@kaway
You can try toggling airplane mode on/off just in case getting a new connection to the network helps but switching to 3G only will help determine a few factors. To do so go to your Settings >>Network and Internet>>Mobile network >>Advanced>>Network Mode or Preferred network type>> Choose 3G only. (Depending on your device the wording may differ but you should be able to use these instructions to get to where you need to be to change this setting in your phone.)
The quick and easy test is just to try calling 611 or make a call. Does this setting improve your ability to call and connect?
Next find out your signal strength for the 3G network now that you are in 3G mode only. Again go to Settings>>About Phone>>Sim card status>>Signal Strength>> -dBm? What is your -dBm? I strongly suspect it will be below -100dBm. Ideally you want to see a number between -60dBm and -80dBm. -81dBm to -94dBm is workable. -95dBm to -100dBm is poor. Anything below that is unusable.
Where are you located? Major cross streets or your postal code will allow us to look at your local cell tower's. But it sounds like either bell or telus has shut down transmission of the 3G network bands (B2&B5) on your local tower in favour of 5G deployment. If you can still recieve a 3G signal albeit a weak one from a tower further away we can come up with some options while we all await telus implementing VoLTE for pm customers.
The workaround will be to download a voip provider app like textnow and choose a Canadian phone number. When you are in an area with a good connection to the 3G network you call forward (busy/unreachable setting) your pm phone # to your textnow #. Whenever an incoming caller cannot reach you due to a poor or no 3G signal for your phone to connect to the caller will be forwarded to your textnow phone # instead of defaulting to your voicemail. Textnow will work for free on wifi or use mobile data. (0.5mb=1min or 250mb=500min) You will need to use textnow for your outgoing calling when you cannot connect to the 3G network with your pm phone #. Hopefully VoLTE gets implemented in the next couple of months so you don't have to use this workaround for long?!!
