05-13-2022 05:11 PM
Hi -- I'm going to be traveling in the US for a couple of weeks and would like to use my phone for both phone and texting. No data needed. What do i need to add to my plan? (I currently have Canada wide calls and unlimited international texts but i think that's if I'm in Canada). I'd like to be able to call & text people in the US while in the US and also call from the US to Canada. Do i need a different SIM card? (phone neophyte here :)) Thanks!!
05-14-2022 07:20 AM
To be prepared for any possibility ensure that you know your 4 digit account pin #. This way if you cannot access your self serve account you will be able to add funds and purchase US Roaming add ons via 611 or calling 1 855 4PUBLIC and enter your 10 digit phone number to access the 611/IVR system.
You may also want to download a voip provider app (such as textnow or fongo) and choose a Canadian phone number. You can use this as a back up to call and text for free on WiFi (or it also works on mobile data 0.5mb=1min/250mb=500min).
If you intend on sending MMS you will require mobile data so you may want to purchase the 10 day US Roaming bundle w/unlimited texts/talk and 250mb of data=$20. When it expires 240 hours later you will be able to immediately purchase the US Roaming talk+text bundle=$15 if needed. The same US Roaming add on or bundle cannot be purchased for 24 hours after expiry without contacting customer support to add it for you.
When you arrive in the US and you have added the US Roaming add on(s) make sure you:
Here is some additional info you may find helpful....
Happy travels and Stay--Safe!
Please note currently due to the decommissioning of the 3G network in the US by pm's roaming partners at&t has already begun this process but as of March 3rd 2022 still has some areas that are still served by the 3G network. T-Mobile has an end date of July 1st 2022. This will affect the ability of pm customers to send and receive voice calls and emergency service such as 911 while in the US and using pm's US roaming add ons. The current work around is to download a voip app such as textnow or fongo for use while on wifi or mobile data for voice calls when in areas no longer served by the 3G network which will eventually include all areas served by at&t and T-Mobile.
To contact customer support : Submit a support ticket via SIMon the chat bot Click here
Or if you cannot submit a ticket via SIMon then Click here ....for additional member supplied info.
05-14-2022 06:55 AM
Thanks for the tip! Does it also take 24 hours for the first one to take effect or does that one happen right away?
05-13-2022 09:13 PM
So if you are going for 2 weeks and want to use PMs US roaming Add ons, you'd have to buy 2 (unless you could go without the first few days) and if you want the second one to begin immediately, you'd have to contact a CSA through the avenues above to expedite that, otherwise there is a 24 period you'd have to wait before adding the same add on
05-13-2022 06:38 PM
Thanks!
05-13-2022 06:37 PM
Thanks!!
05-13-2022 06:36 PM
@nickyandjudy Not sure this was answered earlier, but no you don't need a different SIM card if you are using the roaming options from PM. That would only apply if you went with a local (US) service while you were in the US and the PM roaming options weren't adequate for your travel needs.
05-13-2022 06:29 PM - edited 05-13-2022 06:31 PM
@nickyandjudy the 10 Day US Roaming Talk / Text options are operational for 240 hours from the time you purchase. I suggest you load sufficient $$ in Available Funds to cover cost for the add-on you want. Then when you get to the first community in US...find a wifi spot like at Walmart or Starbucks. Most diners, motels and resorts have free wifi now, you might just have to ask for the password. Then, you can log in to your PM account and buy the roaming add-on you want. Restart the phone and you should be good to go for 10 days (240 hours).
edit....phonics !
05-13-2022 06:29 PM
Thanks so much! My phone is an iPhone 6s Plus.
05-13-2022 06:05 PM
Roaming allows PM customers to utilize the AT&T and T-Mobile towers based on the agreement between PM and the American cell carriers.
What make and model is your phone so we can help with the Cellular Network setting?
05-13-2022 06:02 PM
@nickyandjudy - Roaming just means outside your normal service area. So Public Mobile inmarket plans are for use whilst you are in Canada.
And there are also regular addons you can purchase for other services (calling to other countries and such) for use whilst you are in Canada.
But, for services while you are in the USA you need ROAMING addons for service to work (incoming texts are the exception, as they currently work with any active Public Mobile plan while in the USA).
Note, ROAMING addons only last for 10 days once you successfully add them to your account. So only add them right before you go or when you are in the USA.
See the ROAMING addon options in your self serve account here: https://selfserve.publicmobile.ca/Overview/plan-and-Add-ons/ChangePlanLandingPage/?PageRedirect=Redi...
It may vary by model, but to change the cellular network:
05-13-2022 05:42 PM
Hi - Thanks for this! I hate to say it, but i'm such a neophyte that i don't actually know what roaming means? And how would i manual connect your Cellular Network to AT&T or T-Mobile? Thanks for your patience 🙂
05-13-2022 05:33 PM
Yes, the International calling only works if you make a call from Canada.
You will need to purchase a US Roaming calling and texting for $15/10 days with the PM SIM in your phone.
Remember to manual connect your Cellular Network to AT&T or T-Mobile while you are down in the US.
05-13-2022 05:25 PM
@nickyandjudy wrote:Hi -- I'm going to be traveling in the US for a couple of weeks and would like to use my phone for both phone and texting. No data needed. What do i need to add to my plan? (I currently have Canada wide calls and unlimited international texts but i think that's if I'm in Canada). I'd like to be able to call & text people in the US while in the US and also call from the US to Canada. Do i need a different SIM card? (phone neophyte here :)) Thanks!!
Public Mobile offers service while roaming in the U.S. if you purchase a romaing add-on. Please review the avaialble U.S. roaming add-ons at: Plans (publicmobile.ca)