03-06-2024 11:07 AM - last edited on 03-09-2024 12:32 PM by ShawnC13
Hey Community,
We have an important announcement to share with our subscribers who are currently enrolled in our old Rewards program.
We’re making changes to our rewards program and are sharing how these changes impact some of our subscribers. Starting in May, we’ll be retiring our old Rewards program and moving all subscribers to our Public Points™ program.
We launched the Public Points™ program in January 2022 to provide our subscribers with more ways to earn and spend rewards, with greater flexibility. As part of our commitment to continuously evolve our products and services, it's time to retire our old Rewards program and shift our focus on enhancing our Points program.
To show our appreciation for your continued loyalty, subscribers on our old Rewards program will receive a special thank you. We'll send you a text message when it has been added to your account by March 31st.
We’re excited to continue providing you, our valued subscribers, more opportunities to earn and spend rewards with Public Points™ moving forward.
To learn more about your move to Public Points, check out our FAQ here.
The Public Mobile Team
03-24-2024 11:34 AM
Plus, aside from the value those annual plans provide, there is the added convenience of paying your bill once and not thinking about it again for a year.
03-24-2024 11:32 AM
We have a Freedom store right by us. Will drop in this week. Will be nice to actually talk to someone. Plus the International stuff will be great.
03-24-2024 11:30 AM
Yeah, for the extra $20 a year, it's definitely far superior, and would make sense for more people. You also get more than 1gb of data per month.
The $99 plan makes more sense for older people who don't text or use data, or maybe people looking for backup lines.
03-24-2024 11:23 AM
Let's be honest, Freedom will work for 99.9% of Canadians. They cover nearly every reasonably populated area in Canada. With their nationwide, they now use Rogers, Bell, and even Telus towers. Freedom isn't the same company that they used to be. There's a reason why PM considers freedom to be their main competitor. If Freedom had terrible service, PM wouldn't even bat an eye. They definitely wouldn't be following freedom's pricing trends, and wouldn't be constantly price-matching them, like they do now.
Now that Freedom is starting to have international plans, it's going to be a gamechanger. They now have a reasonably priced plan that roams in 81 countries, and I've been seeing a ton of people jump on it. Freedom is the reason for PM introducing all of these new plans lately, and will probably start working on international plans soon too (not just US). If Freedom were to just introduce their own proper reward system, they'd probably put PM out of business.
03-24-2024 11:09 AM
@fixin wrote:@sa7375 - Probably to not entice customers because the $15/month plan is $180 annually.
Freedom does seem like the #1 provider for annual plans, despite that they don't have the ability for all Canadians to have it yet for their MVNO service.
$99/year talk & text = $8.25/month.
$119/year talk, text, 15GB = $9.92/month.
$149/year talk, text, 30GB = $12.42/month.
Those plans are crazy cheap (If you live in the Freedom Coverage.)
Just a word of caution: The $99 is incoming calls, outgoing calls and incoming text only. If you use tradional SMS (at 160 characters each) more than once a day average, you are better off with the $119 plan. The later is still <$10 for considerably more features than PM offers for $15...
03-24-2024 10:46 AM
And the replies have more than doubled since that article was published 👍
03-24-2024 10:42 AM
@Public_Cust_17 - Yeah, they do operate tiny bits on the Rogers network (Now called as phase 2 MVNO expansion) it just gets those little dead spots in the Freedom Network and somewhat streamlines the network out.
If you check their coverage map and switch between LTE / 3G and 5G / Extended range LTE (MVNO Freedom) it just has slightly better coverage.
I am also in the 4G / LTE coverage zone as there is two Freedom Stores in my City.
I will have to stay as I am on the points system with going to the states for free last year with that system.
03-24-2024 10:40 AM
@sa7375 wrote:@upandadam Sadly, it's not getting the attention where it needs most — at the PM. 😄
Well, there’s different ways of looking at that. Will this growing backlash be enough for PM to reconsider this change? Realistically, not likely. But, will it plant a seed of doubt for any future changes that would again impact their customer base in a negative manner? It might. As the proverb goes “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”.
