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5G Canada US

Sally6
Good Citizen / Bon Citoyen

I am traveling to the US tomorrow.  I just purchased the subscription with 5G for Canada and the US.  (my regular subscription with an add-on doesn't work in the US because it's only 3G).  Will I be able to text, phone and use roaming while I'm in the US?

5 REPLIES 5

Sally6
Good Citizen / Bon Citoyen

So when I got to the US, I couldn't locate anywhere on my phone how to turn on roaming.  I have an SE phone.  No heading of "cellular" and no heading of mobile data - turn on roaming.  After a long search, I finally turned off "low power mode".  Immediately I got a line for mobile data - turn on roaming.  Maybe this will help others.

Now I wonder if I should try to have eSIM, instead of the physical card.

DennyCrane
Mayor / Maire

@Sally6 In the context of US roaming, there is no difference between your level of access on a 3G vs a 5G (or 4G) plan. Your plan dictates max speed, not what network you can connect to. For example, even on a 3G plan you can still access the 4G and 5G networks, albeit with reduced speeds.

The reference to the 3G network shutdown in the US simply means you're forced to use the 4G or 5G networks (or in some cases 2G), which as I said can be done with a 3G plan.

Regardless of whether you have a 3G plan with a roaming add-on or a 5G Can/US plan, the only issue you might encounter with respect to the 3G network shutdown is with phone calls; text and data are not impacted at all. As for phone calls, you just need to ensure your account is setup for VoLTE. You can test this at home by doing the following:

1) Temporarily turn off wifi

2) Ensure you are connected to either the 4G/LTE or 5G networks

3) Place a phone call

4) Once the call connects, watch the top of your screen to see if the phone stays connected to 4G or 5G (this is good), or whether it drops down to 3G when on the call (this is bad). If the phone stays connected to 4G or 5G while on a call, you have VoLTE and shouldn't have a problem with phone calls in the US.

As for general network reliability in the US, AT&T has once again been made a roaming partner, but I personally find the reliability of Tmobile's network to be better. Our roaming arrangement with AT&T appears to be experiencing some growing pains, as sometimes calls don't work and other times data won't work on 5G. I'd recommend forcing your phone onto TMobile if possible, and/or turning your preferred network selection to 4G rather than 5G.

Aside from that, safe travels! And don't forget to turn wifi back on after the test!

softech
Oracle
Oracle

@Sally6 

you should be ok for data amd voice will be ok if your phone is newer one with VoLTE. Start with using LTE network as it has more success

when you are in US, make sure you try to connect to T-Mobile and AT&T network. If it does not connect automatically, then change the Network connection to manual and select try  T-Mobile and AT&T manuall.  

If you roaming purchase includes data, make sure you enable Roaming Mobile Data on your phone.  Change network mode to 4G/LTE  

If your roaming purchase includes voice, enable VoLTE on your device and you might be able to use VoLTE for voice.  But if not, your phone should change to 2G network on T-Mobile ONLY and test voice calls 

 

HALIMACS
Mayor / Maire

Yes @Sally6 

just connect to T-mobile and turn roaming on

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