Text regarding $5/mo 3G usage price increase

[Sham_Madani]

Hello, I just received a message that I’m going to charge 5$ more because of my device that uses 3G, I’m not sure why because I’m using 5G data on my phone & I don’t really understand the extra charge!

[mike-in-deep]

I recently recieved a text saying my phone is using the 3g network and that my bill will increase by $5 next month if i continue to use this device. The plan I currently have uses the 4g network and my phone is set to LTE as preferred network. What gives? Did i get this text in error?

[Knobby8]

Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify — my phone is fully LTE/VoLTE and never touches 3G, so this looks like the same automated misclassification others are reporting today. Bell doesn’t apply this kind of surcharge, and there’s nothing indicating they will. I’m not too concerned about it. If PM actually applies the charge, I’ll just port out. Life’s too short.

[hTideGnow]

hi @Knobby8 

a Redmi Note 13 might have VoLTE, but it is not on PM's VoLTE whitelist

confirm it using the IMEI checker here:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

[softech]

@Jpshum5 

when did you start using this phone? was it just rencently?

the message was sent out based on what PM sees at the end of April.  So, if you change to this phone in May, that would explain why you got the message but the phone is in fact compatible with PM's VoLTE network

[Sansan]

Make sure you check other carriers before you switch, as eventually all Bell and Rogers will follow suit.

[hTideGnow]

hi @Yudelinnnnn 

if you need to manually toggle it on, your phone likely not on PM's VoLTE whitelist

but you can check with PM support agent and see if they will take your request to add it to the whitelist

submit a ticket with CS Agent using Chatbot here:       
            https://widget.telus.tiia.ai/publicmobile/publicmobile.html 
             Type the question "Submit ticket", Then click the following in order: "Contact Us" ,  "Other",  "Log In".  
             (If unable to receive 2FA SMS, click "Didn't Receive Code" or "Resend Code" and Select "Send Email")         
If any issue with ticket submission, you can submit  ticket by direct message:  
          https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437 

Remember CS_agent will reply to your Community inbox within 2 to 4 hours, please check your inbox here:
           https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/privatenotespage            

[Jpshum5]

I submitted a ticket. I will await to hear back and will encourage others to submit a ticket.

I apologize for using your template for replies. I just want your message to b shared 🙏 

[Sansan]

What's your phone? Did you check it yourself?

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

But you would need confirm with them directly. 

https://widget.telus.tiia.ai/publicmobile/publicmobile.html

[hairbag1]

@Mogy 

Public Mobile is a pre paid service so you'll never be billed later for something you didn't buy. If your cell works on 3G, 4G/LTE or 5G...then all is well. Make sure you have a Volte enabled cell as the 3G will eventually be phased out across Canada but only Manitoba is affected today.

[Knobby8]

Just posting this in case others are seeing the same thing.

My phone is a Redmi Note 13 (4G model). It connects on LTE, shows VoLTE active, and calls stay on 4G without dropping to 3G. Despite that, I received the automated message saying I’ll be charged the $5/mo 3G usage fee starting June 15, 2026.

This looks like a system misclassification, since the phone never uses 3G and everything runs on LTE/VoLTE.

I’m not too worried — I don’t think the charge will actually apply. But if it does, I’ll just port out. Life’s too short.

[Yudelinnnnn]

Hi, I received a text about an upcoming $5 fee for using the 3G network. However, I have recently reconfigured my phone and am now successfully making all calls exclusively over your 4G/LTE network using VoLTE. Could you please check my current network usage and confirm that my account is no longer flagged for this $5 fee?

[hTideGnow]

---

@cigarsmoker wrote:

samsung sgh-a847m

---

HI 

@cigarsmoker 

that is a Samsung Ruby, it probably lacks VoLTE anyway, and certainly not on PM's VoLTE whitelist

[Mogy]

I am currently using a 2025 UMIDIGI Note100 5G which has a LTE 3,4,5 option only, so if Public mobile sends out that signal only or it is the strongest signal in that area then this device will proceed using that 3G signal and that is on Public Mobile for not upgraded their network not our fault for using this out of date service network, so in conclusion if I am charged any extra funds when I am currently on a 5G plan then I will terminate this plan immediately and switch to another carrier that won't pass on this ridiculous surcharge.

