How good is Google Fi coverage?
In this article we will cover:
Let's dive in!
The above statistics come from our analysis of the FCC signal strength data for the contiguous United States. The statistics ignore coverage data for Alaska and Hawaii. You can still see coverage data for Alaska and Hawaii in the interactive map below and in the table that shows cellular coverage by state.
Google Fi is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that operates on T-Mobile.
By utilizing T-Mobile’s existing infrastructure, Google Fi is able to offer affordable plans without compromising on the quality of service.
Check Google Fi coverage in your area by using search bar in the interactive coverage maps below:
Measure your cellular data speeds. Compare cellular coverage. Completely free.
Google Fi uses the T-Mobile network to provide coverage.
Since Google Fi relies on T-Mobile, its coverage is essentially the same as that of T-Mobile.
This means that Google Fi offers extensive 4G LTE and 5G coverage across the country.
You may have heard or read about Google Fi using other networks for coverage. That’s because previously, Google Fi used T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular to provide service.
However, since the Sprint-T-Mobile merger, Sprint and T-Mobile have become one network, and Google Fi recently stopped using US Cellular for coverage as of February 28th, 2023.
The only network Google Fi uses for coverage right now is the T-Mobile network.
Google Fi rides on T-Mobile’s 5G network, which covers 98% of the U.S. population.
T-Mobile Extended Range 5G covers 325 million people with usable 5G speeds and service.
T-Mobile Ultra Capacity 5G covers 275 million people with super fast 5G speeds.
T-Mobile, and as a result Google Fi, has the largest 5G networks in the country.
Google Fi offers nationwide 4G LTE coverage using T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network, which covers over 99% of Americans.
Google Fi offers nationwide coverage thanks to riding on T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G networks.
But how good is Google Fi's coverage in each state?
Here is a detailed breakdown of Google Fi's coverage in each state. You will see the total amount of coverage Google Fi has in each state, as well as what percentage of the coverage is great coverage, good coverage, or poor coverage:
Data speeds play an important role in shaping what kind of experience you have using a cellular network.
How fast are Google Fi's data speeds?
We crunched the numbers on our crowd-sourced speed test data to find out. We learned Google Fi had median download speeds ranging from 13 Mbps in Alaska and going up to an impressive 371 Mbps in the Washington, DC. Median upload speeds on Google Fi were between 5.5 Mbps in Mississippi and went up to 47.2 Mbps in Idaho. And median latency was between 22 ms and 184 ms.
Google Fi has the same coverage as T-Mobile because it uses T-Mobile towers for service.
Google Fi customers will get the same access to T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G networks as T-Mobile customers directly.
Domestic roaming is even available on Google Fi, which means Google has partnered with smaller carriers in certain areas of the United States to provide additional coverage where T-Mobile does not have service.
Use our T-Mobile coverage map to check T-Mobile's coverage footprint and data speeds in your area.
Google Fi coverage is worse than AT&T coverage.
Google Fi only covers 59.5% of the U.S., while AT&T covers 74.6%:
However, Google Fi has more 5G coverage than AT&T.
Google Fi covers 49.0% of the US with 5G. AT&T covers just 41.4% with 5G.
Along with coverage, data speeds are another important factor to consider.
Google Fi has about 2.5x faster download speeds than AT&T.
Our crowd-sourced data shows Google Fi's median download speed is 152.3 Mbps, while AT&T's median download speed is just 61.2 Mbps. Similarly, Google Fi's median upload speed is 17.3 Mbps, compared to AT&T's 11.3 Mbps.
For users who want fast data speeds for video streaming, downloading, and uploading content, Google Fi may be a better option.
Overall, AT&T offers more extensive coverage than Google Fi.
You’re more likely to have AT&T signal in more places, which can make AT&T a better choice for more rural areas.
However, Google Fi provides faster download speeds than AT&T, which may make it a great choice for crowded cities or other environments with a lot of people.
Check our AT&T coverage map for a detailed look at AT&T coverage and data speeds in your area.
Google Fi’s coverage is worse than Verizon’s coverage.
Verizon covers a whopping 71.5% of the area in the US, compared to only 59.5% covered by Google Fi:
That said, Google Fi has substantially more 5G coverage than Verizon does.
Google Fi has 49.0% 5G coverage and reaches over 325 million people with its 5G network. Meanwhile, Verizon has 14.7% 5G coverage and reaches 230 million people with its 5G network.
Having an expansive 5G network helps Google Fi get faster speeds than Verizon.
From our crowd-sourced data, Verizon's median download speed across the country are 61.2 Mbps.
Google Fi's median download speeds are 152.3 Mbps!
Google Fi also has faster upload performance. Median upload speeds on Google Fi are 17.3 Mbps, while median upload speed on Verizon are 11. 7 Mbps.
Both carriers will likely perform well in cities, but you can definitely expect faster speeds on Google Fi.
Outside of cities, Verizon’s greater overall coverage area may come in handy.
Check our Verizon coverage map to see what Verizon's coverage footprint and data speeds look like in your area.
Google Fi uses T-Mobile towers to provide coverage.
Google Fi uses T-Mobile, which covers over 99% of Americans. Most people will have service on Google Fi.
Yes, Google Fi offers 5G using T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network that covers over 98% of Americans.
Some of Google Fi’s plans include free talk, text, and data roaming in Canada.
Some of Google Fi’s plans include free talk, text, and data roaming in Mexico.
Yes. A hallmark feature of Google Fi is that they include free international texting and data roaming with their Flexible plan and their Unlimited Plus plan. International calls are available for just $0.20 per minute for both plans.
International data is not available for Google Fi’s Simply Unlimited plan.