topic Re: US Roaming in Get Support

US Roaming

Techchallenged — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 02:56:01 GMT

I am severely tech challenged and I don’t understand tech language. I will be in the US traveling. Need calling and data. Planned to get the US roaming add on, but after everything I’ve read, I’m terrified it won’t work. Any suggestions to set up before I’m on the road?

Re: US Roaming

maple_leaf — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:01:01 GMT

Hello @Techchallenged , No worries! We've got you! Have a look through this U.S. Roaming troubleshooting guide/FAQs:

U.S. Roaming Troubleshooting:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/get-help/articles/us-roaming-troubleshooting

Do you have an iPhone or Android?

P.S. - the add-on starts the day you purchase it, so plan the purchase accordingly.

Hope this helps.

Re: US Roaming

Techchallenged — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:03:07 GMT

iPhone 11

The 3G thing has me confused. And the volte? What? 😳

Re: US Roaming

Handy1 — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:07:47 GMT

@Techchallenged First you wanna make sure you have voLTE enabled on your phone . You can test this by putting your phone network to LTE and make a call does the phone drop to 3G or stay on LTE if it drops to 3G it’s not enabled and could cause you issues for voice . US roaming will start as soon as it’s purchased . You need to make sure you’re connected to T mobile or AT&T .and have data roaming turned on in phone settings

Re: US Roaming

statusquo — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:05:01 GMT

To use the data you need to make sure your data roaming is enabled and I agree that you need to time the purchase of the roaming package carefully as it's only valid for 15 days unless your visit is for a shorter period.

Re: US Roaming

Techchallenged — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:12:51 GMT

i actually understand toggling data roaming. And I’m away for 10 days so good for the 15 day add on

Re: US Roaming

Techchallenged — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:13:45 GMT

It seems to be on LTE

how do tell if it drops to 3G?

Re: US Roaming

Handy1 — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:15:45 GMT

@Techchallenged Make a call out on speaker phone so you can see the top of you phone does it still display LTE or does it display 3G while connected on a call

Re: US Roaming

Techchallenged — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:19:52 GMT

I don’t know what you mean? LTE or 3G are not displayed only the little bars?

Re: US Roaming

Handy1 — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:20:54 GMT

@Techchallenged Your at home? turn wifi off and try sorry

Re: US Roaming

maple_leaf — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:24:04 GMT

I know, it's all confusing, but basically the U.S. has phased out the older 3G (3rd Generation) cellular technology in favour of 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation). Your phone, iPhone 11 is a 4G capable phone, so no worries there. See more info. below from Apple support:

For iPhone 11 (turn on roaming data):

After arrival: Open Settings. Tap Cellular, or Cellular Data, or Mobile Data. Then tap Cellular Data Options and turn on Data Roaming.

For iPhone 11 (LTE/VoLTE):

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT203124

Hope this helps.

Re: US Roaming

Techchallenged — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:44:20 GMT

It took me that long to turn wifi off🫤

LTE!!! Yay

Re: US Roaming

Techchallenged — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:46:25 GMT

Thank you so much!
so as long as I switch to ATnT or t-mobile, turn roaming on
and what about APN?

Re: US Roaming

computergeek541 — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:48:48 GMT

@Techchallenged wrote:
Thank you so much!
so as long as I switch to ATnT or t-mobile, turn roaming on
and what about APN?

If the data is working now while you're in Canada, don't change the APN settings for use while you're in the US. You're supposed to use the same Public Mobile APN settings while using the Public Mobile service whether you're in Canada or the United States.

Re: US Roaming

maple_leaf — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:51:12 GMT

Don't worry about APN, it stays set to Public Mobile... Turning data roaming on is all that's needed. Basically, you are roaming onto AT&T or T-Mobile networks as a "guest" with permission to use your included PM voice and data service on their networks (via plan or in this case add-on).

Re: US Roaming

Techchallenged — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:54:26 GMT

Thankyou

Re: US Roaming

maple_leaf — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:56:19 GMT

My pleasure. Have a safe trip!

Re: US Roaming

Techchallenged — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:58:38 GMT

Thanks. You were super helpful and patient. 😊

Re: US Roaming

dust2dust — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 05:21:09 GMT

If your phone networks are set to 5G then I suggest setting to 4G LTE to maximise possible connections and functions.

@MetaMorpheusMob- AT&T does not offer 2G GSM.

Re: US Roaming

maximum_gato — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 11:25:39 GMT

@Techchallenged

Welcome to the community!

You may want to consider if the timing is right just scheduling a change plan on next renewal to the $50/40gb US Roaming plan. You can schedule it to change back to your current plan (unless it's a grandfathered/legacy plan as changing it means losing it) after renewal.

Since you need calling and data then you are likely looking at purchasing the 15 day $30/US talk, text and 3gb bundle. Unless you are redeeming points for slightly discounted bundle ($5 cheaper) adding the $30 bundle cost to your plan amount is nearly the same price or more...

$15 plan+$30 bundle=$45
$25 plan+$30 bundle=$55
$39 plan+$30 bundle=$69
40gb Can/US Roaming plan=$50

You don't have to worry about when to buy it, running out of data (3gb vs 40gb), expiry dates etc....you will have a more seamless transition (you still need to enable roaming etc...) but you have less of a chance of encountering a glitch with a plan vs an add on.

Of course this is all dependent on if your renewal occurs on or before your departure to the US and whether your current plan is still an in market plan offering or not to change back to...? Food for thought. 🤔