[hTideGnow]

HI @Nissan_Zaman818 

Xiaomi Mi 5G is not on PM's VoLTE whitelist

[hTideGnow]

---

@Jpshum5 wrote:

submit a ticket with CS Agent using Chatbot here:       
            https://widget.telus.tiia.ai/publicmobile/publicmobile.html 
             Type the question "Submit ticket", Then click the following in order: "Contact Us" ,  "Other",  "Log In".  
             (If unable to receive 2FA SMS, click "Didn't Receive Code" or "Resend Code" and Select "Send Email")         
If any issue with ticket submission, you can submit  ticket by direct message:  
          https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437 

Remember CS_agent will reply to your Community inbox within 2 to 4 hours, please check your inbox here:
           https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/privatenotespage     

---

hi @Jpshum5 

that is my template

[hTideGnow]

hi @lucpublicmobile 

Pixel 6 should work.  Ask PM agent to check

submit a ticket with CS Agent using Chatbot here:       
            https://widget.telus.tiia.ai/publicmobile/publicmobile.html 
             Type the question "Submit ticket", Then click the following in order: "Contact Us" ,  "Other",  "Log In".  
             (If unable to receive 2FA SMS, click "Didn't Receive Code" or "Resend Code" and Select "Send Email")         
If any issue with ticket submission, you can submit  ticket by direct message:  
          https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437 

Remember CS_agent will reply to your Community inbox within 2 to 4 hours, please check your inbox here:
           https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/privatenotespage            

[Jpshum5]

Hi @lucpublicmobile 

use the IMEI checker to see if you have a green checkmark for VoLTE for your phone

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

if it has one, ask PM agent to verify:

submit a ticket with CS Agent using Chatbot here:       
            https://widget.telus.tiia.ai/publicmobile/publicmobile.html 
             Type the question "Submit ticket", Then click the following in order: "Contact Us" ,  "Other",  "Log In".  
             (If unable to receive 2FA SMS, click "Didn't Receive Code" or "Resend Code" and Select "Send Email")         
If any issue with ticket submission, you can submit  ticket by direct message:  
          https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437 

Remember CS_agent will reply to your Community inbox within 2 to 4 hours, please check your inbox here:
           https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/privatenotespage     

[lucpublicmobile]

There must be a mistake somewhere. My google pixel 6 pro fully supports everything according to their checklist, and yet its not the first time that it tells me to change my phone. 

I did not click this link so maybe it's a scam? I'm not sure because I received at least 2 other text messages from the same number and a different number (4011 and 4013). The first one wanted me to buy a new phone with TELUS in order to stay connected. This one simply tells me about an overcharge, which is new.

[Jpshum5]

use the IMEI checker to see if you have a green checkmark for VoLTE for your phone

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

if it has one, ask PM agent to verify:

submit a ticket with CS Agent using Chatbot here:       

            https://widget.telus.tiia.ai/publicmobile/publicmobile.html 

             Type the question "Submit ticket", Then click the following in order: "Contact Us" , "Other", "Log In".  

             (If unable to receive 2FA SMS, click "Didn't Receive Code" or "Resend Code" and Select "Send Email")         

If any issue with ticket submission, you can submit ticket by direct message:  

          https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437 

Remember CS_agent will reply to your Community inbox within 2 to 4 hours, please check your inbox here:

           https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/privatenotespage     

[OrionSteel]

I just got G3 bill warning, but my phone support LTE. It is a Motorola G8 power, it supports LTE, the status bar at top of screen even says it is in LTE mode.

What is problem?

I like this phone, it last a full day on one charge. None of the new phones do.

What is fix here? Should I just switch carriers?

[cigarsmoker]

samsung sgh-a847m

[Nissan_Zaman818]

• Hi, I don't use a lagacy mobile. My preferred network was set to LTE. But still I have received message from public mobile that, I am using 3G network.  My mobile is Xiaomi MI 5G. How do I solve this issue? I changed my preferred network to 5G this morning.  

[Jimbob1]

I've use a 2 year old Ulefone Armor 8 Pro - for 2 years now on Public Mobile in the Edmonton, AB region.

It absolutely IS 4G LTE compatible, and is connected to Public Mobile via 4G LTE even at this moment. 

I also received an SMS mesg within the last hour, trying to get me to click this link: publicmobile.ca/sl/2vRGM4f15t

Are we certain this is not some new Smishing scam {not actually from Public Mobile] ?

[Jpshum5]

Mine too. Let's try to work this out with PM or else they will lose us.

[Jpshum5]

I am in the same boat. Let's try to resolve this with PM.

[Jpshum5]

I think it needs more attention. 

[Randolph]

What more confusing is charging extra for 3G since 3G networks are getting shutdown soon anyway

[Sansan]

I would ask confirmation from agent directly instead of guessing and wondering.

https://widget.telus.tiia.ai/publicmobile/publicmobile.html

[Rohan1986]

I received a message from Public saying that my Asus ROG 3 phone (Indian Version) is using the 3G plan and that I need to upgrade my device. I checked my phone and my plan and both are 5G compatible. So I don't know if the issue is with my device or the SIM. I purchased the SIM back in 2019.

[hTideGnow]

hi @cigarsmoker 

only until the end of 3G network.  PM will end the 3G network in March 2027.  So, you need a new phone anyway

what phone are you using now?