Over the past year I’ve been minimizing Google in my life to the point where I could nearly delete my account for good, but I’ve got two decent roadblocks still - their android calling app, and Google Fi.
The former feels like the only one that actually filters out spam somewhat effectively and transcribes voicemails to text, both key features. The default GrapheneOS phone app didn’t seem to compare last I tried.
The bigger hurdle is Google Fi. Frankly in the Northeast US they feel like the only actually affordable carrier, comparable plans at the other big names are practically double the cost or more. I’ve looked into some smaller carriers, but every single one seems to have some controversy or other dogshit dealbreaker.
Any recommendations for these last two things? It’d be huge to finally break off these last couple things. I don’t think I could get to the point where I could totally delete my account (mostly because of a few game logins lmao), but at least I could cut off everything that actually matters.
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Have you looked at visible? It’s a Verizon MVNO that has pretty good prices. If privacy is what you want though, you might have a look at something like Cloaked Wireless since you can pay your phone bill with Monero. I just switched to them for that exact reason myself.
I have actually hit the same hurdles (also predominantly Fi). I found two carriers and have been thinking about switching.
Cape (https://www.cape.co/) seems to be a neat option. It’s an MVNO (just like Fi) and is very privacy oriented. It’s definitely not as affordable as Fi, but it’s not terrible IMO. You’re paying a premium for the privacy aspect after all. It’s $100/mo for unlimited talk, text, and data.
Phreeli (https://www.phreeli.com/): another privacy oriented MVNO (I think it’s an MVNO). Has more affordable plans with prepaid options for data (more similar to Fi in that respect). Their flex plan is unlimited talk and text, with 2GB of data for $25/mo. Each additional 5GB is $20 (with rollover).
I don’t have a recommendation for the phone app as I also have been using it. But I plan on just cold turkeying after I switch carriers.
I’m in the same boat but in the midwest, where there are fewer topographical issues with reception.
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Visible is cheap and easy to deal with
I’ve been using US Mobile for the past year, and I seem to get good coverage on their Warp Speed network, which uses Verizon’s cell towers.
As for the calling app, F- Droid and IzzyOnDroid seem to have comparable alternatives.
Updooting for US Mobile. I pay 25 a month for 70 gbs of internet on my phone. I think I’ve been able to use up all 70 gb once by streaming 4k movies for two weeks straight. You can also use more than one network with US Mobile for an extra 10. i bounce between Verizon’s network and T-Mobile’s network all the time!
