topic Re: 4G data? in Get Support

4G data?

Hchlebek — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 13:39:21 GMT

Why are there no full plans that have 4G data? This is why I wanted to use Create Your Own Plan option, but now they discontinued that!

Re: 4G data?

jemulock — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 17:20:35 GMT

That's a good question. I didn't realize that 4G wasn't there until you mentioned it. I get along just fine with 3G, but curious as to why 4G disappeared.

Re: 4G data?

jmuench — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 17:34:29 GMT

I'd be intersted too, 4G is mentioned but does not seem to have any plans or options....

Re: 4G data?

torontokris — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 17:37:44 GMT

@Hchlebek wrote:
Why are there no full plans that have 4G data? This is why I wanted to use Create Your Own Plan option, but now they discontinued that!

@jmuench @jemulock @Hchlebek

I believe PM has been trying to get out of the full speed LTE plans for a while now. They want to compete directly with Lucky & Chatr who also offer "3G speed plans" - and those who want full LTE can upgrade or go up the "value chain" to big brother Koodo or Telus.

Maybe this refresh has helped take them out of the full speed LTE plans (that include calling for new customers). Only plan with full speed LTE is $30 1GB data only.

Re: 4G data?

jmuench — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 17:43:15 GMT

Thx, for the insight...they shodul probably update thge website then to avoid the confusion of what's available.

Re: 4G data?

will13am — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 17:46:58 GMT

The full speed LTE plans were dropped as part of the big announcement to enhance the product. I think the only way we can get it back is to show how much we want it and are not willing to climb the Telus food chain to get it.

Re: 4G data?

Hchlebek — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 18:18:21 GMT

Yeah, it's crazy. Why can't it be an option for those who want it!

Re: 4G data?

Hchlebek — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 18:22:31 GMT

Unfortunately, they changed everything right when I bought in. So the options I had were not what I expected. Not what I saw just before I bought in. All they needed to do was continue the Create Your Own Plan option, but they dropped that too. I'm having second thoughts now. I might just eat the cost of the SIM and drop out after my first month is used up.

Re: 4G data?

tehowennathe — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 19:03:52 GMT

There is actually one LTE plan left. Only thing is it's a 1GB data only plan. For those who want LTE are forced to go to Telus or Koodo. Though the 3G speeds aren't that bad because it's throttled LTE.

Re: 4G data?

Hchlebek — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 19:41:28 GMT

The 3G speeds are terrible. I have dual sims in my phone and can compare LTE from Telus and 3G from PM in an instant. Doing speed tests with both. Downloads with LTE is 50+ whereas PM 3G is 2-3. Uploads with LTE is around 12 whereas 3G is around 2-3.

Re: 4G data?

Luddite — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 19:49:59 GMT

@Hchlebek wrote:
The 3G speeds are terrible. I have dual sims in my phone and can compare LTE from Telus and 3G from PM in an instant. Doing speed tests with both. Downloads with LTE is 50+ whereas PM 3G is 2-3. Uploads with LTE is around 12 whereas 3G is around 2-3.

If you're willing to use more data, try your 3G speed test again AFTER setting your phone to 3G only. Some have found the speed better there.

"Terrible" as an observation is totally "in the eyes of the beholder". I had LTE but found performance after switching to 3G plan was virtually the same for my usage pattern:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Plans-Add-Ons/Share-Your-3G-Real-World-Experience/m-p/174974/highlight/true#M19036

Re: 4G data?

sheytoon — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 21:21:12 GMT

@Hchlebek other than running speed tests, does it really matter? How often do you notice any difference?

Re: 4G data?

Hchlebek — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 21:29:26 GMT

Every time I upload and download photos, send or receive emails with attachments. Fairly often for me.

Re: 4G data?

srlawren — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 22:00:45 GMT

@Hchlebek wrote:
Every time I upload and download photos, send or receive emails with attachments. Fairly often for me.

@Hchlebek everyone's needs are different. You have to remember that Public Mobile is the discounted, no-frills 3rd tier brand in the Telus family. For plenty of people, the throttled "3G-speed" data plans are fine for the vast majority of their usage. Public Mobile is not a one-size-fits-all provider so you may want to look at the 2nd and 3rd tier brands for your full-speed needs.

Re: 4G data?

Hchlebek — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 22:25:40 GMT

There's no reason they can't offer it as an option since the offer it as a data only plan.

Re: 4G data?

srlawren — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 23:19:32 GMT

@Hchlebek wrote:
There's no reason they can't offer it as an option since the offer it as a data only plan.

@Hchlebek you're correct, there's no technical reason they can't offer 4G options on any plans they want. They have explicitly chosen not to, as they are directly competing with Lucky Mobile and Chatr, both of which only offer 3G or capped LTE data plans. They have explicity chosen not to also in hopes that it will "force" you up to Koodo or Telus where you will make them more money per month.

There's also no technical reason they can't offer VoLTE, VoWiFi, visual voicemail, outbound name info in addition to number in caller ID, and probably other things they don't offer. They do this for market differentiation.

I get that you wish they offered non-capped LTE plans. It's fine to wish, but this is the direction they appear to have chosen to go. Like I said, it's not an "everything to everyone" provider, so go with what works best for you in the market. If you need full speed data, look at Koodo, Fido, Virgin mobile, Telus, Rogers, or Bell, as they will all offer you that.

Re: 4G data?

DPyro — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 23:32:28 GMT

@Hchlebek wrote:
The 3G speeds are terrible. I have dual sims in my phone and can compare LTE from Telus and 3G from PM in an instant. Doing speed tests with both. Downloads with LTE is 50+ whereas PM 3G is 2-3. Uploads with LTE is around 12 whereas 3G is around 2-3.

Must be your phone or location. This is the results I got just now.

Re: 4G data?

Hchlebek — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 23:48:56 GMT

The speed test you are showing is on the Telus network, not Public Mobile!

Re: 4G data?

Hchlebek — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 23:53:29 GMT

Note how it displays as Telus, Toronto, ON beside the globe symbol. That's the network you ran the speed test on.

Re: 4G data?

DPyro — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 00:01:27 GMT

It's a PM sim card so I don't see how.

EDIT: On the speed test app it shows Public Mobile.