G+_Adam Goddard Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Hey everyone, I have a question I'm hoping you guys can help me with. I recently moved from NY to NC. I'm currently on T-Mobile and my coverage down here is nothing compared to NY. I'm thinking of switching to Google Fi since I'll be on Wi-Fi mostly (currently a stay at home dad), so I don't need as much cellular data. I'd probably be good with Basics + 1 GB ($30) vs my current T-Mobile plan ($90 Unlimited). Plus I'd be able to buy a new phone (6X) and still save money per month (would go up to $50 a month with the pay over time option) I'm hoping you guys have experience and can give me some advice on the matter, whether it be the phones or the service, or the payment plan or the insurance. Any thoughts or opinions on the overall expierence is appreciated. Thanks in advance everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve Hull Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 With that coverage issue you have to be careful because sprint has a lot of holes in NC since they lost Nextel years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alan M Carlino Jr Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Can either of you folks point me in the direction of a legit coverage map? According to T-Mobile I should have fairly decent coverage at home, so I'm thinking maybe it's a hardware issue? Or maybe their map is complete bs. For reference me and my fiance both have Nexus 5's. I have no cellular coverage at home whereas she does, though she's on AT&T. Price wise is cheaper and can't get worse coverage than none. Thanks for the input and any further as well. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joseph Cappellino Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Also, the phone will matter. IIRC, not many phones support LTE band 12 on T-Mobile, so going to Fi with a 6P might actually help. I am currently testing it out (was on T-Mobile), and the places where T-Mobile was lacking (inside large buildings) is coming in better. Additionally, where they will don't work, Sprint is picking up the rear. I can't speak for NC, yet. I'll be down there in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alan M Carlino Jr Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Thanks guys for the great help. Matthew J. Garrison? I'm aware Fi doesn't work for my phone. It's part of the reason I was considering switching. Financing a 6P + Fi is still cheaper than my T-Mobile bill. I'm going to see if anyone has Sprint around me, see how there coverage is. But Fi also can make calls on WiFi if I'm correct so that solves my biggest problem of no service at home. That by the way is the biggest issue. But I'm not expecting much, our fastest download speed is 1.6 MB/s on a wired connection. It's painful. Thanks again guys, you folks are awesome. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alan M Carlino Jr Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Joseph Cappellino? I'm leaning towards Fi + 6P, just gonna go over the details with the missus. If I do dive in, I'll happily give feedback on the service down here (currently Wake Forest, NC). Not sure what parts you'll be in, but if I can help, I'd be glad to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jim Wall Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Alan M Carlino Jr? for an independent coverage map using data from other users of the app try the Sensorly app - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sensorly.viewer As I said coverage data is generated by other users of the app so, I can't guarantee that coverage for your area will be marked on it but, it's not generated by phone companies so, it's about as impartial as you can get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jonathan Mayer Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Alan M Carlino Jr Try http://www.sensorly.com/map for actual coverage maps. At least to get a better idea between all carriers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ted Fishman Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 You don't necessarily need project FI if you don't want to go that route. Your indoor coverage with tmobile may be a problem unless you have LTE band 12 which penetrates walls. If you don't have band 12 (like in the Triad area of NC) you will still be ok as long as you get a phone that has LTE bands 2, 4, and 12, VoLTE, and wifi calling. Again, you don't need FI for wifi calling. The phones that support the 3 LTE bands, VoLTE, and wifi calling are most of the new tmobile-branded phones. As far as unlocked phones, you've got the nexus 6, 6p, and 5x. I live in a rural Triad NC area, own a 6p, and my coverage and reception are excellent. Just stick with one of the aforementioned devices. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alan M Carlino Jr Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Jim Wall Jonathan Mayer Thanks for the coverage map info, I'll be checking that out. Ted Fishman This is why I'm considering Fi. I have to drop data down on my current plan, which will save me $30. Either way, the Nexus 5 doesn't seem capable of WiFi calling, which is my best option other than a landline when at home (I live in Wake Forest currently). So if I get Fi, and finance a 6P over 24 months, it's only roughly 5 to 10 dollars more than dropping to the free data tier on T-Mobile. So the ability to acquire a new phone and save money as opposed to only saving money is good. Really the biggest reason I have T-Mo is the lack of contracts, and since Fi is the same, and I'm all in on Google, why not. Just wanted to check with other users that it was a decent service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ted Fishman Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Alan M Carlino Jr If you get FI please report back. I'm anxious to hear from a local user as to how well it works. I'm guessing you'll be pleased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joseph Cappellino Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Alan M Carlino Jr - I'll be heading to Mooresville, NC. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alan M Carlino Jr Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Ted Fishman Joseph Cappellino Hey guys, I just purchased Fi and the 6P today. I'm expecting it tomorrow by 8PM. Given that I won't have a case for a few days, I won't be using it all that much, I don't want my 16 month old breaking it. But as I use it both around Wake Forest, and Raleigh-Durham areas, I'll report back either on this post or a new one (don't worry I'll plus you on it if I do). Really big thanks to everybody who gave advice, it's really appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ted Fishman Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Alan M Carlino Jr? Good luck and I hope it works out. Anxious to hear because I may try FI myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Joseph Cappellino Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Awesome! Good luck! The Mooresville area should be okay. I had T-Mobile the last time I went, but I didn't have the 6P so my service was a little spotty. Also, my in-laws that I visit have Sprint, and they seem to do okay with it. So, I'm expecting Fi to be great down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Corey Leighton Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Alan M Carlino Jr? the Nexus 5, I believe, doesn't support band 12, which allowed T-Mobile to expand their coverage by quite a bit lately. You'll like the 6P... Phone's incredible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jonathan Mayer Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 The 5X has had band 12 supported by t-mobile, since they turned it on in 6.0.1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alan M Carlino Jr Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Corey Leighton?? That is the case. My wife has a Nexus 5 on AT&T and as long as she's not in the house she gets decent service. I get nothing on T-Mobile. To say the least, I'm watching my FedEx shipment like a hawk. Jonathan Mayer?? I have the 5, not the 5X. No Band 12 for me (at least until "by 8PM tonight", hopefully). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jonathan Mayer Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Alan M Carlino Jr Sorry, missed that point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alan M Carlino Jr Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 Jonathan Mayer All good. Probably most people didn't expect the Nexus 5 to still be a thing after Ron Richards broke his. And I must update. I get 2G on my Nexus 5 outside of my house only. Which is a bit inconvenient, especially when I'm supposed to be watching my son. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alan M Carlino Jr Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 https://plus.google.com/+AlanCarlinoJr85/posts/N4aH4Ca9G91 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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