PublicMobile 3G network retirement

[Natalia_B]

Hello. I recently received this message from PublicMobile:

"Public Mobile here. Important upcoming network changes that will impact your service. We're enhancing our network to bring you faster, more reliable service. To make room for these upgrades, we'll begin retiring our 3G network on March 1, 2027. After the shutdown, your device will no longer work on the Public Mobile network. To avoid service disruption, you will need to switch to TELUS. To help you stay connected and make switching easy, we've teamed up with TELUS to offer you exclusive savings on 5G plans like 3GB for $19/mo."

It gives a PROMO code for Telus and adds that "For more information about the network changes, please visit publicmobile.ca/sl/85h1WFHRXo"

I called Telus - since all 3G networks across Canada retire March 1, 2027, they could NOT offer a 3G plan as this message suggests and couldn't care less about any promo code. What they did offer is a budget phone and a 25$ + tax plan for their 5G network

Now - since it is only a phone compatibility that's at issue - why not offer the same budget phone from Public Mobile to stay with the plan ? Or ask to switch to a 5G compatible phone ?

Which brings me to the core question - which phones will be compatible ? I obviously can't use PublicMobile VoLTE checker - it uses IMEI of a phone to perform the check. I need to know which phone I can safely buy - I don't have it yet, hence - no IMEI. Will Pixel5 be compatible ?
Thanks

[Natalia_B]

Thank you for your reply.

I know that my current phone does not support 5G and VoLTE - I did check it before I posted the question. It is currently working fine, but will stop as of March 1, 2027.

The question was - which phone IS good enough. The mere fact that a phone may support 5G as per their specs, does not mean Public Mobile whitelists it. Hence was my question - for those looking to buy a new phone (which IMEI they do not know for obvious reasons and hence can not check it via the checker), what is the list of Public Mobile white listed phones. 

[hTideGnow]

hi @Natalia_B Any Pixel 4 or later will work, so Pixel 5 is good 

you can text by make calls and check the top of the phone to see if it is still connected to 4G or LTE or 5G.  if it is, them you are good 

hi @Sandalwood1 different carrier maintain a different VoLTE whitelist.  Some phone might be on Telus list but not in PM list, this is nothing unusual 

And similarly, not all phones will work with those smaller brands that use Telus network 

[sheytoon]

Pixel 5 should be ok. I think that's the first Pixel series to support VoLTE on PM. I know for sure 5a is supported, but I haven't tested 5 specifically.

[Sandalwood1]

Odd that the message said to switch to Telus after the 3G shut down. Telus, Koodo and Public Mobile and sub brands like Speakout711  and good2go mobile among others use Telus's network. 3G once turned off it's off for all that use the network. Very missleading/wrong info or a poor upsell to the parent company to get you to spend more.

[softech]

@Natalia_B 

What phone do you have? Which province you are in?

First, use the IMEI checker on this page to see if your phone is compatible with PM's VoLTE network:  https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/get-help/articles/volte 

If it is not compatible with PM's VoLTE, then your phone had been using 3G for voice and is now affected by the 3G Network Shutdown that has just started in Manitoba:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/3g-shutdown

If you’re using a 3G-only device, your phone will stop working after these dates:
Manitoba (Rural): January 12, 2026
Manitoba (Urban : Winnipeg & Brandon): Starting March 31, 2026
National: Starting March 1, 2027

If the lack of VoLTE support is what affecting your voice calls, there is really nothing much you can do other than getting a phone that is compatible with PM's VoLTE network.   Hare are couple choices of phones that will work:

• iPhone 8 or later
• Google Pixel 4 or later
• Samsung S22 or later
• Samsung Flip 2/Fold 2 or later
• Samsung A15/A35/A55 or later

But generally most major brands of phones released after 2024 and are designed and sold for the Canadian market should work.  If you are unsure whether a particular phone will work, share the model here and we can help