Calling from USA to Canada and Calling US to US numbers

[BRIDUN]

My plan description doest clarify if i can call from US to Canada and US to US numbers with no extra roaming charges. I'd like to know if that is the case.

[Phil_Adelphus]

@BRIDUN   The list is of phones "certified" by Public Mobile to work on VoLTE.   Certain others may work but it's not definite they will.  PM's roaming partners in the USA are T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon.  All require a VoLTE phone to work for roaming, the only exception available in diminishing areas is the 2G network of T-Mobile which is also being shut down as of Sept 1st 2024.  

Back in 2022 all cell phone users in the USA were required to get a phone that was VoLTE capable and approved by their carrier because the 3G needed by non-VoLTE phones was shut down by the end of that year.  It will eventually happen in Canada also, sooner rather than later in the case of Rogers companies which are shutting down 3G in July this year.  There is no confirmed date for Telus or Bell companies.   Public Mobile's "certified" list is shorter than some other carriers so options if you can't connect to T-Mobile's 2G network where it still exists are change phone to one on the list, change carrier to one that supports VoLTE on your phone and allows roaming in the USA, use a voip app since data will still work although it will assign you a different phone number. 

[BRIDUN]

Hi Phil, I have a samsung A12. I did your test and it jumped from LTE to 4G. My phone isn't listed on your info but surely they can't be the only ones that work on this plan. My mobile network page shows LTE/WCDMA/GSM(auto connect).  So it's my phone that's not compatible with T mobile in the states. Is there another provider in the US other than t mobile that I could piggy back on?

[Phil_Adelphus]

@BRIDUN  Did you do the test I suggested to do before leaving for the US in the earlier post if you weren't sure if your phone was VoLTE approved?  It sounds like it probably isn't.  Non-VoLTE phones don't work for voice calls in the USA as they don't have any 3G networks there, which a phone needs if it doesn't have VoLTE.  If you didn't test the phone as suggested, then check out the list of VoLTE phones here

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

If your phone doesn't have VoLTE you can try dropping it to 2G and connecting to T-Mobile but that service is spotty and being dismantled.  Otherwise, since a non-VoLTE phone will still get data and be able text you could download a voip app like Fongo or TextNow to make calls over wifi or data.

[BRIDUN]

Well I took a quick trip over the border to the US to check my service. I turned on the data roaming it showed Tmobile operator. I can text back and forth with canada and use my data but can't make or receive calls. When they call me they get my answer machine message. The irony of a phone company with no phone service is head shaking. Any ideas?

[Phil_Adelphus]

@BRIDUN   You shouldn't have to reset anything, just enable data roaming in the phone's settings.  If you're not sure where it is usually the settings app has a search function at the top of the screen.  If you have any difficulties when you get there post back here so we can help further.

[BRIDUN]

I have a Canada US plan. I do believe I have phone service I was wondering when I enter the States is roaming automatic or do I have to reset the phone?

[TheSterlinger]

@BRIDUN  if you are on the Canada-US plan, yes you can call from and between each country  no problem.  Enable roaming and connect to T-Mobile or AT&T.  No extra charges. 

Which plan are you on?

[Phil_Adelphus]

@BRIDUN   You don't say which plan you have, but if it's a Canada-US plan or a Canada-US-Mexico plan, then you can call to and from and within any country mentioned in the plan.  There are never any extra roaming charges with Public Mobile, it's prepaid so if you try to do something not covered it just won't work.  For (edited to clarify voice. Data and text should still work regardless) service in the US you need to have a VoLTE approved phone.  If you're not sure about that then test it before you leave Canada by turning off wifi, turning on cellular data and making a phone call.  If VoLTE enabled the phone should not drop to 3G on calls (there is no 3G network in the USA since 2022).

[ORNGNBLK]

Which plan do you have? The detail should be in your subscription page on the app. If you can screenshot and remove any personal info before posting here, the group can chime in and help.