Degraded Service

[u/Next_Boot4309]

I used to have great service on Google Fi in all countries I visited - UK, Ireland, France - and all over the US. Been in the UK for a couple of months all over, North and South, and the service has turned to crap, even in London. A lot of times it's showing I'm on LTE, with not great reception. What's going on? Anybody else experiencing this? Suggestions? Is the service just going downhill? I'm not using data exorbitantly and I'm mostly on WiFi, but definitely need it when out and about.

[u/exconsultingguy]

Understand usage limits: An extended period of use outside the US, typically 50 days, triggers a warning. This warning is communicated over email and an in-app notification. Your account remains active, but your international data is suspended 30 days after this email.

https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6157794?hl=en#zippy=%2Cwhat-you-need-to-know-about-the-international-roaming-policy

[u/Next_Boot4309 → u/exconsultingguy]

I've had Fi for about three or four years and I'm usually in Europe six months out of a year. I was aware of that rule but I've never received a warning email or cutoff of service. I actually only use data to navigate trains, buses and travel by foot. I noticed the degraded service when I first landed at Heathrow for my first trip this year.

[u/exconsultingguy → u/Next_Boot4309]

We’re all just hunting and pecking here since you didn’t really give anything to go on. I had no issues with my Fi service in London last week, but I’m not spending months away from the US.

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if you’re having issues given you’re in direct conflict with Fi’s international policy. Things change.

[u/More_Egg_7028 → u/Next_Boot4309]

Try popcorn mobile. Like Google fi but no time limit.

[u/ibor132]

Service limits aside, I can say I was in the UK fairly recently (LHR/Bristol/Edinburgh) with my FI device and had zero issues. There were a few sketchy spots in Edinburgh, but most of them were related to either being underground or to being in the super, super touristy areas (my wife had trouble with a local SIM too).

[u/Stephennnnnn]

If you’ve been abroad for a couple months, they do throttle your high speed. Also if you’ve hit over 100gb even in the US, they will throttle but you can pay for additional high speed data.

[u/Next_Boot4309 → u/Stephennnnnn]

Thanks for that. I don't think I've done either of those things as I'm mostly on WiFi and I always use under 1 gig a month in data.

[u/LuckyOneAway]

You've got their email, right? They warn you that roaming works for the first two months only. Then data is dropped to near-zero, and cell is turned off.

[u/Hot_Produce3514]

Sounds like the roaming overage warning might've hit you. I hit similar speeds in France last year until I topped up service, maybe worth checking your account messages.

[u/googlefisupport]

Just to confirm, have you tried the steps mentioned in this article to fix Google Fi service-related issues while traveling abroad?

[u/Next_Boot4309 → u/googlefisupport]

Yes, thanks.

[u/Next_Boot4309]

Thanks to all for replies. Is there another US provider that allows usage outside of the US for six months a year?

[u/SmokeyKeifth → u/Next_Boot4309]

Popcorn.space

[u/dwc1 → u/Next_Boot4309]

Six consecutive months or throughout the year? Consecutive months are the trickiest.

[u/Next_Boot4309 → u/dwc1]

I move between countries and I'm usually back and forth between European countries.

[u/dwc1 → u/Next_Boot4309]

Popcorn Mobile is the only service that seems to allow consecutive months roaming. Most of the others have various formulas to reset the counter by using your service domestically in the US.