What phone now?

[RShea]

Vermont is poor for Sprint coverage, and not much better for T-Mobile from a look at the coverage maps.

[PowderHorse]

Yes, Google. I bought 5Xs for the wife and I and moved to Fi in January. They had finished a Black Friday/Pre-Xmas sale not long ago so I figured it would be a while before they offered another one. Could have saved a bundle, fuck!

Ah, right. I hate when that happens!

I know if I pick the 32G 5X I'll love it, esp for $200. However, I really want the 6P and $450 is a great deal (but still a big hit on the budget).

[riser4]

Vermont is poor for Sprint coverage, and not much better for T-Mobile from a look at the coverage maps.

SO how does T-Mobile really perform in VT? Anyone? I have AT&T because it covers a couple of remote spots in Franklin County that Verizon doesn't touch. I need to have at least a slim chance of a text or a call getting through when I am at the farm in South Richford. Verizon couldn't do that for me. T-Mo? Their map widget shows 2G coverage in that spot... If it is really there then that's all I need in that spot. And just as importantly, what is roaming in Southern Quebec going to be like?

[DBdude]

a former co-worker from years ago had t-mobile in washington county, he used a devise that was in essence a mini cell tower. It is now called cellspot. It has a $25 deposit and connects to the internet and can handle 16 lines

as to there coverage, I live a half mile off of route 7 between vergennes and middlebury and google won't sell me a Fi phone because it is 2g coverage...wtf

[riser4]

a former co-worker from years ago had t-mobile in washington county, he used a devise that was in essence a mini cell tower. It is now called cellspot. It has a $25 deposit and connects to the internet and can handle 16 lines

as to there coverage, I live a half mile off of route 7 between vergennes and middlebury and google won't cell me a Fi phone because it is 2g coverage...wtf

I am curious, at what point in the process does it deny you? I haven't gone that far.

[Dantheman]

as to there coverage, I live a half mile off of route 7 between vergennes and middlebury and google won't cell me a Fi phone because it is 2g coverage...wtf

Could you use some other address (i.e, work) as your "primary" address?

Since Fi is still basically "infancy" level, I imagine they are trying hard to avoid bad press. There are undoubtedly morons out there in similar areas that would sign up and then post incessantly to social media about how the data speeds suck on Fi.

[DBdude]

I am curious, at what point in the process does it deny you? I haven't gone that far.

it asks for your zip, at the start of the purchase process

[RShea]

SO how does T-Mobile really perform in VT? Anyone? I have AT&T because it covers a couple of remote spots in Franklin County that Verizon doesn't touch. I need to have at least a slim chance of a text or a call getting through when I am at the farm in South Richford. Verizon couldn't do that for me. T-Mo? Their map widget shows 2G coverage in that spot... If it is really there then that's all I need in that spot. And just as importantly, what is roaming in Southern Quebec going to be like?

You could get a T-Mobile prepaid sim and a few minutes on a card if needed and test it out on your existing phone if you can unlock it. There are a number of dual sim phones out there if in fact you wanted to go that route with a single device.

[riser4]

You could get a T-Mobile prepaid sim and a few minutes on a card if needed and test it out on your existing phone if you can unlock it. There are a number of dual sim phones out there if in fact you wanted to go that route with a single device.

My available unlocked phones are a Moto G and a Moto E. So there's the T-Mo band 12 issue. [Also an issue on Nexus phones but supposedly fixed with 6.0.1.] However, what I am testing is 2G coverage out in the sticks, so that appears to be band 2.

I'd love to have a dual SIM phone just because all phones should be dual SIM because some of my favorite phones are sold that way in other markets. Grrrrr. However, I only need the dual SIM for the once every few years I might go to somewhere out of the US other than Canada. And Fi if I get it appears to be a better solution regarding casual travel to Canada, depending on coverage, again, looking like 2G in the sticks. I had once upon a time thought it might be nice to have a Canadian SIM and a US SIM but it really isn't worth it for what I do.

Either way, the sale ends soon, so I need to make up my mind. I am leaning against it at the moment.

[RShea]

The Asus GSM Zenfone 2 has dual sim slots in it- about the same price on Amazon as the cheaper Nexus phone. If you need Canadian calling, again could get a Rogers or some prepaid option for that side of the boarder.

[stfu&gbtw]

Just getting to the end of day one with the Z5 Compact. Loving it... Integration is super tight, and the form factor is great.

[riser4]

The Asus GSM Zenfone 2 has dual sim slots in it- about the same price on Amazon as the cheaper Nexus phone. If you need Canadian calling, again could get a Rogers or some prepaid option for that side of the boarder.

I looked briefly at that and a few others before I bought my current Moto G, 3rd gen. They didn't stack up value wise. Especially since they sell a dual sim G in parts of Asia. Bastards. And like I said I don't need Canadian calling frequently enough to get a card. Cell phone plans are expensive in Canada.

[RShea]

I looked briefly at that and a few others before I bought my current Moto G, 3rd gen. They didn't stack up value wise. Especially since they sell a dual sim G in parts of Asia. Bastards. And like I said I don't need Canadian calling frequently enough to get a card. Cell phone plans are expensive in Canada.

