topic Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility in Get Support

Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

Simon — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 17:44:26 GMT

Hi!

Is there any know incompatibility between the iPad and Public Mobile data plans?

I recently received a new Tri-Sim from Public Mobile, and subscribed to a data plan. I was able to successfully test it in both an Andoroid phone, and an iPhone 6; I simply had to configure the correct Data APN in the devices settings, and voila.

I tried to same thing on a cellular iPad mini 2 (those are always unlocked). The simcard is recognized by the device, and I get "Public Mobile 3G", with 3/5 dots for the signal strength, in the top left corner of the screen. The APN is configured correctly, like I did with the other devices.

But, I can't access the Internet. All I get is: "Could not activate cellular data network".

One strange thing: Under "Settings -> Cellular Data", I have a "View Account" menu. When I access it, I get: "Cellular Data Account: The system has encountered an error or is not available. Please try again later or call customer care", with a Telus logo.

It looks like the iPad confuse the Public Mobile Sim for one of those iPad "special" Sim you can get from Telus/Rogers/Bell, and activate/pre-pay for directly from the iPad.

Anyone seen this before? Is there an known workaround?

Thanks!

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

makkahn28 — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 21:50:50 GMT

If iPad has Sim Slot, Yes.

Even if it lacks it, If your Phone has tethering abilities, You can still use it

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

Luddite — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:06:23 GMT

@Simon This thread claims it will connect: Does Public Mobile offer data plans for tablets?

So if correct, your problem is related to settings. @chukdefatey thought so too, but I can't find any more details than the settings you likely tried here: How do I set up data/APN on my smartphone?

Assume you tried rebooting.

If you do resolve, it would be great to post your solution.

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

Simon — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:09:39 GMT

@Luddite Yes, I tried rebooting. It didn't help...

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

imm1304 — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:13:34 GMT

@Simon, your ipad mini 2 should get LTE data because it is compatible with Telus network which is what we the PM customers are using.

Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network.

Then make sure LTE is enabled in Settings > Cellular > Enable LTE

Reboot

Check APN to make sure they are right.

Disable Auto and then connect manually to mobile network. Go to list of available networks and manually select the network.

This got me going in the past when I had issues with Bell in similar situation. Good luck

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

Simon — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:28:48 GMT

@imm1304 I just did a couple of test:

In the iPad mini 2:

- Public Mobile Sim: 3G - No Data

- Telus Sim: LTE - Data works fine

- Fido Sim: LTE - Data works fine

In an iPhone:

- Public Mobile Sim: 3G - Data works fine

I have the feeling there is something different/wrong with the new Tri-Sim Public Mobile are sending:

- It only allows for 3G date (no LTE)

- The iPad sees it as a "special" iPad Sim, made for pre-paid plan, activated directly on the iPad (even if it isn't the case, and the required background services arent in place to support that kind of thing).

Any one else have access to a new Public Mobile Tri-Sim, a data plan activated on it, and an LTE iPad to test? I would very much like to know if my problem can be replicated...

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

imm1304 — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:34:23 GMT

Your particular sim may be damaged/defective. I just helped a friend set up a new account using the new tri-sim an hour ago. He is getting good signal strength with LTE data.

Order another sim, they are not taking too long to arrive. Changing sim for your account is very simple and takes just a minute in self-serve.

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

NDesai — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:33:17 GMT

Public Mobile is 4G LTE. If telus works on yours, than PM should also work.

Did you add APN settings?

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

makkahn28 — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:36:44 GMT

If your Phone can Tether, why bother with APN stuff? Besides, You pay a lot in Data alone, why not Bundle to save?

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

Simon — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:38:56 GMT

@NDesai Yes, has I said before, I did configure the APN settings.

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

Simon — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:52:52 GMT

@makkahn28 I was simply currious to try out Public Mobile services. I might eventually port my number. But honestly, until now, I must say the road is bumpy.

