Need help in BC but connecting to T-mobile USA what to do?

[Musicman]

I am currently in Sooke BC but my phone, wife's phone and both children all on Public Mobile have been told we are roaming in the USA and are connected to T- Mobile. Staying here 4 days and need phone service do not feel we should have to get USA roaming as we are in BC. If we bought the 10 days roaming to get service will Public give it back to us as credit to my account. Thanks in advance for any help you can give or direct me to a Moderator for help.

[Kristowhy]

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@Musicman wrote:

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will probably just live without for a few days until I leave the area or find a Public signal.

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What phone models are you using?

Looking at PM, Koodo and Bell's coverage map, there "appears" to be both HSPA and LTE coverage there.   I would ask around at the Sooke Tim Horton's what phone service they are using and what the coverage is like (signal strength/bars on phone etc) for them.  This should help confirm whether the coverage really sucks, or perhaps there is an issue with PM and/or possible LTE band coverage (or lack thereof) with your device(s).

[treefrog]

@Musicman 

Try setting your phone to 3G only. Sooke is known to have a poor LTE signal. It also eliminates picking up US 3G networks. It's worked for me when I had work on the island in the same area.

[Musicman]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will probably just live without for a few days until I leave the area or find a Public signal.

[Timer]

@Musicman 

yes when you buy it Add-ons and connected to T-Mobile, will be have service for 10 day.

[Musicman]

Does that mean if I did get a roaming add on I could get service with it?

[dust2dust]

Right. You're in Canada. But you're out of range or coverage of Bell or Telus (Public). So your phone is picking up towers from like Port Angeles or so. It would be the same as simply being out of cell range in like the mountains somewhere.

The problem with the roaming idea is that talk is problematic. The fact that you connected to T-Mobile may be a good thing as maybe they offer the old 2G service there and we are able to use that for roaming. AT&T not.

[Timer]

@Musicman 

then if can't see network Pm then if you like to buy it add-ons for U.S 

or Download the TextNow App

and get number from that app and make call for free. useing by Wi-Fi.

[Musicman]

Thanks please refer to my reply above.

[Musicman]

Thanks Softech I tried that but only 6 different USA networks appear Public does not appear as a choice. My only recourse would be to use one of the USA networks and hope Public has a way to credit me. It's not about the $10 it's the fact I am not in the USA so I should not have to pay for USA.

[Timer]

@Musicman 

you don't need to buy it add-ons for US,,
just go to your setting mobile network, and turn off Automatic , change it to manual and connect to Public Mobile. and rebooting device is should be working fine

[dust2dust]

It's because your phones are picking up a stronger US signal from across the water. You'll need to manually set your phones to only connect to Public. You may find spotty coverage then.

[softech]

@Musicman   Yes, you are too close to the border and the phone is picking up  the stronger US signal 

Go to your phone setting, Mobile network, instead of leaving it as Automatic, change it to Manual and connect to Public Mobile manually 

If you need more details how to get to the screen, provide us the brand and model of the phone