3G Shutdown Message

[gloverp]

I received Public's text message telling me about the planned shutdown of its 3G network. The message states that after the shutdown in March 2027 my device will no longer work on the Public Mobile network. My question is this -  if my device is 4G (which it is) and my Public Mobile subscription is for 4G (which it is) then why am I being told that I will be affected by the retirement of the 3G network?

[Yummy]

WHERE do you usually buy smart phone?

BestBuy and similar stores are more and more used as 'marketplace' where 3rt part sells their wares. I am NOT comfortable buying a phone or whatever from XYZ company selling though 'big store' companies.

How about kijiji or facebook marketplace? WHERE from those sellers (mostly private citizens) get 'new' or 'open box' phones? Are these phones stolen or received as unwanted gifts or received from mobile providers as part of the subscription plan?

It looks there are less and less legitimate businesses selling products...

[Yummy]

@softech 
Much appreciate your reply.

I guess if I get S25 (any version) it should work and will NOT become obsolete in 2-3 years. I really cannot spend $1000+ for 200g electronics every 2-3 years. Laptop costing $1000 will last me at least 10 years no matter what Windows or whoever make.

[softech]

@Yummy 

did you or your family member go the "SMS from 4011 - Public Mobile - shutting down 3G"

If your phones are not on VoLTE compatible with PM, there is really nothing much you can do other than getting a new phone if you want to stay with PM .   Hare are couple choices of phones that will work:

• iPhone 8 or later
• Google Pixel 4 or later
• Samsung S22 or later
• Samsung Flip 2/Fold 2 or later
• Samsung A15/A35/A55 or later

But generally most major brands of phones released after 2024 and are designed and sold for the Canadian market should work.  

If you or your family members are unsure whether a particular phone will work, share the model here and we can help

[Yummy]

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@gloverp wrote:

It would have been nice to have this information when I was choosing a subscription with Public Mobile.

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Unfortunately technology advances way faster then we would like to.
Soon will be G6 and unless your phone is not compatible with it you would have to buy a new phone.
So, my phone lived 5 years with PM. And it might live few month longer. I guess as people replace phones every 2 years I saved at least 3 replacements...

[gloverp]

It would have been nice to have this information when I was choosing a subscription with Public Mobile.

[Yummy]

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@hTideGnow wrote:

hi @Yummy 

the whitelist was on the VoLTE page for the longest time.  But now is better, you can enter the IMEI to check

and here is the list from before

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Thank you for the list @hTideGnow .

As I said checking IMEI for any phone I might consider is not possible as I explained why...

Lets assume YOU are buying new phone today. What phone would you chose considering these requirements:
- NOT playing games
- NOT watching movies
- NOT living - spending 24/7 in any social network
- NOT making movies but camera capable enough to grab picture from the grocery store and anything else to be recognizable.

Basically phone to run any up-to-date app (very few actually) and being able to place/receive calls and SMS 😁, and having GPS and hot spot.
And it will be a real pain in the neck to transfer and setup all apps I usually have on my phone 😩

[Yummy]

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@gloverp wrote:

I understand my Samsung Galaxy A50 is natively VOLTE capable.

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Being 'natively VoLTE capable' does not mean it will work on PM network.

S10 is VoLTE capable but PM does not consider it as kosher phone

[gloverp]

I entered my phone's IMEI number in Public's checker and it is not compatible. Guess I need to buy a top-of-the-line phone for Public to provide me with service. Thanks for your responses.

[hTideGnow]

hi @gloverp 

as said, a phone that has VoLTE does not mean it is on PM's own VoLTE whitelist.  Sorry about that.  You either have to get a new phone to stay with PM or you can check if your phone is whitelisted with Koodo or Telus

[gloverp]

I understand my Samsung Galaxy A50 is natively VOLTE capable.