1: I had troubles during the account creation process. I got an error at the last step. My credit card was charged but I couldn't access my self service account. The problem was eventually sorted out, by e-mailing consumer support, but it took a long time:

September 2: Activation problem

September 4: First reply from Public Mobile

September 7: Second reply from Public Mobile

September 9: Third reply from Public Mobile; problem solved.

It's possible I didn't help my case by starting the conversation with them in French. Who knows. Still big delays between communications.

2: Now, I face that "incompatibility" problem with my iPad

3: I don't think Public Mobile offers the iPhone Visual Voicemail as an option

And Rogers recently announced they will support WiFi calling on the iPhone. That might hold me back for a while.

So yeah, I am still currious to try out Public Mobiles services, and will probably recommand them to friends and familly when I see they offer better prices than the competition. But it isn't time for me personally to make the switch right now...

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

makkahn28 — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:54:45 GMT

PM is always evolving, so ivoice mail maybe a reality, Who knows

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

deltatux — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:57:09 GMT

@Simon wrote:
@makkahn28 I was simply currious to try out Public Mobile services. I might eventually port my number. But honestly, until now, I must say the road is bumpy.

1: I had troubles during the account creation process. I got an error at the last step. My credit card was charged but I couldn't access my self service account. The problem was eventually sorted out, by e-mailing consumer support, but it took a long time:

September 2: Activation problem
September 4: First reply from Public Mobile
September 7: Second reply from Public Mobile
September 9: Third reply from Public Mobile; problem solved.

It's possible I didn't help my case by starting the conversation with them in French. Who knows. Still big delays between communications.

2: Now, I face that "incompatibility" problem with my iPad

3: I don't think Public Mobile offers the iPhone Visual Voicemail as an option

And Rogers recently announced they will support WiFi calling on the iPhone. That might hold me back for a while.

So yeah, I am still currious to try out Public Mobiles services, and will probably recommand them to friends and familly when I see they offer better prices than the competition. But it isn't time for me personally to make the switch right now...

@Simon, Public Mobile is still in beta, rough bumps are to be expected. Plus, the no frills nature of the business means that support comes in the form of the community or emailing their support team as they do not have a call centre for customers after January 2015.

As for your iPad issue, I think it's because their APN is not set for data use. I know other carriers have specific APN servers for data-only/tablet plans. This is likely the cause of your issues.

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

Simon — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 23:06:23 GMT

@imm1304 I had a second Public Mobile Sim card on hand. Sadly replacing the first one by the second didn't change anything. I get the axact same results...

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

Simon — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 23:10:32 GMT

@deltatux If Public Mobile data service is incompatible with LTE iPads, that fact should be clearly documented somewhere...

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

Martin — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 23:13:02 GMT

Simon,

PM does not support iPhone visual voicemail.

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

deltatux — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 23:24:08 GMT

@Simon wrote:
@deltatux If Public Mobile data service is incompatible with LTE iPads, that fact should be clearly documented somewhere...

@Simon, seeing how Public Mobile literally uses the same service as TELUS, try entering in the TELUS data plan APN and see if it works. Other than that, there's really no other reason why it's not working.

Have you also tried emailing PM about this issue?

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

Chicklets — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 23:32:51 GMT

I'm sure that you're aware that you can get a tablet plan from one of the big 3 for a lot cheaper than you could from Public Mobile. If there a specific reason you're trying you use your iPad with Public Mobile

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

makkahn28 — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 23:36:59 GMT

I'm sure iPads can work with PM's HSPA+4G LTE, APN Needs to be set to PM's iOS exact protocols

Re: Public Mobile data plan and iPad compatibility

vrance — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 04:25:04 GMT

Hi @Simon, I just tried to put the PM SIM from iphone to ipad mini 2, and the data worked flawlessly. I did need to change the APN on the ipad mini 2 the same way as iphone. I assume your IOS is 8 or onwards, or you need to use unlockit.co.nz in the Safari browser andd choose Public Mobile to install the profile to change the apn.

http://www.unlockit.co.nz/mobilesettings/settings.php?id=1019