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.

[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?

[Yummy]

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

[LitlLdy]

@Priority , check the help section for “VoLTE (voice over LTE) FAQS” for compatibility. Scroll down to the bottom of the page & input the IMEI.

It says,

How do I know if my device is VoLTE capable?

Not all VoLTE-capable phones are certified across all service providers. If your device isn't compatible, you will continue to rely on the 3G network in supported areas.

Not sure if your device is VoLTE-capable? You can easily check using our device compatibility tool below:” “Enter your IMEI Number”

Edit: Of course you need to already have the device to check the IMEI to know if it’s compatible 🙄

[slusagm]

Yes @Priority 

Manitoba is the first to have 3G shutdown 

But the rest of Canada has no firm date yet, and likely won't happen till at least end of 2026

[umnikke8]

As far as I can tell there are 3 classes of devices that are important in regards to the 3G shutdown.

1) Devices that don't support VoLTE. These won't work at all after the shutdown. *

2) Devices that support VoLTE and are widely compatible. These will work with any provider.

3) Devices that support VoLTE, but are only partially supported by the carriers. These are usually older or obscure devices, that may have an older version of VoLTE or older software or may not have been tested or enabled by the carrier. These may work with some but not all carriers. They are most likely to be supported by the Big 3 brands directly and not their flanker brands.

The tough part is determining the difference between device classes 2 & 3 and really only the carriers know. Their device checkers may help clear up which they support and which they don't. My understanding is that VoLTE was not rigidly standardized and all the variability in implementation has made inter-operability a case by case basis for each device and network.

I think the message you're referring to is being sent to devices in class 3. They are supported, but only with Telus brand, not with Public.

*There is an edge case of a device that supports 4G/LTE but not VoLTE, so it will continue to be able to use data, but not be able to make calls.

[Yummy]

PM has a list of 'compatible' phones on their web site. How accurate it that, nobody knows...

I agree it is TOTALLY confusing as I have S7 and my plan is $15 with 4G Speed currently I do not worry (much) as I am in ON. Even if your S9 (like my S7 and S10) are VoLTE compatible that option does NOT appear on my phones. I do not know but maybe PM does not us to use our 'old' phones to their full capability.

It looks like a ploy to me to push customers to Telus or for customers to get new phones and spend unnecessary for something they do not need.