3G Shutdown.

[Priority]

Hello Community, I have a few concerns regarding this Network Upgrade. The messages and calls Telus is making to Public Mobile Users is concerning not only me but some of the Friends & Family that I have referred.
Here is the message below.

'Public Mobile here.
Important upcoming network changes that will impact your service.
The 3G network will be shutting down in Manitoba on December 31, 2025, with the exception of Winnipeg and Brandon, which will be shutting down on March 31, 2026. After the shutdown, your device will no longer work on the Public Mobile network. To avoid service disruption, you will need to switch to TELUS.
To help you stay connected and make switching easy, we've teamed up with TELUS to offer you exclusive savings on 5G CAN-US plans like 40GB for $29/month, including the pre-authorized payment discount. Plus, you can keep your current device and phone number.'

Now my question ultimately is, what devices will be supported and which won't? I have a Friend using a Samsung S9 who got this message, but the device is certainly VoLTE supported. Do they need to upgrade or switch to Telus or will their S9 keep working with Public after the change?
I also had someone with a Samsung S21 also receive this message and a call from Telus trying to convince them to move networks since their device will no longer work after the change, but their device is 5G supported, why would they be getting this call and should it be taken seriously or with a grain of salt?
Its clear older devices like the Samsung S10/iPhone X and older (2019 and prior), are already having connection issues in the United States while roaming and using Public Mobile there, I understand this is because the 3G shutdown and upgrades have already happened there, but anyone using Public in the United States with a phone from 2020 or newer (5G Supported), does not have any issues.
What devices will and won't be supported after these changes are made in Manitoba, will 3G/4G VoLTE compatible Devices really not be working anymore unless they are 5G compatible as well?
This is very confusing and considering Telus is calling users who have 5G compatible devices, Its almost like they are trying to fear monger people who don't know any better to switch to the main Telus network.
With Public Mobile you are guaranteed the price stays the same forever, the promotion you selected upon sign up never changes. When Switching to Telus on one of their offers, from what I understand with Tier 1 networks is these are Limited time for say 12-24 months, and than they increase the price to whatever they want. Therefore, even those with devices that won't be compatible are better off upgrading and staying with Public Mobile for the guaranteed long term savings and price.
I just want some clarification on everything.

[Brad6903]

Please see my report at 3G Shutdown in Rural Manitoba Phone Models Affected Towers at https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Get-Support/3G-Shutdown-in-Rural-Manitoba-Phone-Model...

[Brad6903]

Telus and Public Mobile have stated many times by text and email that outside of Brandon and Winnipeg it is Dec. 31, 2025, and for Brandon and Winnipeg it is March 31, 2026

I have put a request out to my more knowledgeable friends and neighbours who do travel around southern Manitoba and have access to older phones to run 3G tests on areas that in the past have had a good 3G (UMTS) signal and let me know when and where those tests fail.

I did find an old 3G Samsung phone that provided a signal strength number in the past where I live without a SIM card and as of this morning (Jan. 6), it provided a UTMS number.  I do live in southern Manitoba, but not  anywhere near Winnipeg, nor Brandon, so I should be able to determine which phones do work and which ones do not work once the 3G towers are shutdown softly.

[sheytoon]

@hTideGnow I don't know the specific dates for Manitoba, but rest of Canada is 2027.

[Brad6903]

If that happens, I will post that.

[hTideGnow]

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@Brad6903 wrote:

 definitely would not be able to text and call. It is being used for texts and calls as of today.

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hi @Brad6903 

text has nothing to do with VoLTE.  If you can connect to the network, text will work as it uses a different channel

voice is different because it uses either 3G or VoLTE

the demission of 3G is not a hard power down.  Even it says Jan 3, it won't shutdown all on Jan 3.  It will gradually turn off 3G.   You will see it harder and harder to get voice call.  But if you are lucky, it will be 3 to 6 months before all 3G connections will be gone in Manitoba

Trust me, your phone will stop working sometime this year.  And I am waiting here for you reporting back your phone stops working with voice (again, text and data will continue to work)

[Brad6903]

As you will see below, the Samsung A21 failed the PM VoLTE test. The Telus VoLTE test (same Samsung A21 passed) is shown in my reply of Wednesday, Dec. 31. So, the question remains, why the difference? If PM's VoLTE checker was accurate, the Samsung A21 would, at most, be able to connect to the Internet, but definitely would not be able to text and call. It is being used for texts and calls as of today.

 

[hTideGnow]

hi @Brad6903 

can you show us the screenshot of the IMEI check result on Public Mobile site?  I tried mine and it said clearly no compatible

[Brad6903]

Rural Manitoba is now decommissioned according to the email sent by Public Mobile on Saturday Jan. 3 (see below). Please note the -1 day reference to the decommissioning (in the past it was a positive number or 0).

The Samsung A21 is able to make and send calls and texts and connect to the Internet. I let the community draw its own conclusions about the validity of the PM VoLTE checker v. Telus Business VoLTE checker.

____________________________

Public Mobile here. Important upcoming network changes that will impact your service in Manitoba.

The 3G network will be shutting down in -1 days in Manitoba (excluding Winnipeg & Brandon).

After the shutdown, you will lose the ability to make or receive calls, including 911.

Give us a call before Dec 31st at 1-866-975-3052 and we'll help you stay connected. Or, visit your nearest TELUS store at publicmobile.ca/sl/5dqkiE0jrm

We're here to make this transition as smooth as possible. If you've already upgraded your device, you can disregard this message.

