I don't need a new phone and I don't need to pay for Verizon's high-priced service. So, I started looking around. Google Fi seemed like a good choice. Inexpensive, no contract, $20 month, good service, good coverage. I'd been lusting after a new S21 Ultra...even though I don't need a new phone...and with the promos and the monthly savings the phone would cost me very little. So I started service and ordered the phone.

The phone arrived and I tried to port my number over from Verizon. That's when the trouble started. Verizon gave me the info I needed to pass on to Google Fi right away to port the number. Google Fi promptly fucked everything up. It took over 24 hours just to activate the phone. Then I kept getting an error message when I tried to make a call: "Your phone's not registered to a network." Thus began the over 24 hours of trying to resolve the issue with Google Fi tech support. Tried all the normal stuff with no success. I kept telling them I thought it was due to no cell signal because I was only getting one bar on the signal strength meter or the no service symbol. "Oh, no. We have the service there. There is another problem and we are working to have it resolved quickly for you to enjoy your phone." Yeah? Well I'm not enjoying it. I'm getting more irritated by the minute.

Finally, after removing/reinstalling the SIM card numerous times and trying all the canned tech support advice without success my issue was "elevated" to a "Dedicated Support Team". I was told it was so important this team would reach out to me via email...within 24 to 72 hours. Your Dedicated Support Team can kiss my ass.

They can best support me by cancelling my service and refunding my money. What a pain in the ass.

Then, after I'd already cancelled the service, the "Dedicated Support Team" sends me an email and says I have no indoor coverage at my location. No shit? Really? Why didn't I figure that out? Oh, wait...I did. I told you that in my initial round of emails...and it showed "no service" on the screenshots I sent tech support. No wonder you're on the "Dedicated Support Team". For fuck's sake...

I'm gonna try Pure Talk USA. They seem to get good reviews and they use AT&T networks and I know AT&T works at my home.

So beware of Google Fi if you're thinking of new cell service. They use T-Mobile networks and T-Mobile apparently doesn't do coverage well in rural areas. Signal boosters don't work with them, either, because of the frequency band of their signals apparently.