That connection timeout is actually a known network issue that has been popping up specifically for Public Mobile, Telus, and Koodo users when trying to use ChatGPT's voice mode on cellular data. When Public Mobile provisions certain accounts—especially when users switch plans or activate newer devices—the system assigns the device an IPv6 internet protocol address.
ChatGPT's real-time voice feature uses a secure protocol called WebSockets to stream audio back and forth instantly. The Telus/Public Mobile network switch has a routing bug where its IPv6 configuration drops or prematurely times out those specific real-time audio WebSockets. Because Wi-Fi networks still route the traffic properly, the feature works perfectly as soon as you jump onto local internet.
If you turn on a mobile VPN (like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or a free alternative) while on your cellular network, the voice chat will connect instantly. The VPN forces your cellular traffic into a secure "tunnel," masking the network data protocol and completely bypassing Public Mobile's buggy IPv6 routing block.
To fix this so it works natively without a VPN, you need a Public Mobile Customer Support Agent (CSA) to change your line's network data profile back to the IPv4 protocol on the backend switch. Other community members dealing with this exact issue have successfully had it resolved this way.
Since the automated chatbot won't understand this technical request, log into the Community Forum via a web browser and use this link to open a direct support ticket with a human agent:
https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437
Then place the following into the ticket so the CSA has a better and full understanding.
Hi there, my ChatGPT app Voice Mode works perfectly on Wi-Fi but constantly times out and fails to connect when using my Public Mobile cellular data. This is a known Telus/PM network routing issue with IPv6 blocking the real-time audio WebSocket handshakes. Could an agent please escalate this to tech support to have my cellular data routing profile switched back to IPv4? Thank you!
