topic Re: Higher data plans? in Get Support

Higher data plans?

roropinkerton — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 09:04:57 GMT

Would public mobile ever offer more than 5GB of data? I would gladly pay $10-15 more for 8-10 GB of data if it were offered. Recently switched from freedom due to an outage on their end but I’m finding the constant checking on my data usage a little frustrating. While I’m thoroughly enjoying being on public mobile, I feel a bit limited by this data cap.

Re: Higher data plans?

kav2001c — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 18:40:17 GMT

You do not need to check as system is prepay so no overages possible

On Freedom did you usually use the 8-10GB?

Re: Higher data plans?

mtfolks — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 18:41:14 GMT

PM seems to have picked it’s niche and likes to stick to it. I don’t see it happening but who knows. Some of the plan changes they’ve made most recently have arguably been a step backwards if anything, tho.

Re: Higher data plans?

roropinkerton — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 18:43:30 GMT

Yep! I used about 7-8 gigs per month, and I mainly check becuz I don’t wanna have to pay $30 to get an extra gig if I run out of data

Re: Higher data plans?

roropinkerton — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 18:46:21 GMT

Public is definitely a nice middle ground between super cheap, like freedom, and reliable, like the big 3 and their flanker brands. Still, it would be nice to at least have the option of a slightly higher data tier. Seems like anything above 4/5 gigs with the other carriers suddenly introduces a steep price increase (for absolutely no reason).

Re: Higher data plans?

wetcoaster — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 18:56:55 GMT

@roropinkerton

Sorry to hear that you missed the pre-Christmas deal frency.

You might want to look into your phone settings and ensure that you don't use data unnecessarily. Some points that spring to mind:

- Turn WiFi assist off (if applicable)

- Turn background data off where it makes sense

- Allow up-dates only over WiFi

- Use off-line versions where it makes sense and they are available

- Use a data tracker like https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Phones-Hardware/IWIK-s-quot-Data-Witness-quot-for-Android-Getting-started-and/td-p/58970

Re: Higher data plans?

sbreakin — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:49:00 GMT

Thanks to @wetcoaster for several tips. In addition to handy Datawitness app...

another trick I use is to use my Android cell phone data limit & set it to just over 1/3 of my 90-day plan.

I can deactivate or dismiss it but at least I know how 'on track' i am for lasting the whole 90-day period.

(As it turns out while my use is creeping up, I don't early use even half of my data.)

Another idea is to download off-line maps where your app allows (& possibly video for viewing later where permittable).

I have seen & made suggestions of having a 'lite' data speed after one runs out - so that you have at least very basic functions. Admittedly this might decrease the somewhat expensive data add-on (but most company's focus is the main plans).

The largest data at moment are promo plans for 5Gb for LTE speeds & 6Gb on "3G LTE" for 30-day plans. BUT one thing PM has is 90-day plans which allow you to 'go over' at times and try to save data during other times & these specials are also in the build a plan section where you can build a 90-day same cost plan (as I write this).

Re: Higher data plans?

Luddite — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 19:54:11 GMT

@roropinkerton I have a friend in your situation who converted to 3G from LTE which helped a little. Even so he often uses more but, rather than purchasing data add-ons, he makes one time payments, as needed, equal to his plan cost and asks the moderators to renew early.

Re: Higher data plans?

srlawren — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:51:39 GMT

@roropinkerton do you have a dual-SIM phone? If so, you could pick up a $15/month 3GB tablet plan from Fido to augment your data needs. That would give you 8 GB total. They say it's only open to their existing post-paid mobile plan customers, but apparently it's possible to get around that, as per @mimmo's post I linked.

Re: Higher data plans?

roropinkerton — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:59:05 GMT

Shoot, I've got an iPhone 8 Plus, definitely not dual sim. That's really interesting though, didn't know you could do something like that!

Re: Higher data plans?

srlawren — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:04:10 GMT

@roropinkerton yeah, I decided to finally try out this approach a few weeks ago. Haven't had to use it much, mostly just testing it occasionally to see how the network works etc. I may end up cancelling it if i Idon't use it enough in the next few months, but I figured it didn't cost much to try it. I should add: they do charge a $25 activation fee, which includes the cost of the SIM card.

Re: Higher data plans?

roropinkerton — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:58:47 GMT

Of course they do lol what else could I expect from Fido 😛

Re: Higher data plans?

will13am — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:19:39 GMT

wrote:
Of course they do lol what else could I expect from Fido 😛

Shareholders expect no less from Fido.

Re: Higher data plans?

will13am — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:26:05 GMT

wrote:
Would public mobile ever offer more than 5GB of data? I would gladly pay $10-15 more for 8-10 GB of data if it were offered. Recently switched from freedom due to an outage on their end but I’m finding the constant checking on my data usage a little frustrating. While I’m thoroughly enjoying being on public mobile, I feel a bit limited by this data cap.

@roropinkerton, what you see is what you get when you went through the plan selection options. Those who wanted a cheap big gig plan on a real network would have bought into the $60 for 10 gig offering by the major brands last year.

Re: Higher data plans?

srlawren — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 01:03:36 GMT

@roropinkerton annoying indeed, but at least it's a one-time cost. EDIT: after that, the $5/GB ($15 for 3GB per month) is a LOT more affordable than if you had to buy those 3 GB as PM add-ons (3x$30 = $90, a difference of $75, plus tax).

Re: Higher data plans?

Wonder_why — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 01:27:24 GMT

@roropinkerton if you used up all your Data ,you can private messages to the Mod for early renewal,last December price war Robellus offer $60 for 10GB , sad to see you missed the rides

Re: Higher data plans?

Luddite — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 01:35:39 GMT

If you are serious about srlawren's idea try searching for dual SIM adapters for Phone; one example http://www.simore.com/en/.

Re: Higher data plans?

kav2001c — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 01:43:54 GMT

@srlawren you could always get a Freedom SIM for second slot

$15 for 4GB & since network is so slow you will never actually use all the data

Re: Higher data plans?

Wonder_why — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 03:22:57 GMT

wrote:
If you are serious about srlawren's idea try searching for dual SIM adapters for Phone; one example http://www.simore.com/en/.

@srlawren you could try this hacked

Re: Higher data plans?

kav2001c — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:08:10 GMT

@Wonder_why & @srlawren man why stop there?

You can buy adapters for up to *5* SIM cards in a normal nano SIM slot these days

2, 3, 5 SIMs with automatic or manual switching your choice