Been putting a lot of work into degoogling my life, and I’m looking to move to GrapheneOS at some point in future. Still a total noob when it comes to tech, but more to the point…
I’ve been a Google Fi subscriber for a few years at this point, and was always a fan of how strong the cell service is. Now that I’m trying to drop google wherever possible, I feel kinda lost when it comes to what cell provider to switch over to. I feel like most everyone I’ve spoken to has a laundry list of complaints about their providers having terrible cell coverage or overpriced data rates. What do you people use for cell service? What’s the best option if I’m looking for security and privacy as well as a decently strong cell coverage?
US Mobile has been pretty good. Cheap, lots of non-throttled data, works on top of all major carriers in the US (not at the same time unless you pay extra), and data speeds have not been an issue so far. Personally, I’ve found that my cell service has functioned better than when I used Google Fi (e.g. I previously had connectivity issues in trains). I’m guessing this is mainly because I use Verizon (Warp) as the underlying carrier on US Mobile instead of T-Mobile.
Other than basic security features like preventing your number from being ported out without your permission and so on, I don’t really worry about security/privacy for the carrier since I just use a VPN (and Tor when necessary).
I’ve used both. US mobile is much cheaper. It’s also monthly or annual. $220 for a year of unlimited data with hotspot is the best deal I’ve found. If you don’t need more than a couple gigs of data, you can go as cheap as $10/mo.
I won’t swear by US mobile, but so far, no regrets from me.
Using US Mobile right now, and pretty happy with it. Cheap, great coverage (you can actually choose the network), great speeds. I’ve also used Mint in the past, and that was pretty good too. Both are very comparable to Fi, but with a lower pricetag.
US Mobile let’s you pick from all 3 main carriers, and I think their newest plans let you use 2 carriers at the same time too.
Its also quite cheap.
I use it but just on the T-Mobile network because thats the only one that works where I am.
Not a customer but am planning on moving to JMPChat. Like Google Fi, it’s a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) service so coverage should be the same as Fi.
A data plan is available which will connect with cell towers but the company claims your location will always be obscured. I can’t say how that is done. I use another voip service called voip.ms and just leave my phone in airplane mode unless I need to use my data plan. Encase you are wondering about voip.ms, there is no privacy with that service.
Can be purchased without any PII (personally identifiable information) and they accept crypto.
Like Google Fi, it’s a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) service so coverage should be the same as Fi.
Strictly speaking Google Fi is a MVNO. After losing Sprint/US Cellular access a while back nowadays they are a T-Mobile reseller e.g. you’re getting access to T-Mobile’s network and coverage with Google Fi.
For what it’s worth my Google Voice phone number does show up as being classified as a VoIP number so that might be more along the lines of what you’re thinking. The phone number I have on Google Fi does not show up as VoIP.
I stand corrected. Thanks for the info.
Following because I’m interested as well. But I’m really interested in what other carriers offer free international data as well. My favorite feature with Fi is that if I go to a different country, Fi just switches over my eSIM automatically. It’s very seamless, and I don’t get charged extra for it.
i’d love to know; i basically use fi because it’s the one carrier that sucks the least so far not because i like them. i just haven’t found anything comparable and as cheap as them.
I’m using Ting right now. Cheapest plan is $10 + 5 per gig. I stay on wifi mostly, so that’s fine for me, but there is an unlimited plan for 25. I switched to it because Google Fi had terrible service in my area. However, both services only lease access to the towers, and which towers they connect to has changed over the years, so YMMV.
What country?
US
In the us try visible, unlimited usage.
You can always use a esim service like Arlo and buy a short term sim to test different networks in your area.
Following because I’m interested.
EE
