going far.

That is, once I figure out a few things. Dug through the FAQ yet I’m still confused as to when I need to cancel my Sprint service, do I use the same SIM card or have to swap it for Fi card. In other words, I’m old and some of this shit is confusing now when it wasn’t 3 years ago or more. Also, halp.

Now the bad stuff: Comcast/Xfinity has been my ISP for about 17 years, and now they are being a total PITA. All I want is internet, yet they refuse to give me what I want without bundling it with a bunch of shit that I don’t need nor want just only to get me close to the price I want. I spent 1.5 hours on the phone with a tier 3 “Customer Solutions” rep and got nowhere with her, even after speaking with 4 other reps over the previous 3 days. I guess customer retention means nothing anymore. Unfortunately, Indianapolis is one of those towns that allow Cable/ISP to have a duopoly per sections of the city so it’s damn near impossible to have any actual competition. so my only option for another ISP are the equally sofa king shitbags known as AT&T/U-Verse. I really don’t want to leave my current shitbags for another, so I’m trying to figure out if there is one more thing I can try before leaving them. Verizon offers 5G LTE but it’s only available downtown — they need to hurry up and expand so I can buy an LTE modem. Rant over.

2 for 1 video for your time, one to reminisce and the other for rage

shop-teacher > boredalways 01/07/2019 at 19:40

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Can't help you on the cell phone stuff. As for an ISP, my two options are also Comcast and AT&T. I end up switching back and forth every couple of years, to get the new customer deals. No, customer retention means nothing to them. 

Aremmes > boredalways 01/07/2019 at 19:41

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You should get a new SIM from Google Fi when you sign up with them. Remember that, while it’s used to identify you, the SIM more or less belongs to the provider.

Coyote > boredalways 01/07/2019 at 19:49

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Hated t-mobile, never had a problem with Verizon...

BeaterGT > boredalways 01/07/2019 at 20:08

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You can port your number over to Google Fi and they’ll send you a SIM. It will walk you through the process on their site and there’s support if you have questions. This was my experience when switching over from AT&T.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > boredalways 01/07/2019 at 20:10

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Switching to Fi is simple. All you have to do is sign up on the website to have them send you a Sim. When you get the Sim you just stick it in your phone and follow the on screen instructions. Fi will handle transferring your number and canceling your Sprint line for you. 

boredalways > shop-teacher 01/07/2019 at 21:12

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With AT&T, were you using their modem or your own?  If the latter, which one?  I rather buy one instead of renting from them.

shop-teacher > boredalways 01/07/2019 at 21:49

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I’m using one of theirs, because they waved the rental fee to get me to sign up. They're my cell provider, so that may have helped my cause there? I bought my last comcast modem, as paying the rental charge is for suckers.

I will say that AT&T's internet speed is not quite as good, but I saved so much money it was worth it. Eventually they'll jack my rates up again, and I'll switch back to Comcast.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > boredalways 01/07/2019 at 23:40

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I got an Android One edition motorola phone for project Fi. You get a new sim card when the phone arrives. Everything shows up in one box. If you get service but no phone, the card comes in the mail.

Honestly, I stuck with verizon month to month. I stopped using a bunch of social media stuff recently so my useage went way down so I’m back to a much more basic plan. But it doesn’t take much useage for Verizon month to month to be a better value than Fi. If you use more than like 3GB a month, almost any other pay as you go is better. But that’s my 2 cents.

Also, xfinity/comcast in my area was complete shit until charter and two startups came to town. Now I can get pretty fast internet for 60/mo. But I will say that U-verse is always a total shitshow here. We had someone come by under the guise of “upgrading the network” and then I got a call claiming that the tech installed the wrong line or something so I either needed to pay an additional fee or have my speeds reduced. THey did this multiple times where they sent people to check up on my “hardware” and got mad when I switched routers without telling them. Oh, and the internet connection was shit and the satellite TV combo was a waste of money since the signal was still somehow crap in this day and age.

Eris > boredalways 01/07/2019 at 23:49

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Hi.

Google Fi is the best carrier available in this moment, of course, if you have a phone that supports his carries. I’m using it after first at&t and after Verizon. My wife use iPhone so she still use Verizon. In compare i had the same signal in USA cities I’ve been and better signal in California.  Not talking about non US travels that I’m always better than her. Is cheaper and once rcs messages will work or iPhone will accept Google Fi carries, my wife is ready to change and tired of me having better signal and reminder her how much pay i cost. Hope is clear

Dudlirt > boredalways 01/08/2019 at 08:12

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Does your phone support GSM? I assume it does because of the Sim tray. I would look into Nettalk Connect. They charge 40$ a month (flat price) and piggy back off of T-MOBILE. It's pretty much a T-MOBILE one plan that gives unlimited talk,text and an LTE cap of 60 gigs or something before they say you can /will be throttled. Since Netflix,Hulu, Pandora and YouTube doesn't count towards actual data use I find it hard to reach that cap. For a month I even used my phone as a hotspot for my PC, laptop and Xbox without a speed decrees. 

nerd_racing > boredalways 01/08/2019 at 10:36

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I have a pixel 2 XL, I bought it with the intention of going to Fi once I paid it off ($300 discount through verizon as long as I take 2 years to pay it off).  I figure by then my spat/feud with spectrum will be over and I can get reliable wifi again at the house.  

Heykip > boredalways 01/08/2019 at 10:44

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Boredalways I ‘ve been using Google Fi for months and posted on heykip.com/fi

Fi saves me a few bucks each month. Good luck.

Rich

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > boredalways 01/08/2019 at 14:55

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I have had Fi for like, two years or something now. And the price is unbeatable (when you leverage wifi as intended ,) the signal coverage is good , and their soft cap is set at a reasonable area.

The one limit of only using an approved phone seems to be less damaging now that they are gradually permitting other phones onto their network.

And when I went on a cruise into international waters their international roaming rates were really competitive. I think this is a win for Google-bet-whoever.