03-24-2024 10:20 AM
@fixin according to what I was able to find Freedom seems to be a core mobile operator vs. a mobile virtual network operator.. Wikipedia, so I guess that depends on how much you trust the info there.. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_in_Canada
For myself, I found out that I am solidly in their 4G LTE coverage area so that works in my case.. https://www.freedommobile.ca/en-CA/network-coverage
A couple of years ago I wouldn't even have given them a look but with the sale of Freedom to Quebecor that was completed on April 3, 2023 and the ability to roam at no charge was introduced.. I've decided to try them out since Public Mobile seems to have no interest in retaining my business... who knows, maybe Telus/PM puts reputation above profits but I'll not be holding my breath in May.. 😉
03-24-2024 09:55 AM
@sa7375 - Probably to not entice customers because the $15/month plan is $180 annually.
Freedom does seem like the #1 provider for annual plans, despite that they don't have the ability for all Canadians to have it yet for their MVNO service.
$99/year talk & text = $8.25/month.
$119/year talk, text, 15GB = $9.92/month.
$149/year talk, text, 30GB = $12.42/month.
Those plans are crazy cheap (If you live in the Freedom Coverage.)
03-24-2024 09:25 AM
@sa7375 I hadn't really thought of that as I rarely check my rear-view mirror once I've decided to move on but since you asked, yes if I'm able to still sign on here and post an update I will. 🙂
03-24-2024 09:19 AM - edited 03-24-2024 09:22 AM
Does anyone, insider or otherwise, has an idea why PM seems not inclined to offering Annual plans?
03-24-2024 09:11 AM - edited 03-24-2024 09:12 AM
@Public_Cust_17 I appreciate your strategy for picking up a monthly, before signing up for the yearly plan, and will keenly look forward to your experience/feedback with the new carrier. I hope you will keep us informed.
03-24-2024 09:09 AM
@Tav2 it's Freedom Mobile and although some have voiced their opinion that their network is no good, Mobile Syrup's review of them seems more credible to me.
https://mobilesyrup.com/2023/10/26/testing-freedom-mobile-5g-network-canada/
03-24-2024 09:06 AM
@upandadam Sadly, it's not getting the attention where it needs most — at the PM. 😄
03-24-2024 09:04 AM
Which company is this?
03-24-2024 08:50 AM
We are gaining attention at the very least.
03-24-2024 08:44 AM
@Community_QA so to summarize, PM doesn't give a $#%)($#% about it's loyal customers, they'll make even more profit taking away your rewards.. most people will stay.
I respectfully disagree with your statement "Let me tell you a sad fact, May will come quick and you will have no choice but stuck with Public Points.".. April will come, my last billing with the current rewards will be automatically taken and I'll turn off the auto-pay then I'll no longer be loyal to PM. In May my choice will be to take my new found freedom and to try out a competitor with a $19/month plan with unlimited talk and text and 1 GB of data on a 4G LTE connection (all things PM doesn't seem to want to offer) and if that works even half decently I'll switch to their yearly $119 plan where I'll get a block of 15GB of data for the year which frankly makes more sense to me because some months I use more data and some I use less. The yearly plan there will save me $$$ vs the lowest bare bones plan that PM will then be offering. I've stayed with PM because of the savings and now I'll go where ever I can save the most for a basic plan because that is all I need. Cheers
03-24-2024 12:17 AM
“Problem with forum and review sites is that people only come here to express their frustration”
What exactly is the problem with that? An announcement was posted in a community forum and people are posting their reaction to that. Your thesis on what the posters here represent is based on a lot of assumptions and is somewhat of a moot point anyway as I don’t believe the majority actually believe PM will reverse their decision. I think its more a matter of venting frustration and if that can expand beyond the echo chamber of this forum, then an added sense that their voices are at least being heard. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
03-23-2024 11:46 PM
Strange... they offer a decent customer retention plan, and then blink, it disappears
03-23-2024 11:35 PM
PC Mobile (Has Wifi Calling too)
Fizz Mobile, their Beta plans let you choose the data you need and is flexible.
