topic Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed in Get Support

Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

JEM — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 19:58:31 GMT

I'm one week into being with Public Mobile and have had my frustrations with getting going. Part of the frustrations were brought on as I didn't have the spare time, as I work a full time job, to read all of the posts on here to get answers to why my phone calls, texts and voice mail were not working right. As it happened, my ported phone number needed to be re-ported over again and then the issue with my Voice Mail not working was because I had read that you just hit the "1" and it will take you into the set up for your voice mail. Instead, I was getting a "Hi, Public Mobile here, sorry, talk is not included in your current plan...." That is VERY DECEPTIVE... as I found out, you need to hold down the "1" to set up voice mail, not tap the "1" and send to make a call. It would have been better to not have Public Mobile put a message on the other end as I thought it was a problem with my account rather than not holding down the "1" instead.

SUGGESTION: How about a tab on the site for a "Public Mobile for Dummies" to teach us some of the basic steps to set up our accounts and when it is necessary to contact a rep for additional help. Going into this, I didn't even know how to unlock my phone, where to access my SIM card, where to find my VM settings on my Android phone, etc.

Now that I'm finally up and running, I'm super stoked about being in control of my telecommunications choices and have learned alot! The prices and the product (lightening fast speeds too) on PM are unbeatable as I've done my research, the only issue I've come across is "how to" and finding the time to research all of the community data when I work full time and have limited spare time.

Finally sailing...

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

Luddite — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 18:48:22 GMT

Perhaps add your ideas to dhanadhan's New User FAQ?

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

NDesai — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 18:55:16 GMT

@Luddite wrote:
Perhaps add your ideas to dhanadhan's ~~New User FAQ~~?

That one is old. New one is here: http://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Getting-Started/FAQ-for-New-Users/m-p/62430

I wish they can somehow sticky it on top so its easier to find.

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

Luddite — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 19:42:09 GMT

Whoops, sorry about that. @NDesai

BTW: have you seen this post: How to Get Started With Public Mobile

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

srlawren — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 20:10:06 GMT

@JEM so, you were trying to call your voicemail by essentially dialing the number 1? Yeah no, that wouldn't work anywhere. Have you been able to do that with a previous mobile provider? I think you always have to hold the 1 for a moment to initiate the call--that's like a universal shortcut, to the best of my knowledge.

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

JEM — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 23:36:23 GMT

Yes, I just pressed the "1" and then "send" and it dialed into... PUBLIC MOBILE HERE>>> sorry, talk is not included in your plan, etc. That's kind of what I was meaning, that message had me thinking that it was something amiss with my account. I came over from Bell where there was a full number you had to dial to get into your voice mail. On my prev iphone with telus, I just had the icon I'd use...don't think I've ever just held down the "1"... who knew!

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

JEM — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 23:37:32 GMT

I think if they could post it (sticky it) at the top, that would be a great idea! I looked long and hard to find my way around..

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

JEM — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 23:54:08 GMT

Thanks, I have now!

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

srlawren — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 00:10:32 GMT

@JEM wrote:
I came over from Bell where there was a full number you had to dial to get into your voice mail. On my prev iphone with telus, I just had the icon I'd use...don't think I've ever just held down the "1"... who knew!

There's still a number that gets dialed, it's just that holding the 1 button for a moment is a built-in shortcut in, I believe, just about every cellphone with just about every provider. You can dig into your phone's settings to find it. Here's mine, for example:

Yours may be different, depending on what region of the country you are in.

@JEM wrote:
Yes, I just pressed the "1" and then "send" and it dialed into... PUBLIC MOBILE HERE>>> sorry, talk is not included in your plan, etc. That's kind of what I was meaning, that message had me thinking that it was something amiss with my account.

Yes, I think PM just give you that message when they can't connect the call. As "1" isn't a valid phone number, you'll get that message. You'd likely get that same message if you tried to dial any invalid phone number, like "123456" or something. I think it's PM's version of "call could not be completed as dialed" that you may have heard over the years.

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

PBForMe — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 01:42:58 GMT

I always thought Public Mobile should have a youtube channel, with a quck 5 minute video that covers the basics, porting, sim card, voicemail setup, apn setup etc. They could have a bunch of video guides, which would fit with the self serve model.

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

JEM — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 17:22:27 GMT

I think thats an excellent idea...with a link right on their main webpage where you can easily find it.

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

JEM — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 23:55:30 GMT

🙂 you mean 123456 isn't a dialable number?

Re: Suggestion: Public Mobile for Dummies Thread Needed

srlawren — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 14:54:10 GMT

@JEM I know, right?!?!