[hTideGnow]

hi @Yummy 

the whitelist was on the VoLTE page for the longest time.  But now is better, you can enter the IMEI to check

and here is the list from before

Apple iPhone 8 & above (iOS 16 & above)
Google Pixel 4/4XL/4a/4a 5G (TP1A.220624.014 & above)
Google Pixel 5 (TP1A.220624.014 & above)
Google Pixel 6a (TP1A.220624.021.A1 & above)
Google Pixel 6/6 Pro (TP1A.220624.021 & above)
Google Pixel 7/7 Pro (TD1A.220804.009.A2 & above)
Samsung S23 (AVK2 & above)
Samsung S22/S22+/S22 Ultra (CWAI & above)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 & Fold4 (CWAC & above)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G & Fold3 5G (FWB1 & above)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G (HWB1 & above)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G (JWB5 & above)
Samsung Note20 5G/Ultra 5G (HWB3& above)
Samsung A53 5G (CWB4 & above)
Samsung S21 FE 5G (EWB3 & above)
Motorola edge 2022 (S2ST32.71-71 & above)
Motorola Moto g 5G (S2SA32.1-54 & above)
Motorola Moto g power (2022) (S3RQ32.20-42-10 & above)
Motorola Moto g pure (S3RH32.20-42-10 & above)
Motorola Moto g stylus 5G (2022) (S2SD32.21-85-3 & above)
TCL 303 (V9Q1K & above)
TCL 30 XE 5G (DM9M & above)
TCL 20s (9DI0 & above)
TCL 30 5G (7FCU & above)
Sonim XP10 Rugged Phone (10.0.0-01-12.0.0-12.25.10 & above)
ZTA Blade A7P (Z6252CAV1.0.0B15 & above)

[Yummy]

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@hTideGnow wrote:

@gloverp 

what phone do you have? and which province?

check if your phone can use VoLTE using the IMEI checker here:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

yes, you might have a 4G or even 5G plan, and your phone might support VoLTE.  But PM has a VoLTE whitelist and only phones on the list can use VoLTE. 

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So WHERE is that famous and hidden 'white list' of approved phones?

It is ridiculous to refer customers including myself to check IMEI of a phone since new phone is not even obtained.
Do you really expect me to go to any store and copy 20 or so IMEI of phones I might consider? Nobody is going to give me unopened box for me to check. IMEI might be printed on a box but then such action will be so suspicious security will walk me out from the store.

[kb_mv]

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@Yummy wrote:

Will SMS work if voice is cut off due to 3G?

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@Yummy  Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe if the phone is not using VOLTE the SMS are sent on the 3G network. If your phone is VOLTE approved and capable they get sent on the 4G/LTE network.

[hTideGnow]

hi @Yummy 

yes, sms and data will continue working as they are routed on 4G or LTE or 5G network

only data will be affected. 

You have an S9 and S10 phones?  You need a new phone if you want to stay with PM

[Yummy]

Will SMS work if voice is cut off due to 3G?

[hTideGnow]

@gloverp 

You might have a 4G or even 5G plan and using 4G/LTE/5G for data,  and your phone might support VoLTE.  But PM has a VoLTE whitelist and only phones on the list can use VoLTE.   Your phone likely is not on the list, so while you are using 4G or LTE or 5G for data, when you are making calls, the system is now falling back to 3G for voice calls.  So, when the 3G network ends, you won't be able to use any network for calls with your current phone

what phone do you have? and which province?

check if your phone can use VoLTE using the IMEI checker here:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

[kb_mv]

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@gloverp wrote:

I received Public's text message telling me about the planned shutdown of its 3G network. The message states that after the shutdown in March 2027 my device will no longer work on the Public Mobile network. My question is this -  if my device is 4G (which it is) and my Public Mobile subscription is for 4G (which it is) then why am I being told that I will be affected by the retirement of the 3G network?

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@gloverp Your phone currently uses 3G for voice calls. 4G rating is for the data connection. You will need a VOLTE enabled phone that is on PM's approved list. Here is a link about it: https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

There is a checker at the bottom. If your phome doesn't show approved you will need to buy a new one.