03-23-2024 11:31 PM - edited 03-23-2024 11:31 PM
I am just a customers like many here. I have Public Mobile for years and I have multiple accounts already enjoyed $7 off for years.
Am I angry? Why I need to? It is just business. I am not falling in love with PM or Telus. If I find a cheaper plan that makes sense and I have time to go through the trouble to move, I will too (yes, it is easy and quick to port, not much effort)
@RetiredGuy1 wrong guess, I am not him and I am no Telus or PM staff
03-23-2024 11:25 PM
Thanks for your input Mr. Entwistle
03-23-2024 10:37 PM
Not being funny, but what are you on about? Most of us are just angry about being shafted. Hope that clears things up. Its jus that simple.
03-23-2024 10:15 PM
PM should hire you as a business analyst 🤣🤣
03-23-2024 10:06 PM - edited 03-23-2024 10:17 PM
Sorry, Defeat and Truth are both hard to swallow, but be prepared..
03-23-2024 10:04 PM - edited 03-24-2024 12:01 AM
In this second part of the post, I am going to tell you why the immediate departure would in fact a welcome move to Telus and won’t threaten Telus' strong financial foundation. In fact, it will help to strengthen next year’s Telus' financial statement.
A recap from last post. There are 750,000 Public Mobile subscribers, 300,000 account still on the old rewards system, and 6.6% (20,000) of the accounts will be leaving Public Mobile before or shortly after May.
There was a post mentioned that the $25 is the average plan price for those who are planning to leave. That is a lot of money, 20000 x $25 = $500,000. That is half a million a month!!
But as we all know, most of these people are not paying the full price. There are at least $7 off and some are more with friend referrals to knock the price down further. But let’s forget the friend referral for now. ($25 -7 ) * 20000 = $360,000. That is still over 1/3 of the million per month and $4.3 million annually on the financial statement
Now, let's focus on the “saving” Telus enjoy for those who stay. There are 280,000 will be staying and won’t move away immediately. As said above, Telus is now saving $7 per month per account. Adding back the anniversary rewards (10 points, around $0.83 per month) and the 5% (average plan price $25 * 0.05 = 1.25 points), that will be around $4.92 saving per month per account. With 280,000 accounts, the total saving would be 1.377 million/month or $16.5 million annually!!!
$16.5 millions saved but subtract back the $4.3 million lost from people leaving, Telus still gain $12.2 million. And I want to remind you, with the infrastructure already setup, each new subscription and each dollar saved on the current level is basically a profit. So, expect to see a $12.2 million saving from PM alone on the next year’s Telus financial statement
Some might ask where is the $120 fees for each CCTS complaints? $120 is not for us who to keep our $7 savings forever, but is that sufficient to Telus? If there are only 20000 immediate accounts going to leave from the anger (irrational move), I don't see the number will be any more than that. $120 x 20,000 is $2.4 million. That is a lot to me. But this is a one time expense to Telus. Next years profile might be just $14.1 million, but the year after will go back to $16.5 million
So, people asked why Telus decided to axe the old rewards system? Reason is simple, it makes sense financially. You guys can leave but it is certainly that not all 300,000 on the old rewards system will leave from this change. The savings outbalance the lost.
People might ask why not later? Because it probably reached an optimal point. People with just $2 loyalty + $2 autopay might still able to find a good deal to go. Those enjoying $3+$2 and above probably won't move no matter what. There are not enough account departures to justify a further wait. And the longer Telus does not make the change, the more accounts will reach the maximum $7 savings and even harder for these accounts to leave on their own.
And some here were so excited to receive an email from CCTS confirming the complain was accepted. Tell you the truth, as long as you follow the procedure and did everything they asked (try to work with PM for a solution first and fail), they will accept the complaint. Acceptance does not mean you won. In fact, a decision in favour of Telus is coming
Good Luck to you all.
