Latest news with #GoogleFi
Phone Arena
3 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Survey for T-Mobile alternatives shows MVNOs are the future
Lots of customers aren't happy with some of the decisions that T-Mobile has made in recent months. A survey conducted by Android Authority asked people which alternatives to T-Mobile were at the top of their lists, and it turns out that MVNOs ( Mobile Virtual Network Operator ) are favored by most. Google Fi uses T-Mobile's network. | Image credit — T-Mobile The most voted for alternative choice was Google Fi, an MVNO that primarily uses T-Mobile 's network for its operations. Google's name carries a lot of weight, especially for people who remember when Google Fiber first rolled out. It also helps that Google Fi can be cheaper than T-Mobile , which is a no-brainer when both are using the same network. Visible, another MVNO, came second. It uses Verizon's network, making it a good choice for customers who live in areas with poor T-Mobile coverage. Ookla just crowned T-Mobile as the best network in the U.S., but there are, naturally, areas across the country where Verizon 's network performs Google Fi and Visible, the next choices — in descending order of votes — were the following: Mint Mobile US Mobile Metro Funnily enough, Mint Mobile also uses the T-Mobile network. US Mobile uses that, as well as the networks of AT&T and Verizon . Meanwhile, Metro is literally an MVNO owned by T-Mobile , also running on its network. So, even when you're choosing an alternative to T-Mobile , you're almost guaranteed to be using its network regardless. At least the plans are cheaper, though. While the survey didn't outright provide options for AT&T or Verizon , voters did have the option to choose 'Other' and specify their choice in the comments. However, even the comments were filled with MVNOs like Helium Mobile, Tello, and others. Boost Mobile, which is part standalone carrier and part MVNO, was also a popular choice in the discussions. Mentions of recent Google Fi account suspensions were also made, something to consider if you're looking at giving the network a go. While T-Mobile is still a very popular carrier across the U.S., recent changes to its business model threaten that fame. T-Mobile removed tax-inclusive plans a while back, and then delisted Go5G plans as well, leading to a lot of outcry. This, after customers were walking out of T-Mobile stores due to the T-Life app being forced on them, was a badly-timed move to make. Not to mention the price hikes on price-locked plans some time back, now that was a bad week for T-Mobile 's PR. I understand that businesses change, but this many sudden changes has led to some very angry comments that I dare not summarize here. T-Mobile 's usually-excellent service — hence the aforementioned Ookla award — as well as other perks and niceties like T-Mobile Tuesdays will keep many customers around for now. But I think that the company really needs to tone down on all of the business decisions that it's been making of late. Switch to Total 5G+ Unlimited 3-Month plan or Total 5G Unlimited and get a free iPhone. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
The Verge
3 days ago
- The Verge
iPhone users on Google Fi will now get all their voicemails in the Phone app
Google is making a big change to how Fi users on iPhone access their voicemails: instead of getting voicemails from a dedicated tab in the Fi app, iPhone users will be able to get them right from the native iOS Phone app instead. The change started rolling out on Tuesday and will be fully rolled out by July 2nd, the Fi team says in a support forum post. In August, Google plans to phase out voicemail in the iOS Google Fi app. 'If you have voicemails you want to keep, you must download them using Google Takeout before August 13th,' the team says in its post. 'After this date, they will no longer be available in the Google Fi app.' If you use Google Fi and have an iPhone, you may have seen some voicemails show up in the iOS Phone app before this announcement. But that has only happened under a specific set of circumstances. If a user had iOS's Live Voicemail feature turned on, your phone was turned on, and you were within Google Fi's service area when getting a voicemail, that voicemail would be delivered to the iPhone's Phone app, Google's Patrick Seybold tells The Verge. After this update has rolled out to you, all voicemails will show up in the iPhone's Phone app. Google teased in April that this change was in the works. At that time, Google also announced a more affordable Google Fi Unlimited Essentials plan that costs $35 per month.
