The problem with MVNOs, at least that I'm noticing as a Google Fi subscriber, is I believe MVNOs are deprioritized. In a congested area, folks who have direct service with Verizon or T-Mobile seem to have better reception and bandwidth than I do.
It feels crazy-making to me that information like this only exists in Reddit threads. Prioritization is, IMO, a totally valid way to price differentiate. But it should be clearly stated when you’re buying in the same way GB data limits are.
Its widely accepted that Google Pixel's radio is weaker than the competition. Google stopped using Qualcomm chipsets on Google Pixel 6. (Or the last time Google used a Qualcomm radio in its phones was in Pixel 5 generation).
I'm sure Google is working on making its radio better, but it still a shame that of all the things they decided to cut to make it cheaper / hit the $600 pricepoint (instead of the $800+ flagship tier) is... the radio.
On the other hand, I hear that Qualcomm is basically raising prices behind the scenes, which is what's causing all of this in the first place.
> Qualcomm is basically raising prices behind the scenes
> it still a shame that of all the things they decided to cut to make it cheaper / hit the $600 pricepoint (instead of the $800+ flagship tier) is... the radio.
If it's truly a shame that they went to a lower-performing competitor then maybe Qualcomm thinks that their modem is worth more than they were charging because they provide a superior product.
True but it’s unclear how much the performance difference is from Qualcomm delivering value vs. Qualcomm destroying competitors’ value through blatant patent trolling.
I admit that it seems to be an abuse of the patent system in some regards.
But its not patent trolling. Qualcomm is making a real product and truly selling it. Anyone who wants that product is allowed to buy from Qualcomm or even license it for their own use.
A "Patent Troll" is someone who has no intention of even making the product, sitting on the patents suing everyone. Its far worse than what Qualcomm is doing here. In effect, a "Patent Troll" kills the technology. The "troll" has no ability (or intention) to actually make the tech, yet still prevents everyone else from making the tech.
Deprioritization has no effect on your radio signal. What it means is that your radio has connected just fine, its just waiting for everyone else to talk before you can talk.
If you really were getting a bad signal, then... that's a Radio module problem. So I'd check to see if your radio was below par (ex: Pixel 6/7/8, or the myriad of midrange phones like Samsung A(whatever)). Qualcomm quality radios cost a lot extra these days, unfortunately.
Not all MVNOs are deprioritized. Many are, but the Reddit thread mentioned in a sibling comment outlines it well.
Been with Verizon Wireless for 20 years. Got sick of how expensive their entry level 5G plan was with deprioritized data. Switched to US Mobile a few months ago. Half the price month-to-month, good prioritized data pool (35GB), and 5G UW access.
The US Mobile CEO is active on their subreddit and is attempting interesting things, such as allowing you to port between 2 major carriers (and soon all 3) up to 8 times a month as needed, and a beta of dual carrier coverage at a reduced price.
MVNOs are definitely often deprioritized, as I experienced with Visible wireless where I'd often have no data access despite having 2-3 bars of service. Switched a year or two ago to US Mobile which is apparently one of the few that is not deprioritized on the Verizon network (bizarrely as long as your phone is 5G capable, even when only using 4G). So there's options out there without paying $70/mo for Verizon postpaid.
Visible is 100% owned by Verizon and therefore technically not a MVNO. I use Visible and my wife is on Verizon. Her service is provided through her employer. Sometimes she has better data than I do and sometimes I have better data. For instance during a recent trip to Puerto Rico she struggled to receive reliable data and I had no issues. Don’t think it has anything to do with prioritization. I recently upgraded to the yearly Visible+ plan since I added an Apple Watch and will be traveling to Vancouver frequently in the next year. It includes 50GB of Verizon premium tier data and then you fall back to whatever prioritization normal Visible has. It also includes 2GB a day in Canada and Mexico along with Apple Watch service. $395 for the year which is around $32.92 a month.
I believe if you get the higher-priced Visible plan (Visible+), you have higher/equivalent to postpaid priority. I switched to this plan a year ago from Verizon, in an area where being deprioritized on any of the carriers means it's useless much of the day, and it's been great.
For anyone wondering, voice/data on Visible's entry-level $25/mo plan is deprioritized in times of congestion, and their $45/mo plan is not. Hotspot usage is throttled on both, differently. You can read the full details on their plans page [0] by pressing the "Get all the details" buttons.
Visible $25/mo:
> Typical 4G LTE & 5G download speeds are 9-149 Mbps. Video streams in SD. In times of traffic, your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic.
> Visible includes mobile hotspot with unlimited data at speeds up to 5 Mbps. Video streams in SD. While more than 1 device may be connected to your Hotspot at one time, a single connected device will experience optimal speeds. Performance will be reduced if multiple devices access data through the Hotspot simultaneously. Actual data speed, availability and coverage will vary based on device capabilities, usage, your location and network availability. Service is not available while roaming.
Visible $45/mo:
> Visible+ gives you unlimited premium data on Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network, the fastest 5G network access we offer — up to 10X faster than median 4G LTE speeds. Premium data means no data slowdowns due to prioritization. Download apps, games, entire playlists and TV series in seconds.
> Visible+ also gives you 50 GB/mo of premium data on Verizon's award-winning 5G & 4G LTE networks when 5G Ultra Wideband is unavailable. Premium data means no data slowdowns due to prioritization.
> Typical 4G LTE & 5G download speeds are 9-149Mbps. Video streams in SD. After 50 GB, in times of traffic, your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic.
Google Fi is not deprioritized AFAIK and it's been discussed in the MVNO subreddit a bit.
That being said, most ARE and they are damn near unusable now in places that are growing.
Here in Orlando, Mint mobile can't even stream Spotify if you are stuck in traffic, that's how bad it has gotten. Forget being downtown or at an event of any kind.
I use Google fi specifically because its not lower priority.
There’s different levels of priority within the same mobile networks, at all of them. MVNOs are just a price discrimination tool. It’s all the same electromagnetic waves being sold at different price points and priorities.
ATT just increased their higher priced consumer plan by $7 per month.
I think it'll continue to be. T-Mobile needs to differentiate services somehow & last I checked, subscribers on T-Mobile's older in-house + low-cost brand, Metro, generally received low priority relative to customers on T-mobile-branded plans