You do not get a plan you go prepaid for the times you need the service... or there are some US prepaid carriers that have International offerings add on cards to use them while in Canada.

[riser4]

You do not get a plan you go prepaid for the times you need the service... or there are some US prepaid carriers that have International offerings add on cards to use them while in Canada.

I've looked at quite a lot of prices and options, so if you have some specific plans, carriers, products, etc, let me know. The only thing that appears economical is Fi and the coverage seems a little sketchy. I really need AT&T to follow T-Mo and come up with some better international rates. And this is all in regards to my phone. It is even more complicated when I start trying to do something about a phone for my 88 yo father in law who goes grocery shopping in Canada a few times a month.

[RShea]

There are a number of discussions on Howard Forums including this most recent thread on the prepaid carriers.
http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...roaming-abroad which is more than just Canada, but a starting point (there are probably other older discussions for Canada only
https://snapr.pw/i/ead1b3fbb9.png
http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...ghlight=Canada

And to play with some things to test, Ting has a $25 credit that you can sign up for. Then you can look at their International rates chart here: https://ting.com/outside_usa

There is also a full section of the Canada prepaid offerings (with rates spelled out) - 7 Eleven, etc on the Canada Prepaid section if you want to go that route.

[riser4]

There are a number of discussions on Howard Forums including this most recent thread on the prepaid carriers.
http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...roaming-abroad which is more than just Canada, but a starting point (there are probably other older discussions for Canada only
https://snapr.pw/i/ead1b3fbb9.png
http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...ghlight=Canada

And to play with some things to test, Ting has a $25 credit that you can sign up for. Then you can look at their International rates chart here: https://ting.com/outside_usa

There is also a full section of the Canada prepaid offerings (with rates spelled out) - 7 Eleven, etc on the Canada Prepaid section if you want to go that route.

Thanks for looking.

I've already looked at most of those. The price points just aren't there when looking at the total picture. Fi has the price point with the capabilities that I am looking for. It just doesn't have quite the right network footprint.

7-Eleven would be good except Quebec. Grrrr. No local places to get a SIM or a refill card and all the people I know that might possibly be willing to put it on their CC have Quebec CCs. You can't use a Quebec CC. The Land of Poutine is exactly where I frequent. I'll keep 7-11 in mind if any of my kids go to school in BC.

Dual SIM phones are frustrating because the affordable ones just don't compare to the single SIM phones in the same price class. And the same single SIM phones that I like have dual SIM versions that just aren't sold in the US and or with US frequencies.

Of the things you linked that are new to me:

Ting has crappier coverage based on its map than Fi. I find that sort of peculiar since they both use the same underlying networks, so what am I missing? For local coverage testing, T-Mo prepaid is probably more cost efficient. Both will have the band 12 issue based on my available phones. Realistically the best path is trying Fi for a month and then if I don't like it, I will end up with a better phone and keep my old service. I am trying to decide if that is worth it.

Lycamobile roaming in Canada is new to me and this sounded like a good option to solve issue of the [basic]phone for my Father In Law. Except it looks like they ditched the option to just buy minutes and now you have to buy a monthly plan. I scoured their website. Cost wise that is the same as what I have for him now [which is a basic phone on my AT&T family share plan]. Otherwise, that would have been a good way to go. If he didn't go to Canada a few times a month in a beater car, I would have him on a pre-paid AT&T MVNO like H20 in a heartbeat. He has a hard enough time keeping track of one phone that he hardly ever uses. If I gave him a second, Canada only, phone it would be a disaster.

[RShea]

Thanks for looking.

I've already looked at most of those. The price points just aren't there when looking at the total picture. Fi has the price point with the capabilities that I am looking for. It just doesn't have quite the right network footprint.

7-Eleven would be good except Quebec. Grrrr. No local places to get a SIM or a refill card and all the people I know that might possibly be willing to put it on their CC have Quebec CCs. You can't use a Quebec CC. The Land of Poutine is exactly where I frequent. I'll keep 7-11 in mind if any of my kids go to school in BC.



Of the things you linked that are new to me:

Ting has crappier coverage based on its map than Fi. I find that sort of peculiar since they both use the same underlying networks, so what am I missing? For local coverage testing, T-Mo prepaid is probably more cost efficient. Both will have the band 12 issue based on my available phones. Realistically the best path is trying Fi for a month and then if I don't like it, I will end up with a better phone and keep my old service. I am trying to decide if that is worth it.

Ting is probably ONLY the T-Mobile prepaid map coverage, not the T-Mobile plus Sprint map that Project Fi is most likely set up with.

It all depends on how bad you want a phone to work and the budget you have in mind.

Again as for the dual sim, read the reviews on the Asus Zenfone series, do not think you would be making any compromises unless you really only want an Apple Iphone.

[PowderHorse]

My new Nexus 5X just arrived so I'm going to use it with Fi and my old Google Voice # for a couple of weeks and keep my VZ line active as well. Will most likely port my number over from VZ if all goes well. I ordered the phone on Google Store, 32G for $249 with free shipping.

The Nexus 5X is the perfect size and makes my 2-year old Moto X look like a tiny kids phone.

