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Google Fi has dropped US Cellular as an official network partner. T-Mobile is now the only supported network for the Google-owned MVNO (mobile virtual network operator). US Cellular may still be accessible through roaming on Google Fi’s Extended Network, though.
When Google launched its MVNO service in 2015, it relied on T-Mobile and Sprint’s networks for providing wireless services to its customers. The company added US Cellular as its third network partner in the following year. With the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint in 2020, Google Fi users once again had only two network options two choose from. Google didn’t bother adding more options. Instead, it is now trimming the list to just one carrier.
The company hasn’t officially announced this change yet. But its customer support recently told users that support for US Cellular has been dropped. “US Cellular is no longer an official network for Google Fi, but may still be accessible through roaming on our Extended Network,” Google Fi customer support responded to a user query (via). The MVNO has also discontinued its dialer code for manual switching to the carrier.
What this means for users is that they will not be able to manually choose a network. T-Mobile is the only option. Earlier, Google Fi would not only let users manually select a network but also automatically switch to the best possible wireless signal between T-Mobile and US Cellular in areas where both networks are available. That automatic switching isn’t available anymore either.
Thankfully, Google Fi is still offering access to US Cellular when T-Mobile isn’t available. You will also be able to connect to the former network when roaming internationally without incurring any additional charges. But when both networks are available, you will automatically fall to T-Mobile, even if US Cellular has a better signal. You can check Google Fi’s coverage map here to see where its 4G, 5G, and Extended Network are available.
Google Fi recently made its phone plans more attractive
Google Fi is dropping support for US Cellular’s network less than a year after it announced a price cut. In April last year. the MVNO reduced prices of its phone plans by up to $10 per month depending on the number of lines. It also added new perks to make its service more attractive to prospective customers. Users get more high-speed data, hotspot tethering, and support for additional data-only SIMs. It remains to be seen if Google Fi adds a new network partner in the future.