topic Re: Which plan and or add on's? in Get Support

Which plan and or add on's?

MBNavion — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 18:39:47 GMT

Hi Folks,

I am a new kid on the block and my needs may be somewhat different than most. I have done some research in the community but do not seem to be able to find information that is pertinent to me. So here is my situation and questions.

I am a resident of the United States and spend all of July, August and September in Newfoundland. I have been having fits trying to get reasonably priced phone coverage while in NL. I have tried getting a Canada add on with my US domestic carrier which required me to buy a new phone. ( Verizon ). However, due to some technology differences between the system in NL and in the US it would not work.

So I want to try Public Mobile and am will to spend the money for an unlocked GSM phone to do it.

I was planning on getting the 90 day "All of Canada and the US" plan. However, after reading some here in the community I am now not sure if it will do what I want it to do.

So my first question deals with what I need to purchase. Text and data are not required. I need to be able to receive calls from the US and make calls to the US as well as calls to and from whatever province I may be traveling tohrough while enroute to NL. i.e. for emergency road service. Will the "All of Canada plus US" accomplish this without purchasing any "Add ons"?

Second question would regard billing and payment. Are all plan prices quoted in Canadian funds.

Any and all input is appreciated.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

CaNuCk07 — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 14:52:20 GMT

@MBNavion The All of Canada and the US plan would work for you, keeping in mind, these numbers are no longer covered in the US 712-432, 605-562, 641-552, 605-475, 605-477, 712-775, 559-726.

Furthermore, you would be charged in Canadian dollars, which for you right now with the CAD vs USD exchange rate would be a benefit for sure!

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

TheOldVR — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 15:02:53 GMT

** Sorry, I take that back, the Promo plan might not be what you want as you don't get all of Canada and U.S. included.... you would need an app like Fongo for that.

@MBNavion Sounds like you need a SIM card and the $25 promo plan...and that's it?

You can use an app for Long Distance calls to save you a bit of money.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

mimmo — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 15:09:30 GMT

I think you have two options.

buy a 90 day canada US plan no text no data for 106$ /3 =35$can/month. The service will not work while you are in the USA though, unless you buy USA addon for 10 days, but you likley have your USA phone.

Buy the current $25/month plan and buy the long distance calling addon expires when minutes are used up. could be cheaper than option 1, depending on how much calling to USA you make.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

MBNavion — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 19:48:50 GMT

@CaNuCk07 wrote:
@MBNavion The All of Canada and the US plan would work for you, keeping in mind, these numbers are no longer covered in the US 712-432, 605-562, 641-552, 605-475, 605-477, 712-775, 559-726.

Furthermore, you would be charged in Canadian dollars, which for you right now with the CAD vs USD exchange rate would be a benefit for sure!

Thank you for your reply. The numbers that you say are no longer covered have me confused. Are these Canadian area codes or exccanges? Are they US area codes or exchanges?

For instance my US cell number is 518-681-xxxx. The area in NL where I stay is called the central area. My neighbors have numbers that are 709-536-xxxx.

I have heard that NL is adding a new area code. Presently all of NL is 709 area code.

Can you please explain what the no longer serviced numbers are?

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

Luddite — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 20:03:23 GMT

@MBNavion You can check coverage here: https://publicmobile.ca/en/on/coverage and best to read this before buying a phone: http://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Getting-Started/How-do-I-know-if-my-phone-will-work-on-the-Public-Mobile-network/m-p/204#U204

And one more thought: you may wish to consider a data only plan combined with a voip app with free calling (fongo.com is free across Canada and Google Hangouts across Canada/USA) as that would then allow you to use Google Maps as needed.

Do you have a plan to get a SIM?

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

MBNavion — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 20:00:04 GMT

@mimmo wrote:
I think you have two options.

buy a 90 day canada US plan no text no data for 106$ /3 =35$can/month. The service will not work while you are in the USA though, unless you buy USA addon for 10 days, but you likley have your USA phone.

Buy the current $25/month plan and buy the long distance calling addon expires when minutes are used up. could be cheaper than option 1, depending on how much calling to USA you make.

My plan was t do exactly as you suggest in your first paragraph. No problem with the phone not working in the US as I have my US phone as you pointed out.

One thing in reading the explanation on the community was receiving calls from the US while in NL. Looks like I could get a Province wide plan only and still be able to receive calls from any other province as well as the US. My outgoing calls would be restricted to winthin whatever province I was in at the time. Do I interpret that correctly?

I really don't call back to the US much and do have WiFi so I can use my google voice for calls back to the US. However, if a family member in the US needed to reach me I would like them to be able to make incoming calls to me. The province only fee at present is $91.00 for 3 months without text and data. The all of Canada plus US is $106.00 for the same 3 month period without text and data. For the additional $15.00 it would seem that all of Canada plus the US would be the way to go.

