Project FI "free" second line?

[Ynari]

My nexus 5x kicked the bucket yesterday, so I've been griping about having to buy a new phone. While looking around, I noticed that you can order data-only Fi SIM cards intended for tablets, which don't have a monthly fee, just the $10/gb for data.

My SO is on my plan, so we pay $20 (my line) + $15 (his line) + data. What's stopping us from cutting one of the lines, putting a data-only SIM in his device and calling it a day?

I guess he'd have to do the google voice hacks to keep phone capabilities (and potentially pay like $20 to keep his number if he wants to) but that seems relatively minor in comparison with saving $15/mo. Am I missing something?

[Syonyk]

I'd consider a reliable phone I didn't have to hack with to keep voice working worth $15/mo.  Just me...

[Ynari]

Ah, sorry, I forgot the connotations "hack" carries. This "hack" is about as complex as setting up a new email account and downloading a different app.

I found out the "data only" SIM only slightly different coverage than the phone SIM. FI uses t-mobile for most things, and Sprint LTE in areas where t-mobile is slow. The data-only one only uses T-mobile, but that seems like another minor thing.

I've ordered the SIM card and we'll try it out before cancelling the 2nd line, but we'll let you all know how it goes.

[Syonyk]

"Google Voice Hacks" sounds like something that is likely to randomly break, without warning...

[StetsTerhune]

My wife and I are on (one) project file account. I am on a normal sim and my wife on the data only sim (on her iPhone). My 5X died and I moved to a Moto g4, and haven't had any issues. My wife just has a Google voice number and uses FaceTime/iMessage. We have had no issues whatsoever.

[Dexterous]

Am I missing something?

Nope, it works.

On a separate note -- my 5x died as well and was replaced out of warranty through Fi.  My wife's 6p got a different bootloop issue shortly afterwards, and was not replaced through the Google Store.  We're attempting to use the American Express Platinum card benefit to get it refunded, and unfortunately had to ditch Fi altogether due to living overseas.

[SomedayStache]

My Nexus 5x got stuck in the boot loop last week.  I was a few days out of warranty through the Google store.  Ugh.
Luckily LGs warranty for this issue is 13 months (vs the one year Google warranty) and I got it fixed for free, but had to mail my phone in and go without a phone for about nine days.

Looking at all the very expensive Google fi phones which are now available I feel like the $200 Nexus available last year was a bait and switch.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Ynari]

Mine managed to survive 2 years and 2 months, which makes me upset about "planned obsolescence", but most other people I know had multiple problems and got multiple replacements, so I guess I'm lucky?

Ordered the Moto X4 as a replacement, which ends up being ~$15/mo on their 0% interest payment plan, which is the same as we will be saving getting rid of the second line. So we won't be noticing a change in our bill, and if the X4 lasts beyond the 2 year payment plan we'll actually be coming out ahead. Silver linings.

[CBnCO]

We've been doing this exact thing for the past two years and no problems (and no line charge!). I use the data SIM with Google Voice/Hangouts; and, while I have to admit that it's not as reliable (mostly Hangouts app) as normal mobile voice service, for the less than $10 per month I use in data it's a great deal. FYI..I use the SIM on an unlocked iPhone and the data connections and speed work great.

[Syonyk]

FYI..I use the SIM on an unlocked iPhone and the data connections and speed work great.

Oh?

I'm coming up to the end of my AT&T contract, and just don't use my phone that much - this actually works if I get my phone unlocked?

//EDIT: Oh, never mind.  All it can use is T-Mobile, which has awful service out here.  Pretty sure my Fi device lives on Sprint.

[sequoia]

We've been doing this exact thing for the past two years and no problems (and no line charge!). I use the data SIM with Google Voice/Hangouts; and, while I have to admit that it's not as reliable (mostly Hangouts app) as normal mobile voice service, for the less than $10 per month I use in data it's a great deal. FYI..I use the SIM on an unlocked iPhone and the data connections and speed work great.

hmm... I need to look into this further. We are using Tmobile pre-paid which is $100 per year for voice only (no data), but we do not even use that. Last year we only use ~$30 out of $100. The pre-paid roll over to the following year, and the amount just keep getting larger. This sounds like something that would be more useful to us.

I am not clear on using this on iPhone. So one need an unlocked iPhone to do this (got it!), but does this SIM goes into the regular SIM slot? Or are you using one of those phone that can do dual SIM?

This is truly an MMM problem, how do I save even more money when I only spent $100/year on cell phone bill lmao...

[sabertooth3]

I'd be careful about doing the 1 line + data-only because AFAIK Google Voice can't call 911, so if you need to call 911 and your SO isn't around with their regular phone line, you can be SOL. I very well may be wrong, but everything I've read indicates that VoIP can't call 911.

Also can't call other services like 311 or 811 (for digging). Obviously not as big a deal as 911, but still something to consider.

[sequoia]

I'd be careful about doing the 1 line + data-only because AFAIK Google Voice can't call 911, so if you need to call 911 and your SO isn't around with their regular phone line, you can be SOL. I very well may be wrong, but everything I've read indicates that VoIP can't call 911.

Also can't call other services like 311 or 811 (for digging). Obviously not as big a deal as 911, but still something to consider.

That is a very good point. The one important reason we have cell phone is for emergency, especially outside the house.

[DumpTruck]

Any cell phone with no service can still call 911

I sold my Nexus 5x for $180 last week.

I have a 6P with a weak-ass battery as a backup. It's a media player right now but I will replace the battery and sell it soon.

I got the Moto X4 and just tacked the monthly fee onto my cell phone bill that work pays for. They reimburse up to $115 and my bill is only $32 per month so it going up to 45 or 50 doesn't raise an eye.

Anyone with battery life issues should just replace their battery, it's the badass thing to do.

Can't wait to retire so I can go back to a flip phone. I might just go without a phone. On our van trips lately we are without service for days at a time and it feels great never looking at my phone.

[drudgep]

Any phone can call 911- the sim card is just what tells the antennae what cellular carrier to use, what bands etc. The antennae can usually get all of them- the sim card tells them which ones are active for use. 911 is always active- unless their is no service for any carrier, then you are SOL.

Google voice is great- I use it- only concern I have is since it is free how long will it be around- if the end it- no big deal just give me time to move my line over.