topic Re: 3G shutdown in Get Support

3G shutdown

alexf78Mobile2 — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:24:24 GMT

Hi,

I received an SMS stating that the 3G network in Manitoba will be shut down effective December 31, 2025. I'm wondering if this change will affect me. Could you please confirm whether my current plan or subscription uses 3G or 4G? Do I need to make any changes to my plan?

Thank you

Re: 3G shutdown

computergeek541 — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:25:54 GMT

@alexf78Mobile2 wrote:
I received an SMS stating that the 3G network in Manitoba will be shut down effective December 31, 2025. I'm wondering if this change will affect me. Could you please confirm whether my current plan or subscription uses 3G or 4G? Do I need to make any changes to my plan?

All of Public Mobile's allow access to the same networks. It's more of a matter of whether your device is compatible with LTE and 5G networks, and whether your device support VoLTE.

Re: 3G shutdown

alexf78Mobile2 — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:28:19 GMT

so I just need to check if my device is computable with 5 G?

Re: 3G shutdown

CS_Agent — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:30:11 GMT

Thank you!

Re: 3G shutdown

Sansan — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:31:48 GMT

What is the make and model of your phone? Have you experienced any dropped calls? Are you unable to make calls yet?

When you are on a call, what is the status of your phone?

Re: 3G shutdown

alexf78Mobile2 — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:36:58 GMT

Samsung Galaxy S 10

Re: 3G shutdown

alexf78Mobile2 — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:47:00 GMT

model # SM‑G973W

Re: 3G shutdown

umnikke8 — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:57:34 GMT

Since they sent the message to you, it likely indicates your phone has been using 3G to make calls or they know your device won't support VoLTE to make calls after the shutdown. You can test if the phone stays on LTE when you make a call, if not, then there will be a problem. Samsung S10 isn't on Public's supported list currently.

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

https://publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/3g-shutdown

Re: 3G shutdown

Sansan — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:14:19 GMT

Some people say they have no issues with this phone so far. Just keep using it until it no longer works.

Re: 3G shutdown

slusagm — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:21:45 GMT

@alexf78Mobile2 are you in Manitoba?

If you are, this is what happening there.

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Get-Support/Manitoba-will-loss-3G-first-Rest-of-Canada-still-has-NO-confirm/td-p/1349144

You might need a new phone that is on PM's VoLTE whitelist

Re: 3G shutdown

sheytoon — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:34:44 GMT

@alexf78Mobile2 the easiest way to tell if you will be affected is to watch your network icon at the top of your phone, while you make a voice call. Does it change from LTE to 3G (or 4G)?

You may have to turn off Wi-Fi if the network icon is not visible.

Re: 3G shutdown

BKNS27 — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 04:19:14 GMT

@alexf78Mobile2

There should be a VoLTE in the S10 settings.

I have it on my S9.

Re: 3G shutdown

alexf78Mobile2 — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 22:15:37 GMT

I’ve figured this all out. Public Mobile is likely trying to push me—and probably many other customers—toward Telus and their more expensive plans.

I received a call from Telus, and during the conversation, they checked my IMEI and confirmed that my device supports 4G LTE. I also have the same evidence directly on my device. During the call, I learned that my Public Mobile SIM card is 3G only. So I asked Telus a simple question: why do I need to switch providers and get a new SIM card, when the same could be done with Public Mobile?

That said, Public Mobile never even informed me that the issue was with the SIM card. Very disappointing. I’ve reached out to PM again and will be filing a complaint with the CRTC.

So for those who received the same SMS from PM—check your device using an external app like PhoneInfo, go to the “Network” section, and verify whether your phone supports 4G LTE

Re: 3G shutdown

slusagm — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 22:40:48 GMT

@alexf78Mobile2 sim card can be used in 3G , 4G or 5G

Your issue is that your phone is not on PM's VoLTE whitelist and hence you might need to go to Telus or Koodo. Your PM sim card is only good for PM network , if you change to Koodo or Telus, you need a sim card that is for that network