Shutdown of US 3G. Any changes coming from Public mobile to address?

[Gizmo1202]

I’ve been happy with my plan and service but the pending end of 3G in the US means that Public mobile is no longer viable for me. To keep me hanging on does Public mobile have any upcoming changes that will make US services/calls workable?

[Pawprints1986]

Oh man that's not good news... My one "ask" since day one with PM was prepaid international roaming. Not that I truly expected it, but a wish you could say. But now not only will that never happen, it could get worse. Yikes 

I wish I understood better the ins and outs of what the difference is, roaming wise, between pre and post paid. Other than that they can roam by the day, and we have to think ahead. Like, it just doesn't seem like rocket science to me as far as allowing us access?

[softech]

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@Pawprints1986 wrote:

If telus itself can roam US and koodo after this shut down, it's only fair we can too. I know we're a cheaper tier but if they literally shut down the cheaper option, that's not our faults

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Not really.  Fido prepaid gave up US roaming for its customers because of the shutdown of the 3G  (Yes,it is unaffected for Fido postpaid and Rogers customers  🙂  )

[Pawprints1986]

Definitely an interesting question... It doesn't effect me, I don't think (unless close to the border reception can be effected in any way? I'm very close) But definitely a concern for those needing... I can't see where they'd just ban us from using US service, vs updating what were allowed to use there. I'm guessing telus already knows?

If telus itself can roam US and koodo after this shut down, it's only fair we can too. I know we're a cheaper tier but if they literally shut down the cheaper option, that's not our faults

[darlicious]

@hTideGnow 

Its not inaction by pm. Its inaction by telus that is the issue.

[hTideGnow]

HI @Gizmo1202   NO update. 

At the moment, it still "kind of " working as T-Mobile and AT&T have not fully shut it down yet.  But when there is no more 3G, I think it will stop working.  Not sure why inaction from PM

[darlicious · Accepted solution]

@Gizmo1202 

I take it you travel a lot for either business or pleasure in the US? And you use 10 Day US Roaming add ons when you travel? If using local sim card is not an option then consider the workaround for the loss of the 3G network in the US as pm will eventually have to be given voLTE by telus.

Once the 3G network is deactivated in the next month or so purchase the US Roaming data ons. Use a voip phone # for your voice calls. Incoming SMS texts are received with or without a US Roaming texting add on. MMS can be sent or recieved using the US Roaming add on. If a contact cannot recieve MMS then you can use the voip # to send SMS texts.

Call forwarding your pm number to your voip # once the 3 network is fully deactivated requires testing by willing pm members to determine the limitations of using this option as currently all call forwarding performed in Canada before leaving is erased and reset to defaults once the pm sim card connects to a US cell tower.

Fongo and textnow are good options for a voip # however fongo while having much fewer ads does not have free outgoing SMS if they are necessary.

[esjliv]

@Gizmo1202  - so far PM states this:

"What if my device does not work at all in the U.S. after 3G/HSPA shutdown?

• At this time, Public Mobile is confident that your device will continue to work in the U.S. with the limitations stated above. In the future, if we find that devices will not work, then we will update our customer resources with appropriate direction."

See Article here:

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-help/articles/us-roaming#:~:text=Troubleshooting%20U.S.%20Roam...