I'll be all over Boulder County the next few days so can't wait to give it a test run with Fi service.

[El Chupacabra]

I bought the Nexus 5X, received it last week. Activated on Project Fi and ran through all the system updates. Seems fine - no noticeable lag to anything.

Coverage is OK driving around Reno and up over Mt Rose highway. I don't have any coverage inside my house, but I have 4G on Sprint when standing just outside the house. Weird. Doesn't really matter, because voice calls over wifi work great -- sound quality is fine on both ends of the call.

I emailed Project Fi support to ask if there was any minimum period of time to maintain service, in order to retain the discounted purchase price on the phone. They emailed back within 10 minutes and stated that there was no minimum period, and I could cancel at any time for a pro-rated refund.

I canceled my Project Fi account, and will move the phone over to Verizon, until our contract period ends in July. Then I'm switching back to Project Fi, as the coverage will work for me, and it's still going to be cheaper than staying on VZ.

[riser4]

I bought the Nexus 5X, received it last week. Activated on Project Fi and ran through all the system updates. Seems fine - no noticeable lag to anything.

Coverage is OK driving around Reno and up over Mt Rose highway. I don't have any coverage inside my house, but I have 4G on Sprint when standing just outside the house. Weird. Doesn't really matter, because voice calls over wifi work great -- sound quality is fine on both ends of the call.

I emailed Project Fi support to ask if there was any minimum period of time to maintain service, in order to retain the discounted purchase price on the phone. They emailed back within 10 minutes and stated that there was no minimum period, and I could cancel at any time for a pro-rated refund.

I canceled my Project Fi account, and will move the phone over to Verizon, until our contract period ends in July. Then I'm switching back to Project Fi, as the coverage will work for me, and it's still going to be cheaper than staying on VZ.

VZ allows BYOP? I thought that was strictly forbidden.

[RShea]

Most all carriers allow bring your own "APPROVED" device. They also differentiate between the contract and prepaid phones on allowing them to be used in some cases. Lenovo (which now owns Motorola) is offering some of their models only on their web site now with limited models sold through the carriers as one example. FYI Google owned them before Lenovo picked up the cell division.

[RShea]

Actually I was pricing out plans for a customer through Verizon. They have a deal with unlimited talk/text and then you pick the size of data usage you need. Monthly fee is $30 and up, but if you have a smart phone that is being paid for add $20 per month. If you bring your own phone, then I think it does not incur the $20 per month charge. Likewise, if you still use the phone after the 2 years it also drops from the monthly per line charges. That makes purchasing a phone elsewhere or bring your own device a much faster payback.

New stuff if you are on the old style plans that usually started around $45 per month and up.

[riser4]

SO I am hoping this all eventually leads to a situation where one can eventually have AT&T and VZ on the same phone with both SIMs active AND on one of the pure Android phones such as Nexus or Motorola, although the latter have had their day in the sun and are not all that anyore. It is not because I like either VZ or AT&T. It is because unlike a T-Mo and Sprint combo, AT&T and VZ would give me the coverage I need. T-Mo and VZ would be a second choice. While the deal on the Nexus 5x is tempting, I don't really need a new phone right now and have other bills to pay. I can live with my current coverage for now. I was however eyeing the MagicSIM and had thoughts of trying to get VZ and AT&T to work together on the 5x. Problem is, the MS only lets one SIM be active at a time. And there may well be other gotchas. So far it looks like to use a 5x on VZ you can't just walk into a store, you have to buy a$45 SIM online or have an already active SIM. El Chupacabra, did you take your 5x to VZ yet?

[El Chupacabra]

Actually I was pricing out plans for a customer through Verizon. They have a deal with unlimited talk/text and then you pick the size of data usage you need. Monthly fee is $30 and up, but if you have a smart phone that is being paid for add $20 per month. If you bring your own phone, then I think it does not incur the $20 per month charge. Likewise, if you still use the phone after the 2 years it also drops from the monthly per line charges. That makes purchasing a phone elsewhere or bring your own device a much faster payback.

^^ This is accurate. Our VZ service has 3 phones on it, sharing 6gb data. 1 of the 3 phones is out of contract, and the monthly fee for it is $20. For the 2 of the 3 phones are are in contract, the monthly fee is $40.

So far it looks like to use a 5x on VZ you can't just walk into a store, you have to buy a$45 SIM online or have an already active SIM. El Chupacabra, did you take your 5x to VZ yet?

I haven't yet, but will soon. I will need a new SIM card for the 5x because it uses a nano SIM, and my current VZ phone uses a micro SIM. It's active, so I assume VZ will just give me one at a store -- guess I'll find out soon. If they won't, apparently you can cut down a micro and it will fit (and work) in a nano slot.

[RShea]

I purchased a Verizon 4G Sim on Ebay for like $5.00 or so... Then I ended up going a different direction and still have it somewhere, so you can get around the $45 price you mentioned. You could also do the CDMA via a prepaid plan and they all have their own Sims that are available directly from the MVNO or dealers. One Sim with prepaid would be something to consider as you could do a much cheaper plan that Verizon or AT&T would offer if it was only backup use.