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Survey reveals this is the T-Mobile alternative most people would go for
Joe Maring / Android Authority With over 131 million subscribers as of Q1 2025, T-Mobile is the second-largest telecom carrier in the US. However, recent decisions like retiring the Go5G lineup of plans in favor of the new Experience plans and unbundling taxes and fees from monthly prices have caused many users to start looking for alternatives in case they want to jump ship. We asked users what carrier they would choose as a T-Mobile alternative, and Google Fi and Visible turned up as the top two choices. Our survey received over 4,400 votes, and over 1,280 people voted in favor of Google Fi, giving it 29% of our votes. Google Fi as a top T-Mobile alternative makes sense, too, as Fi uses T-Mobile's towers for its coverage. If you already have good T-Mobile network reception and want to switch out for other reasons, Google Fi will most likely give you equally good coverage. Google Fi's plans are also cheaper than T-Mobile's, and during network congestion, Fi customers are prioritized at the same level as regular T-Mobile postpaid plans. The cherry on top is that users get free smartwatch data across all Google Fi plans, and we can see why enthusiasts like Fi. Visible is the runner-up T-Mobile alternative, getting over 1,050 votes for a 24% claim. This MVNO uses Verizon's network for its coverage, which makes it a good option if you plan to move out of T-Mobile because of cell reception issues (as long as Verizon works well in your area). Visible also offers plans that are not only competitively priced but also very straightforward, so you don't get stuck in analysis paralysis. Taxes and fees are included too, making your decision less of a math puzzle than it is with T-Mobile. On number three, we have Mint Mobile, which also relies on T-Mobile's towers for its cell service. The draw here is that some users prefer paying their phone bill in bulk, which gives them a higher upfront cost, but some of the cheapest effective monthly rates available anywhere, going down as low as $15 per month for unlimited talk, text, and 5G data for three months. Some caveats come along with the low price, so we aren't surprised this didn't make it to the top of the list. Not a popular choice, but some users also prefer US Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile. Comments also mentioned Boost Mobile, Straight Talk, Helium Mobile, Tello, and even Connect by T-Mobile as emergent choices that work out for some people. At the end of the day, these choices are subjective, as what works out for one may not work out for another. This is precisely why we need healthy competition between carriers. These alternative MVNOs show that there are no wrong choices here, and there's something for everyone. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Phone Arena
3 days ago
- Phone Arena
This long-requested iPhone feature finally arrives for Google Fi users
Until now, iPhone users on Google Fi had to use the separate Fi app to check voicemails. This often led to confusion, since voicemail alerts could show up in both the Fi and iOS Phone apps. With this update, voicemail will only appear in the Phone app, where users can play, share, and delete messages just like they would with most other carriers. Additionally, Google Fi says it is phasing out voicemail support in the Fi app for iOS, thus users are being asked to download any voicemails they want to keep before August 13. After that date, those messages will no longer be available in the Fi app, and all voicemail functions will move over to the iPhone's default Phone app. Instructions for downloading messages are available through Google Takeout. Visual voicemail is a standard feature for most carriers on iPhone, so this update helps bring Google Fi closer to what other services already offer. It also reduces the need to juggle between multiple apps just to check voicemail. The update follows a few other recent improvements for Fi users. Google has already made it easier to set up Fi on iPhones, added support for international 5G in over 90 countries with select plans, and introduced data-only eSIMs for tablets. Earlier this year Google Fi rolled out the ability to connect a tablet with a data-only eSIM. | Image credit — Google For many iPhone users on Google Fi, this change will likely make managing voicemail more straightforward. Instead of switching between apps, all voicemail features will now be located in one place — the same app used to make and receive calls. Still, it's important to remember the August 13 deadline, as anyone with saved voicemails in the Fi app should take action before then to avoid losing them. This update may seem small, but it improves the overall experience for iPhone users on Google Fi. In my opinion, keeping voicemail in one place makes the process more convenient and better aligned with what users expect from a modern mobile service. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
The Verge
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Trump Mobile is a bad deal
Trump Mobile launched this morning with a single prepaid wireless plan and the promise of nationwide coverage for $47.45 per month. For that price, you get unlimited talk and texting, international calling, plus 20GB of 'high-speed' cell and hotspot data, which a customer support representative told me is 5G. But while the plan's price might have been selected to appeal to Trump fans (he is the 47th president and was also 45th president), it was certainly not selected to compete aggressively on price. For a prepaid phone service, Trump Mobile is a bad deal. There are cheaper plans than this if you look, basically, anywhere Prepaid plans are usually designed to offer a mix of affordability and flexibility — most of them let you pay or cancel month to month. They usually include fewer perks than post-paid phone plans, but you can generally get a better price. The major carriers all do better if you go straight to their own prepaid brands. For $40 per month, you can get unlimited 5G service from Verizon's prepaid carrier, Visible, from AT&T's prepaid carrier, Cricket, and from T-Mobile's prepaid carrier, Metro. Visible also includes smartwatch coverage at that price. Go beyond the big carriers, and you'll get even better pricing. Google Fi will give you 30GB of 5G data for $35/month. Walmart Family Mobile offers 20GB of 5G for $33.88 per month. Boost Mobile offers 30GB of 5G for $25/month. And Tello offers unlimited data for $25 per month. Even if you're limiting yourself to patriotically branded cell companies, you can do better. US Mobile offers unlimited 5G for $35 per month. And while US Cellular's $40/month plan only has 15GB of high-speed data, it also has an additional 15GB of hot spot data. Of course, every phone plan comes with caveats and loopholes. There's a reason the pricing here is so variable. Some networks may be more aggressive about throttling your data. Others come with restrictions on hot spots. Some have better coverage maps. Trump Mobile's inflated price is bolstered by some unique perks. It includes roadside assistance through Drive America Motor Club with a $100 credit toward towing. It also includes device protection through Omega Mobile Care. This could be a good value, but with service plans like these, what matters is how well they actually work in practice. And it's hard to ascertain how reliable Omega Mobile Care is when it only seems to exist on the Trump Mobile website. (Omega seems to primarily provide auto service; it is also listed as a 'partner' of Drive America.) The market for cellphone service is confusing. The biggest carriers all offer multiple tiers of plans, multiple ways to pay, and different services through subsidiary brands. Meanwhile, smaller providers — known as MVNOs — that operate off the major networks have become so common and easy to create that the SmartLess podcast just launched their own mobile plan. (They charge $30/month.) That's what allows a carrier like Trump Mobile to exist. They don't have to deploy a network or worry about offering great service — they just have to brand it well.