Looks like the concensus is payment is in Canadian funds.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

Luddite — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 20:02:18 GMT

I am pretty sure those those numbers listed as not available only apply when using the US ROAMING add-on not for the base (Canada plus) plan or the long distance add-on.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

MBNavion — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 20:03:54 GMT

@TheOldVR wrote:

** Sorry, I take that back, the Promo plan might not be what you want as you don't get all of Canada and U.S. included.... you would need an app like Fongo for that.

@MBNavion Sounds like you need a SIM card and the $25 promo plan...and that's it?

You can use an app for Long Distance calls to save you a bit of money.

Yes, I will need a SIM card and an unlocked GSM phone. Looks like I can get a new unlocked IPhone SE cheaper than a refurbished IPhone 6 from Orchard.

I would just have to figure out how to put in the network settings. I am sure someone here can help with that.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

MBNavion — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 20:08:13 GMT

@Luddite wrote:
@MBNavion You can check coverage here: https://publicmobile.ca/en/on/coverage and best to read this before buying a phone: http://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Getting-Started/How-do-I-know-if-my-phone-will-work-on-the-Public-Mobile-network/m-p/204#U204
And one more thought: you may wish to consider a data only plan combined with a voip app with free calling (fongo.com is free across Canada and Google Hangouts across Canada/USA) as that would then allow you to use Google Maps as needed.
Do you have a plan to get a SIM?

Plan for a SIM? I guess when the time came I would just get one through the Public website. Is there a better way?

Thanks for the links. I have been to two of them before posting here.

Just thought of a question though. Can I buy a SIM and a plan now and wait until June 26th when I depart for NL to activate it?

Thanks

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

SD08 — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 22:43:09 GMT

@MBNavion

You can buy a SIM anytime and leave it unactivated until you actually need the service. It can be activated online from anywhere, e.g. just before you travel. However, the SIM can only be delivered from Public Mobile to an address within Canada. You could have it sent to an address in Newfoundland ahead of time, and if you need to have it before you travel, then have a friend or relative mail it to your U.S. address.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

mimmo — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 22:47:56 GMT

you can buy a sim any time. just activate it the day before you need it.

buying a sim raises a question does PM ship to the USA? answered above.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

SD08 — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 22:53:15 GMT

@mimmo wrote:
you can buy a sim any time. just activate it the day before you need it.

buying a sim raises a question does PM ship to the USA? answered above.

I just tried the SIM order page, and the only destination country allowed is Canada.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

MBNavion — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 00:12:53 GMT

Thank you for that information. I might do that so I can use tjhe phone whole crossing NB and NS.

Next question is will I have to get a new SIM every year? If so I guess the bestlan would have a new SIM shipped to me before leaving NL in October and keep it for use in the upcoming year.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

SD08 — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 00:19:24 GMT

@MBNavion

Since expired accounts are removed if not reactivated within 90 days, and you're gone for 75% of the year, then yes, looks like you'll need to repurchase a new SIM each year. Once accounts are removed, the associated SIM becomes useless for future activations. The alternative of keeping some kind of service every three months is not worth it unless you can pass the account to someone else's use during that time.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

MBNavion — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 00:20:00 GMT

I should have said in my previous Post. The phone would only be active from around June 26 through September 30. Will I need to get a new SIM every year?

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

SD08 — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 00:22:17 GMT

@MBNavion wrote:
I should have said in my previous Post. The phone would only be active from around June 26 through September 30. Will I need to get a new SIM every year?

Yes, what I said applies to the situation you describe, so you'll need a new SIM each year.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

MBNavion — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 00:25:51 GMT

@SD08 wrote:
@MBNavion
Since expired accounts are removed if not reactivated within 90 days, and you're gone for 75% of the year, then yes, looks like you'll need to repurchase a new SIM each year. Once accounts are removed, the associated SIM becomes useless for future activations. The alternative of keeping some kind of service every three months is not worth it unless you can pass the account to someone else's use during that time.

That sure was a quick reply!.😁 Beat me to my add on post!

If the SIM is good until activated I guess I could have a new one mailed to me in NL and bring it home for use the following year.

This would work after the initial Year of use.

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

Samianauman — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 00:36:01 GMT

If you need June 26 then u can only activate on same day or few days before if you want June 26 to sep 30 covered
And about new sim

That's how's system worked let say if activate in June for a 30 or 90 days plan after expiration of plan you have 90 days to top up again if you don't then you will lose your number and account will be suspended you can't use the same sim

But if you planning to have a service after a 90 days inactivity then I would suggest order a extra sim

Re: Which plan and or add on's?

SD08 — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 00:56:03 GMT

MBNavion wrote: That sure was a quick reply!.😁 Beat me to my add on post!
If the SIM is good until activated I guess I could have a new one mailed to me in NL and bring it home for use the following year.
This would work after the initial Year of use.

Yes, that's a good idea to save you the trouble of having someone mail it to your U.S. address each year.