DocLC Posted July 20, 2016 Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 I've just switched to a Nexus 6P after nearly 10 years of using an iPhone. While I'll be using my ATT service on it when I return from there Serenade, I thought I'd try out Google's own service, Google Fi, as it offers unlimited international texts and inexpensive international calling. Data is $10 per gigabyte and they refund any unused data charges. To my surprise, these rates apply on the ship, too, even when using Cellular at Sea. If you travel a lot and use Android, it might be worth checking out although it only works on the Nexus devices so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted July 20, 2016 Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 This is very interesting. I'll admit I'm a bit skeptical for several reasons (including conflicting reports on various forums), but it could be. The one thing I'd remind you is that even if it does work out in this way, data service will be very slow, so if you're looking for anything more than email, Voom will still be the way to go. Please report back though. ps - I'm a 6P user, big fan of the device, I just wish I had longer thumbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted July 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 I will do, Billy. I spoke to Fi Customer Service last night and confirmed. I printed a transcript of the chat as backup just in case. You are right, though, about data spread, 256 kbits I believe. However, Boom in Northern Europe isn't working so well, so I might end up with a better, even if slow, connection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor_to_Cruiser Posted July 20, 2016 Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 I will do, Billy. I spoke to Fi Customer Service last night and confirmed. I printed a transcript of the chat as backup just in case. You are right, though, about data spread, 256 kbits I believe. However, Boom in Northern Europe isn't working so well, so I might end up with a better, even if slow, connection. Fi was great even when Google throttled data connection speeds while abroad to 256Mbps. But that cap has been removed, so now you can get the full speed of the local carrier. This is huge news because it's an unprecedented service. Google claims that it now is "able to deliver speeds 10-20X faster than before." This is a sudden, unexpected and dizzying upgrade from 2G to LTE, where available -- and all for a simple, low price. From: http://www.computerworld.com/article/3095992/wireless-networking/why-google-fi-because-its-fast-cheap-and-easy.html Dated Jul 18, 2016 DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted July 20, 2016 Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 Fi was great even when Google throttled data connection speeds while abroad to 256Mbps. But that cap has been removed, so now you can get the full speed of the local carrier. This is huge news because it's an unprecedented service. Google claims that it now is "able to deliver speeds 10-20X faster than before." This is a sudden, unexpected and dizzying upgrade from 2G to LTE, where available -- and all for a simple, low price. From: http://www.computerworld.com/article/3095992/wireless-networking/why-google-fi-because-its-fast-cheap-and-easy.html Dated Jul 18, 2016 Saw this announcement the other day. Huge for international travel, and makes me really hope that TMO follows suit. That in mind, I don't think the speed issue on board is related to the throttling, but to the capabilities of the onboard cellular networks. To DocLC's point though, it may be faster than non-Voom speeds. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted July 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 Saw this announcement the other day. Huge for international travel, and makes me really hope that TMO follows suit. That in mind, I don't think the speed issue on board is related to the throttling, but to the capabilities of the onboard cellular networks. To DocLC's point though, it may be faster than non-Voom speeds. Good point with regards to Cellular at Sea. However, I suspect I'll be using more land-based cellular this tip as the ship spends five overnights in port. Also, it will be nice to be able to text the wife onboard if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packercruising Posted July 20, 2016 Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 Does it matter who the provider is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted July 20, 2016 Report Share Posted July 20, 2016 Does it matter who the provider is? Google Fi is the carrier. They're an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), which means they resell other carrier's services and repackage the otfferings in terms of pricing and features. Currently, Google Fi is unique in a few ways, primarily in that they don't rely on a single network (they switch between T-Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular, and WiFi), and their pricing is very simplified, $20/mo for text and voice, plus $10/gig of data, pay only for what you use. T-Mobile also includes international roaming, though the speeds are slow, except in the US, Mexico, and Canada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packercruising Posted July 21, 2016 Report Share Posted July 21, 2016 Thanks! Right now I have Republic. It has been $10/month for unlimited wi-fi and cell but not data. I just upgraded to 1/2 GB for $17. I would need to upgrade my phone to get more and we do not get real good cell reception where we live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted August 1, 2016 Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 I have used TMobile in a bunch of ports and countries, it is noticeably slower than US LTE service but for facebook/web surfing its not bad. Posted batches of about 40 photos at a time to Facebook off my Nexus 6P at each port of call in Europe last week and had no issues ... a minute or two to upload them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted August 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2016 I had full LTE service in all of the Baltic ports, although it would switch to 3G when sailing out to sea. I was able to use Periscope a couple of dozen times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 15, 2016 Report Share Posted August 15, 2016 It still is a mystery to find one carrier to handle the major western caribbean ports without roaming. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted August 15, 2016 Report Share Posted August 15, 2016 It still is a mystery to find one carrier to handle the major western caribbean ports without roaming. To me, it seems Fi is that carrier - just doesn't work for the ammount of data I use. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted August 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2016 To me, it seems Fi is that carrier - just doesn't work for the ammount of data I use. Me neither. I'm back to my grandfathered unlimited plan, but will keep the Fi sim for travels next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted August 15, 2016 Report Share Posted August 15, 2016 Me neither. I'm back to my grandfathered unlimited plan, but will keep the Fi sim for travels next year. I was going to get a Fi SIM just for travel (I use Google Voice, so switching numbers doesn't matter to me), but it would end up costing me a good bit just sitting there. If I could freeze it for 6+ months a year I'd be good, but it's capped at 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted August 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2016 I was going to get a Fi SIM just for travel (I use Google Voice, so switching numbers doesn't matter to me), but it would end up costing me a good bit just sitting there. If I could freeze it for 6+ months a year I'd be good, but it's capped at 3. True about freezing, but you can just cancel and then create a new account months later. The only issue is that you're issued a new phone number, which isn't an issue for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monorailmedic Posted August 15, 2016 Report Share Posted August 15, 2016 True about freezing, but you can just cancel and then create a new account months later. The only issue is that you're issued a new phone number, which isn't an issue for you. Thought about it, but seems a pain. I'd pay for the convinience of not doing that, but I reject the going rate of said convinience. I'm hard to please. I bother TMO pretty regularly (via customer service chat, phone, and twitter) about how great it would be if they'd follow suit and offer LTE in countries other than Mexico and Canada. They have a highspeed package for international, but it's garbage. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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