[TL:DR - Comparison with previous provider]
I'd consider myself an average phone user. I don't make or receive too many calls, don't send too many SMSs, and use about 6GB of data month. I don't stream Spotify, Netflix or YouTube on mobile data usually.
I was previously with M1 for about a decade on a plan with a corporate discount.
I'm now saving >50% a month with no major differences to my experience.
So, I consider switching to ViviFi a win.
Only minor issues are a lack of an app to check usage. That said, the website serves the same function and the only extra step is the need to login each time.
[Plans]
For my usage pattern the 6GB plan is the most cost-effective for me in the market. I unfortunately happened to exceed the 6GB limit towards the end of the first month because of an app which updated on mobile in the background (disabled it later on) so my internet speed was throttled to 256kb/s or something like that. Videos would take longer to load and Facetime was a little iffy but this is to be expected. Whatsapp, however, worked without issue which is the most important thing (primary purpose of the mobile phone anyway). Much better than being slapped with a $10/GB excess usage charge which other telcos charge!
I have another Lite 3GB plan for my dad who uses no data but talks a lot on the phone. The 500 min talktime is great. ViviFI offers the most competitive plan for such users. Only downside is you get 20 SMSs which isn't much, but even if you send 100 SMSs at 5 cents a SMS you're probably still ahead. Or buy a booster with 100 SMSs at $3.
[Network]
Probably better than M1. In terms of call signal no difference but I find there is greater internet connectivity. Whereas I used to occasionally not be able to access the internet even though I was connected to the M1 network (had to reboot the phone to solve the issue), I thankfully don't experience this with ViviFi. If there's network signal, you will have internet.
Network speeds for regular browsing/social media seem the same to me.
[Customer Service]
I've found it fast and responsive, possibly even better than speaking with a person over the phone as you don't have to hang around and wait for your call to be connected.
ViviFi has been very quick with resolving ViviFi specific issues (change of plans, replace SIM card).
I've also been pleasantly surprised by how they've gone the extra mile. I lost my phone and needed a replacement SIM card. The request was processed quickly and they said they would dispatch the replacement by normal mail. This is reasonable and what I expected. I got a call an hour later asking if I'd be at home later in the day as someone would drop the SIM card off. I said I wouldn't but they could just leave it under the door. The replacement was indeed delivered later that day and it was clear one of their staff hand-delivered it (there was no courier note and it was in a hand-labelled envelope). Sort of reminds me of what a lean start-up trying their best to keep their customers happy would do. Who knows, maybe it was the CEO who hand-delivered the package. It felt strangely authentic and personal. So, full marks for this!
They've been helpful with trying to solve phone specific issues but their advice is pretty generic. That said, Google's probably better for these latter types of problems.
[Ease of Porting]
If you self-collect the SIM card, you have to meet at locations specified by ViviFi. A little troublesome if you need your SIM card ASAP but it's reasonable if you don't want to pay a fee.
The line was ported over in the middle of the night so I didn't suffer any actual inconvenience. Porting the number over is as convenient/inconvenient compared to other service providers. I don't think there can be a 100% seamless experience regardless of who you switch to. It's just how it is.
The only issue I had was when I eagerly tried my ViviFi SIM card the moment M1 cut my service. I don't think the port-over process had been completed yet so my iPhone registered the new temporary ViviFi number, messing up my FaceTime and iMessage. Couldn't remove the new number. I spent a lot of time trying to troubleshoot this (ViviFi couldn't help me unfortunately) but eventually I found out that I just had to wait for Apple to update its servers and I could re-register my ported over number. Long story short it wasn't ViviFi's fault and I think a potential issue when one changes providers. Best to just not do anything till after ViviFi's specified port-over period.
[Billing]
I very much like how ViviFi usage period is the calendar month, not the date you join them. Makes managing your data and minutes usage a lot easier.
No issues with credit card billing either.