topic Re: Receiving Calls/Texts in US in Get Support

Receiving Calls/Texts in US

Justriots — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 14:15:59 GMT

Hi, I just joined Public Mobile. I travel frequently to the US and so, have a separate US phone plan. I use my US plan in the US, and my CA plan while in CA. However, I want to still be able to receive calls/texts to my CA phone number (with Public Mobile) while I am in the US. I won't pick up these calls or return the texts to my CA plan while I am in the US, to avoid additional costs. However, if it seems important, I normally just note down the CA phone number that called/texted me and call/text them back on my US plan (since it is unlimited everything).

Can I continue to do this with my new plan with Public Mobile? I am on the $15 per month plan. It does say "unlimited incoming calls" but I am unsure if this is still true while I am in the US.

Thank you for reading.

Re: Receiving Calls/Texts in US

Jb456 — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 02:20:42 GMT

No. You would have to buy a USA roaming data add on. Via your account

Two steps to buy an add-on guide on link below.

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Plans-Add-Ons/HOWTO-Purchasing-Add-ons/td-p/198974

Maybe consider app called TEXTNOW you get a Canadian number in your area for free calls / texts over wifi...and forward public mobile calls to it? Also has voicemail. Works when you're connected to wifi.( But you won't be able to forward text messages)

Re: Receiving Calls/Texts in US

gblackma — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 02:25:49 GMT

@Justriots , I don't know, @srlawren , @mimmo , @computergeek541 other Oracle's , can you take this one? Thanks

Re: Receiving Calls/Texts in US

computergeek541 — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 02:29:30 GMT

@Justriots wrote:
Hi, I just joined Public Mobile. I travel frequently to the US and so, have a separate US phone plan. I use my US plan in the US, and my CA plan while in CA. However, I want to still be able to receive calls/texts to my CA phone number (with Public Mobile) while I am in the US. I won't pick up these calls or return the texts to my CA plan while I am in the US, to avoid additional costs. However, if it seems important, I normally just note down the CA phone number that called/texted me and call/text them back on my US plan (since it is unlimited everything).

Can I continue to do this with my new plan with Public Mobile? I am on the $15 per month plan. It does say "unlimited incoming calls" but I am unsure if this is still true while I am in the US.

Thank you for reading.

With the exception of one past plan that Public Mobile has offered ($60 for calls, texts, and 8.5GB of data for use in Canada and the U.S.), all of Public Mobile's plans only work in Canada unless there is a roaming add-on as @Jb456 has mentioned. An interesting note is how incoming text messgaes will work in the U.S. withiout a roaming package. As for the U.S. roaming talk package, it actually provides unlimited calling (both incoming and outgoing) not matter what your base Public Mobile plan includes.

Re: Receiving Calls/Texts in US

totalUser — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 02:31:12 GMT

@Justriots Get TextNow

Free alternative Canadian number, free calls and texts to USA and Canada

Forward your calls to it before leaving

You will receive your public calls while on your USA data plan or on WiFi. (Restrict background data and it will only use 30 megs per month for light use)

People have reported being able to receive sms messages with pm sim, just can't respond to them. So you don't have to do anything for that you won't miss any messages.

If you have to reply you can use TextNow while there.

TextNow also offers sim, no roaming charges coast to coast. $10 unlimited text ands talk, 20 text talk 2gigs if data, 30 is for 5 gigs and 40 unlimited

Re: Receiving Calls/Texts in US

totalUser — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 02:50:46 GMT

Ooooops (sorry for misspelling )it looks like talk and texts are free if you buy their sim for 10, wow

Order a SIM Card Activation Kit to get free
texting and calling nationwide over the
Nationwide Sprint Network and never pay
for phone service again. Bring your unlocked
CDMA phone to TextNow to experience our
unique hybrid of Wi-Fi + cellular service.

Re: Receiving Calls/Texts in US

Justriots — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 03:11:43 GMT

@computergeek541 wrote:
@Justriots wrote:
Hi, I just joined Public Mobile. I travel frequently to the US and so, have a separate US phone plan. I use my US plan in the US, and my CA plan while in CA. However, I want to still be able to receive calls/texts to my CA phone number (with Public Mobile) while I am in the US. I won't pick up these calls or return the texts to my CA plan while I am in the US, to avoid additional costs. However, if it seems important, I normally just note down the CA phone number that called/texted me and call/text them back on my US plan (since it is unlimited everything).

Can I continue to do this with my new plan with Public Mobile? I am on the $15 per month plan. It does say "unlimited incoming calls" but I am unsure if this is still true while I am in the US.

Thank you for reading.
With the exception of one past plan that Public Mobile has offered ($60 for calls, texts, and 8.5GB of data for use in Canada and the U.S.), all of Public Mobile's plans only work in Canada unless there is a roaming add-on as @Jb456 has mentioned. An interesting note is how incoming text messgaes will work in the U.S. withiout a roaming package. As for the U.S. roaming talk package, it actually provides unlimited calling (both incoming and outgoing) not matter what your base Public Mobile plan includes.

Thanks for responding! Is that $60 plan still available in any way? Has it returned in the past?

The US Roaming Talk add-on only lasts for 10 days. Is there an add-on that lasts the full 30 days of my base plan, so I can just count it as a permanent (auto-renewal) add-on to my base plan?

When I receive the incoming texts (without an add-on) to my CA phone number while I am in the US, do I get charged for these?

Re: Receiving Calls/Texts in US

Dunkman — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 03:17:18 GMT

Thanks for responding! Is that $60 plan still available in any way? Has it returned in the past?
It was offered only once and it has not returned yet.

The US Roaming Talk add-on only lasts for 10 days. Is there an add-on that lasts the full 30 days of my base plan, so I can just count it as a permanent (auto-renewal) add-on to my base plan?
No add on for the full 30 days. You need to manually purchase every 10 day add on.
When I receive the incoming texts (without an add-on) to my CA phone number while I am in the US, do I get charged for these?
No, you will not be charged. No overages or surprise charges with PM.

Re: Receiving Calls/Texts in US

Anonymous — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 04:19:48 GMT

@Justriots

I think you can do just what you're doing.

While perhaps unofficial...you can receive calls and texts while in the states without any add-ons. Talk and text all you want...inbound. You will need to use your US service or as mentioned another program like TextNow for any outbound calling and texting.

There are no extra charges for anything around here.

This was my recent experience ie. a week ago. Coincidentally just in this recent experience...the company made some changes to the roaming add-ons. So this may have changed.