Google Fi has reportedly dropped US Cellular as one of its official networks, leaving subscribers with T-Mobile.
But despite that, the tech giant disclosed that Google Fi users can still get their hands on US Cellular in certain instances.
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Google Fi Drops US Cellular as Official Network
According to a report by 9to5 Google, Project Fi started with two network options, namely T-Mobile and Sprint. It gives users two choices, allowing them to switch to the best service in the area. If Sprint is a bit janky in its location, it should automatically shift to T-Mobile.
Later on, Google Fi introduced a third option for its users, US Cellular. However, Sprint and T-Mobile eventually merged, making these two merely a single option for Fi subscribers.
But this time, the renowned tech firm has removed US Cellular as its official network, leaving users with a single T-Mobile option. So if the Sprint and T-Mobile merger never occurred, Fi subscribers might still have two options.
9to5 Google reports that Google Fi support confirmed that US Cellular is "no longer an official network."
T-Mobile is the Lone 'Official Network'
It remains unclear why the tech firm dropped the carrier. But the spokesperson of the search giant confirms to 9to5 Google that the Fi service now only has a single "official network," none other than T-Mobile.
With that, even if US Cellular is available in your area, presumably offering a better service, Fi will still use T-Mobile. Fi users will now get the latter wherever it is available, as the tech giant dropped the former as its official network.
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Fi Users Can Still Access US Cellular
Although Google has ditched US Cellular as an official network, the tech juggernaut explains that Fi users can still use the carrier. But here is the catch: they could only do so while using the roaming option, according to CNET.
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With that, they can continue using the network of US Cellular when they use the "Extended Network" option of the service. If they choose it while they are in roaming mode, they could use it free of charge.
The tech giant reportedly says that US Cellular "may still be accessible through roaming on our Extended Network." And as such, if T-Mobile is not available in an area, Google Fi users can still use the recently dropped carrier.
It is worth noting that US Cellular has yet to respond to the recent change.
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