HN Explorer

Google Fi is blocking frequent travelers and expats

5 points by mfrommil ↗ HN
I received an email from Google Fi this week. Google claims that I have used too much international data roaming (I typically use around 1gb per month) and have not used the service in the US enough, according to the latest terms & conditions update. I have read through the latest terms & conditions, the acceptable use policy, etc. - and there is nothing specifically stated about this. So, if you are also a Google Fi subscriber and not in the US 100% of the time - be aware, and you may want to consider seeking alternatives soon.

Given how Google tends to kill products/services on a whim, I guess I should have expected something like this at some point. For some reason, as a 5+ year paying customer, owner of multiple generations of Google(Pixel) phones, etc., I didn't expect to be blocked with only a 30 day notice. The lack of transparency, proactive communication, and overall terrible customer experience is making me think hard about subscribing to anything from Google again after this.

5 comments

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akulbe
This is disconcerting, at best. :(

Just out of curiosity, are you at liberty to say which country? the only other country I've gone to with any frequency has been Canada, and I've been a multi-year subscriber, just like you.

I haven't had any issues, so far. <knocking on wood>

UGH.

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jepler
"The Services are offered only to residents of the United States. The Services must be primarily used in the United States (territories not included) and are not intended for extended international use. Further, the Services are designed for use predominantly within our network. If your usage outside our network is excessive, abnormally high, or cause us to incur too much cost, we may, at our option and sole discretion, suspend your Google Fi account, terminate your service, or limit your use of roaming." [https://fi.google.com/about/tos/, click "Welcome to Google Fi"]
gregjor
I used Fi for six years living overseas. I needed a phone with a US number for customers and my family to call. Very handy to have phone and internet service when you step off the plane or train. However Fi is not economical compared to most local carriers. The majority-US usage rules have been around for a while. I never had Google cancel me or do anything. If I stayed anywhere for more than a few days — as expats and digital nomads usually do — I bought a local SIM card. That’s going to cost less than Fi in most places. Usually I could get a SIM with a decent package at the airport. A dual-SIM phone helps.

You can easily find web sites describing cell carriers with coverage maps and costs, for any country. And you can find web sites that tell which carriers work with your phone.

I had a Fi family plan with my son sharing with me, and he was always in the US. That may have tilted my account to majority US usage. I don’t know if Google looks at per-account or per-number usage.

alamortsubite
> So, if you are also a Google Fi subscriber and not in the US 100% of the time - be aware, and you may want to consider seeking alternatives soon.

I used Fi in several countries outside the U.S. in 2021, for a period of over a month, without any issues whatsoever. The service has been very good.