For more information about the network changes, visit publicmobile.ca/sl/F6qjZdXM80

Conditions apply. Subject to approved credit. Msg opt out: respond unsubscribe or click publicmobile.ca/sl/FEVAeIPTjF

[Brad6903]

Thanks for letting me know.

[hTideGnow]

@sheytoon 

it is now 2026, any update when will Telus/Bell fully decommission 3G network?

[hTideGnow]

and @Brad6903 

i think you got misunderstand.  A21 has VoLTE, but it is not compatible with Public Mobile.  It might be compatible with Telus but Public Mobile has a smaller whitelist and A21 is not on the list

[sheytoon]

@Brad6903 you actually need to be on an active voice call. The status menu info is not sufficient.

[Brad6903]

Yes, it shows LTE under Settings / About Phone / Status Information / Sim Card Status / Mobile voice Network Type.

According to the Telus Business IMEI checker, all post 2018 phones sold by Telus will work. I bought the Samsung A21 from Koodo in 2021. The Samsung A21 was released in 2020.

[hTideGnow]

you sure it was using VoLTE?  check again and see what network you are at when making calls.  If it says 3G or 4G , it is not VoLTE (on Samsung, showing 4G is not really 4G somehow , it has to show LTE )

[Brad6903]

The Samsung A21 works just fine as of Jan. 2, so the upshot is that the Telus Business IMEI checker gives correct answers, while the PM one does not.

[Brad6903]

In addition to the PM VoLTE checker, there is another Telus Volte device checker at https://www.telus.com/en/business/support/article/how-to-use-volte . The reason I bring this up is that my Samsung A21 failed on the PM VoLTE checking site, but passed on the Telus business site. As you will see below, Telus specifically stated that "all new devices sold by Telus in 2018 or later ... will work on Telus VoLTE network.

Since I live in rural Manitoba, I will know be the end of January 1st, which site is correct.

[Tim9999]

I have my mother-in-law on Public, in Winnipeg.  She's on an iPhone 7+, LTE enabled etc. etc. and is getting these confusing messages about needing to switch to TELUS.

Frankly, it has me thinking I should switch her to BellMTS if Public/TELUS can't figure out she's not on the 3G network and is not impacted by this change.

[sheytoon]

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Get-Support/5G-not-working/m-p/1358462/highlight/true...

[slusagm]

@golfball 

our network expert @sheytoon  mentioned that.  I cannot find the post back.  Maybe he can explain again

[golfball]

@slusagm I was using an iPhone 12 earlier this year on PM and 5G was working, did something change?

[slusagm]

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@BKNS27 wrote:

@Holiday888 

All newer phones with 5G will be compatible. 

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@BKNS27 

Not really!!!

there are bands requirement for 5G as well and 5G needs 4G as anchor band

Even iPhone 12's 5G does not work on Telus network because iPhone 12 only supports n66 and need B13 and Telus network does not support this n66-b13 combination anymore

[BKNS27]

@Holiday888 

All newer phones with 5G will be compatible. 
If you are going to purchase a private phone with 4G/LTE. You will need to enter the IMEI of that phone to see if it is compatible. I always ask for the IMEI when purchasing a used phone privately. You can check to see if it is Blacklisted and to see if it is VoLTE compatible.

If the seller doesn’t give you the IMEI…pass on it. I got taken when I first looking at used phone…rookie move.

[Holiday888]

@BKNS27 

If I was going to buy a new phone how would I know it is VOLTE compatible on the PM network before I have even purchased it? Does your phone actually have to be on the PM network to enter the IMEI number to get an accurate result. What happens if I find a phone on marketplace and before I buy it, I enter the IMEI number would that checker know what phone and model it is without it being on the PM network?

[BKNS27]

@Holiday888 

The IMEI is unique to each make and model of phones. It will be linked the make and model of your phone. 
If you find your calls are choppy or incoming calls goes straight to voicemail then your phone is not compatible. It is trying to connect to the 1900mhz 3G frequency if it is available in your area.

[Holiday888]

@hTideGnow 

The url you posted for the volt compatibility checker where you use the IMEI number, do you know how that works? Does your phone actually have to be on the Public Mobile network to use the IMEI checker so the system knows the specifics of your phone? What if I am thinking of buying a new phone that is not currently on the PM network. If I entered that IMEI number how does it know what type of phone it is without it being on their network and to give me an accurate result of whether it is or is not VOLTE compatible. Is there an actual list posted on the PM website of what phones are VOLTE compatible?

[hTideGnow]

hi @Priority 

PM has opened up S21 for VoLTE. you can check again here

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

and yes, if it shows it works, you can ignore the text.  

[BKNS27]

@Priority 

I recently had to pickup a new phone for my spouse because the old Samsung S8+ was not compatible for VoLTE. The calls were choppy and incoming calls goes to voicemail.

I got the Samsung S24FE on the back to school deal plus I got an additional 5% senior discount.

There is a workaround with using WhatsApp or TextNow when connected to home wifi or on your data.

[slusagm]

@Yummy 

some older phone,  like your Samsung S9, would simply show Not Compatible.  But keep in mine this is more a test for VoLTE, not a check if your phone is network compatible here

[hairbag1]

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@Yummy wrote:

So how come then I HAVE A SERVICE if my phone:

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You may have troubles when trying to use the cell in Manitoba after they shut down the 3G for calls. In that case, customers need cellphone that are VoLTE enabled in Public Mobile world. Until the 3G shut down occurs in your area, your cell will work just fine.
@

[LitlLdy]

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@Yummy wrote:

So how come then I HAVE A SERVICE if my phone:

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@Yummy , I don’t know. I am just a customer here too, sorry. I just shared the information I have in their help section.

Edit: I wonder if @sheytoon would know?