03-23-2024 10:02 PM - edited 03-23-2024 11:24 PM
I have waited another week and come back and see any update and any new idea from this thread. Spent another 2 hours reading everything, sadly no great news other than some naïve thinking and suggestions
And I see some people are so excited seeing 3300 replies here, thinking this is the most replied thread ever on this site. Some were pumped thinking their posts here, their threat to leave, their CCTS complains, their email to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology, their attempt to get media attention will bring them back the old system. Let me tell you a sad fact, May will come quick and you will have no choice but stuck with Public Points. Any many of those who said they will leave will quietly stay and enjoy the 5% savings the new system gives you
First, lets look at how powerful the responses here.
Problem with forum and review sites is that people only come here to express their frustration. How often people with compliment or no stance will come and make a post? Maybe 99% are complains and only 1% are complimentary posts, but that does not mean 99% of the customers are overall unsatisfied with the service. On contrary, it is quite the opposite. There can still be 99% satisfied customers out there (or at least no comment) and only 1% have the problem. So, the moment you see 3000+ replies, do not think you are the majority. And in fact, you are still the minority
Let’s check how many subscribers PM has at the moment. The last Telus report shows Telus has more than 10 million mobile phone subscribers, added 400,000 net additions in Q4 alone.
Trouble with Telus financial statement is that it does not break down the numbers, Telus, Koodo and Public Mobile are all blend together. But that does not mean we cannot find it out ourselves from the market trend
Both Rogers and Bell disclose the Prepaid and Postpaid subscription number. Prepaid accounts makes up around 9.2%-10.6% of the total. We will stick with the mean, 10%. So, there should be around 1 million of Postpaid subscribers Telus has. But, Telus and Koodo also have Postpaid subscribers, except the number would not be big. So, Public Mobile should have around 3/4 of the pie, so it is around 750,000
Before Jan 2022, 100% will be on old system. Since then, 100% of the new subscribers will be on Public Points. Don’t underestimate the new subscription number. Public Mobile has been doing extremely well in the past 2 years, especially with last Black Friday and Boxing Day, They certainly bring in lots of new subscribers with its Canada-US plan as well as the $34 Canada only plan.
At the same time, many on the old rewards system left PM because they cannot get those deals (new activation only) So, the inflow to Public Points together with the outflows from old rewards has change the tide successfully. Public Points members is now outnumbered those in the old system. I would take a conservative count of 40-60 split (old-new). In fact, the difference should be bigger. With that, there should only be 300,000 out of 750,000 still on the old rewards
After we confirmed the base number on the old rewards system, we can see how powerful this thread is. 3000 replies is 1% of the base. But we all know some posts multiple times here, pretty much repeated the same post, so, there are no more than 1000 people who replied. That would make it just 0.3% of the base
Yes, one would remind me that many have multiple family accounts as well. Let’s say each respondent have 4 household accounts here, the 1000 people will represent the voice of 4000 accounts.
One will also remind me that many people are “shy” and not bother to reply at all. So, If there are 1000 very frustrated and “non-shy” people here, there might be another 4000 shy and frustrated one out there, and those 4000 “non-shy” could manage another 4 accounts each. So, we have 5000 people (and 20000 account altogether) very frustrated and ready to leave any time. 20,000 out of 300,000 is 6.6% of the base
How about those not very frustrated and don’t bother to answer? The change in rewards really not bother them enough and these are people who won’t leave immediately. So, they are not an immediate thread to Telus. They might leave one day, but in this business, people come and go for different reasons, and these people are simply part of that group, it is part of this business
Now, the picture is clear. Out of this 3000 posts, there are only around 1000 people here, representing roughly 20,000 account, 6.6% of the total. Don’t get too thrived that there are so many replies here and thought you are showing Telus the power of people. There is no power here at all.
Other numbers
Redflagdeals: 867 replies
Reddit: has around 750 replies across couple similar posts
Change.org: 87 signatures (the one about $10 price plan, affected less people and still managed to get 122 signatures)
03-23-2024 08:16 PM
PC Mobile looks like it could be good fit for me.
03-23-2024 08:01 PM
@Tav2 you and probably 1,000's of others.
The legacy rewards program is near and dear to the hearts of long time subscribers. Taking it away is like losing your best friend! The "bonus gift" of data (with a short expiry date) is a slap in the face.