Public Mobile in rural areas

[HOYAinQC]

I had to drive to Maine early this week.

The public mobile on my phone seemed to start working after I'd driven not too far south of Quebec City.

I desperately needed it soon after I crossed back into Canada today, but the phone and PM seemed operational

again only after I got back into QC. Has anyone else had that or a similar experience? 

[dust2dust]

This site offers a French side if you're interested in typing in French.

The second sentence - if I understand your meaning - this can happen when you get out into rural areas where cell coverage may be less.
The third sentence - if I understand your meaning - I wonder if your phone held on to a US tower for quite a while. Did you get a welcome to the US text as you got close or into the states?