Forced out of public mobile do to degraded service

[2f]

They say 3g is going to be degraded after March 17th and I haven't been able to make or receive calls from the same location I could a month ago. This forces me to leave public mobile due to bad business practices of forcing people to spend more on a plan or cellphone. I already tried resetting my phone, it works in different locations.

[funpig1]

@2f 

Which carrier did you switch to and what are the details of your new plan? 

If the new carrier is still using 3G, I'm afraid it may temporary because of the general trend away. It is probably a matter of time when you may be in the same situation again. The ultimate solution is to purchase a more up-to-date phone which is VoLTE compatible.

Try dialing *#*#4636#*#* in your keypad to see if your Note 4 can be VoLTE enabled. (This key code may not work with the Samsung). 

Good luck with your new plan.

[2f]

I have changed carriers and have better signal in the same location with 3G. Hopefully this sinking ship called public mobile makes better decisions in the future if they want to stay afloat.

[2f]

My plan was $15 for unlimited text, 100mins canada, 100mb data also had 5gb data add on and 500 international min add on from the better reward system from before.

[Dunkman]

@2f 

Here is some additional information:

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/850-turndown

With the loss of 850 MHz 3G band, your phone will depend on the 1900 MHz band and it depends on where is the newest tower to where you are calling.  So your talk with be spotty without VoLTE.  

As mentioned, other mobile companies will be decommissioning their 3G network in the new feature.  However, different mobile companies will have different VoLTE compatible lists. 

[slusagm]

@2f unless you go as far as flashing the Note 4 with another carrier"s firmware that has VoLTE unblocked, the above steps won't work.  The VoLTE is not just a toggle on the phone, but need the firmware  and the support of the carrier2

[funpig1]

@2f 

What is price and data amount for your 3G plan?  The current plans are so much better than the old plans. 

I used to be on a $25 3G 1GB plan. Now I am on a $20 4G 3GB plan.

[Phil_Adelphus]

@LitlLdy   My iPhone on PM still has the 3G option too, not that I use it.   Surprised Rogers has changed it already!

@2f  Your phone is not on PM's whitelist which starts at Note 20.  It's also not on Fizz's whitelist which I assume is because Fizz uses Rogers network and Rogers is shutting down 3G in July as already mentioned.  Probably some areas you go to still have 3G which is why it works when you're there. It looks like that phone is 10/11 years old?  

[LitlLdy]

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@Phil_Adelphus wrote:

@2f  Note that Rogers/Fido/Chatr are closing their 3G network in July this year.  It's possible though that a carrier with a larger whitelist than PM does allow VoLTE on your phone but it's a good idea to check first before switching.

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@Phil_Adelphus , my iPhone no longer has the option to select 3G for my Rogers SIM! It only has the options of 5G Auto, 5G On & LTE! My Public Mobile SIM still has the option of selecting 3G along with the others though.

[2f]

I have a samsung note 4 and cannot find a voLTE setting. My cell works in different locations, just not where it used to before and it is on the 3G plan. It can use 4G. It is just dumb to force anyone to buy a more expensive plan or phone due to them downgrading their services through a supposed update.

[Phil_Adelphus]

@2f  Note that Rogers/Fido/Chatr are closing their 3G network in July this year.  It's possible though that a carrier with a larger whitelist than PM does allow VoLTE on your phone but it's a good idea to check first before switching.

[funpig1]

@2f 

What phone do you own? Some phones need to have VoLTE enabled. Google the name of your phone and "how to enable volte".  You may have to input a code (for example, *#*#86583#*#* on a Xiaomi or Redmi phone) into your dial pad and push send.

[BKNS27]

@computergeek541 

Thanks for catching that. I meant VoLTE (voice over LTE).

@2f

Check if your phone have VoLTE setting.

[computergeek541]

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@BKNS27 wrote:

 If your phone have 4G/LTE it should be fine

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The above isn't necessarily the case.  There have been many phones made over the years that can connect to LTE newtorks but that do not work with VoLTE.  Such devices will be unable to be used for phone calls after the decommissiong in Canada of the HSPA networks.

[BKNS27]

@2f 

Unfortunately all the Canadian carriers will be decommissioning 3G sooner or later this year.
If your phone have 4G/LTE it should be fine but if not you will be looking for a newer phone.