Plans

[Coolhandloo_099]

I would like to drop down to a flip phone. I would also like to get only text and talk countrywide but the plans available don't offer this, but if I was a new customer the promotion would allow me this type of plan... Why are plans only available for people who are not customers? Shouldn't the best plans be available for loyal customers more than others????

Maybe I should buy another sim card and start a new service while cancelling the one I have???

Does anyone have a suggestion? 

[Cpt_Captcha]

Hi @Coolhandloo_099, totally get it. Two parts here: (1) getting onto a lower‑cost plan, and (2) making sure the flip phone you pick will actually work (VoLTE).

A) Plan options (existing customer vs. new activation)

Option 1 — Ask for a plan change via CS_Agent (no number change):
Public Mobile doesn’t always show downgrades in‑account, but support can sometimes move you to an in‑market low‑cost 4G plan that’s closer to talk/text–centric (often in the ~$20–$25 bracket with a small data bucket). Not guaranteed, but worth asking.

Message to CS_Agent (copy/paste):
“Hi, I want to move to a basic talk + text nationwide plan (minimal data is fine). Could you switch my existing line to the lowest‑cost in‑market 4G plan available to me? I’d like to keep my number.”

Option 2 — New activation on the promo (may lose number):
Activate a new PM line (SIM/eSIM) on the exact promo you want. When it’s up, put that SIM in your flip and let the old line expire at renewal. Easiest path if you don’t need to keep your current number.

Option 3 — Keep your number by “port hop” (advanced):
If PM won’t migrate your existing line to the promo and you must keep your number, you can:

1. Port your current PM number out to a cheap temporary prepaid (any carrier).

2. Activate a new PM line on the promo plan.

3. Port your number from the temporary carrier into the new PM line.

   • Costs a bit, takes some coordination, but you end up on the promo with your number.

Porting tip: Both services must be active during each port. Keep the donor SIM in a phone and reply YES to the authorization SMS within 90 minutes.

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B) Flip‑phone checklist (important with 3G shutdowns)

• VoLTE support required. Pick a flip that supports VoLTE on TELUS/Public Mobile bands (LTE bands commonly used: 2/4/5/12/13/66). Many older flips are 3G‑only and won’t make calls reliably now.

• Ask for “VoLTE on TELUS” explicitly. Some flips have VoLTE but not on every carrier.

• eSIM vs. physical SIM: Activation is easiest on a smartphone/computer; once active, move the physical SIM to the flip. (Most flips don’t support eSIM.)

• Messaging: Basic flips handle SMS/MMS; no iMessage/RCS needed.

• Wi‑Fi calling: Nice‑to‑have; not required.

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C) Practical next steps

1. If you’re OK trying support first: message CS_Agent and ask for a switch to the lowest‑cost in‑market 4G plan (keep your number).

2. If that’s a no: decide whether to

   • start fresh on a new PM activation (simplest, new number), or

   • do the port‑hop to keep your number.

3. Before buying the flip: confirm VoLTE on TELUS/Public with the seller/spec sheet.

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TL;DR: Try CS_Agent to move your current line to a low‑cost 4G plan. If they can’t, activate a new PM line on the promo (easiest), or do a short port‑out/port‑in to keep your number. Whatever you choose, make sure your flip supports VoLTE—3G‑only flips won’t cut it anymore.

If you share the flip model you’re eyeing, I can sanity‑check compatibility for PM. 👍
— @Cpt_Captcha

[Mxt]

If you don't want to keep your number that's the best way. I see some people texting to ask for CA_Agents and they get accepted immediately, so before you try, leave your subscription 2-3 days before the expiration date to avoid losing money.

[will13am]

@Coolhandloo_099 , unfortunately Public Mobile has switched to a marketing scheme where existing customers can only upgrade to a higher rate plan with very few options to downgrade.  Even so, there has not been a talk and text only plan offered in a very long time.  

[Chalupa_Batman]

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@Coolhandloo_099 wrote:

I would like to drop down to a flip phone. I would also like to get only text and talk countrywide but the plans available don't offer this, but if I was a new customer the promotion would allow me this type of plan... Why are plans only available for people who are not customers? Shouldn't the best plans be available for loyal customers more than others????

Maybe I should buy another sim card and start a new service while cancelling the one I have???

Does anyone have a suggestion? 

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That is the one thing that has always made me confused about this company. It's prepaid service. You prepay for what you want. But here, you don't. Doesn't sound right to me. But yes, honestly, if you want to just go to a basic plan, you have to play the game. Get another SIM card, open a whole new account, get the plan you want and there you go. You'll need a smart phone though to start the account. Once it's up and running, then place the SIM in the flip. Just be careful which flip you get. Lots of them only work on 3G. You'll also lose your number too if you care about that. Honestly, saving money would be more important to me.