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!

[waytay]

...or to move to Telus or Koodo (which accept many more voLTE capable phones)

[hTideGnow]

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@McMobile wrote:

To enable VoLTE on a Xiaomi Max 2 dial *#*#86583#*#* in the phone app.

Then dial *#*#4636#*#* in the phone app, select the "phone"(SIM card slot where you SIM is located) , under "Set preferred network type" select "LTE only"  this will prevent your phone from accessing the 3G network and should keep that $5/mo charge away.

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hi @McMobile 

this trick might work to get VoLTE working, but as long as it is not on PM's VoLTE whitelist, there is a chance still have to pay the $5

[hTideGnow]

hi @Mauli 

it is not the plan but the phone itself.  Changing plan won't help.  you likely need to change phone

what phone do you have? and which province?

check if your phone can use VoLTE using the IMEI checker here:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

yes, you might have a 4G or even 5G plan, and your phone might support VoLTE.  But PM has a VoLTE whitelist and only phones on the list can use VoLTE.   Your phone likely is not on the list, so while you are using 4G or LTE or 5G for data, when you are making calls, the system is now falling back to 3G for voice calls.  So, when the 3G network ends, you won't be able to use any network for calls with your current phone

[McMobile]

To enable VoLTE on a Xiaomi Max 2 dial *#*#86583#*#* in the phone app.

Then dial *#*#4636#*#* in the phone app, select the "phone" (SIM card slot where your SIM is located) , under "Set preferred network type" select "LTE only"  this will prevent your phone from accessing the 3G network and should keep that $5/mo charge away.

[Ihsain]

on the Status bar it show VoLte. 

[BKNS27]

@Mauli 

Login to your account and go to Subscription tab-Manage Subscription-Change Subscription. There a list of plans you are qualified to speed to. The could be a plan that will be at the same price with more data.

[Sansan]

Her phone is using the 3G system to make and receive phone calls. They are getting rid of 3G system March 2027.  Some provinces already did since December 2025.

So they are telling her that she must buy a new phone that will be 4G at minimum to avoid $5 extra fee for now. Or come March 2027 she cannot continue to use that with Public Mobile. 

So she needs a new phone that Public Mobile will support.

[hTideGnow]

hi @Ihsain 

take this screenshot and open a ticket with PM support agent to confirm

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            

[BKNS27]

@Lisong 

You need VoLTE to make or receive calls. Enter the IMEI of your Xiaomi phone to see if it is VoLTE compatible.

Here is more information:

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

If it is not compatible then you need to look for a new phone.

[Ihsain]

Thanks Sanson. I used P.M. whitelist for VOLTE checker and found my Oneplus is supported. Here is a screenshot of it. Any advice?

[Sansan]

You can check to see if your specific phone is compatible below but I don't think that it is supported by Public Mobile so yes,  you will need to pay the fee and change your phone to one that is compatible once the date hits. 

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

[BKNS27]

@Ihsain 

3G, 4G/LTE or 5G are data speeds.

VoLTE is Voice over LTE.

1gb is amount of data…just to be clear.

[Lisong]

I received message today.  Saying my device use  3G network it will $5/mo 3G usage charge from June 15.

My Xiaomi Max 2 is 4G LTE device, do I need to buy new device to avoid $5/mo charge. Thanks!

[Mauli]

My wife received an email that her $19 plan is being changed to a $24 plan. Why the increase and what to do to get a better plan? 

Public Mobile update: Your device uses our  3G network. Starting June 15, 2026, you will see a $5/mo 3G usage price increase on your bills if you continue using this device. Your monthly price will change from $19 to $24. Here is the message.

Switch to a 4G LTE/5G device to avoid this amount on your bill starting on your following renewal. You can cancel your subscription without penalty until 30 days after the effective date of this change.

[BKNS27]

@Mardonius 

Please note that 3G, 4G/LTE or 5G are data speeds and not for making or receive calls. You need VoLTE (Voice over LTE) to make or receive calls.

[hTideGnow]

hi @Mardonius 

what phone do you have? and which province?

check if your phone can use VoLTE using the IMEI checker here:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

yes, you might have a 4G or even 5G plan, and your phone might support VoLTE and using 4G/LTE for data.  But PM has a VoLTE whitelist and only phones on the list can use VoLTE.   Your phone likely is not on the list, so while you are using 4G or LTE or 5G for data, when you are making calls, the system is now falling back to 3G for voice calls.  So, when the 3G network ends, you won't be able to use any network for calls with your current phone

[waytay]

My wife got a text on her phone too.  It's a Samsung s10 which PM says is not voLTE compatible. 

Interesting that it is indeed voLTE capable and is acceptable for 4G LTE voice on Telus and Koodo (parents of PM)

Why is PM doing this?  Perhaps they want to drive folks back to the more premium parent carriers?   Or to increase phone sales?  Or an excuse to raise PM rates (ie, money grab) after promising a frozen signup price?

I have no issues with S23 on PM.  But I guess it too will eventually see its demise. 

Sending in a complaint ticket ain't gonna help here.  Maybe a complaint by affected folks to CRTC might help??

[Sansan]

Check the community,  hundreds of messages circulating about the same all day.

Yes, you are affected unfortunately.  The 4G is for data, not voice calls.  So you will need to pay the increase until you update your phone to one they approve. 

[slusagm]

@Mardonius 

it has to do with the phone and how voice work.

First, what you see about LTE on top right is about mobile data. 

But when you make calls, it goes through a different channel, some phones can stay on LTE or 5G but some will fall back to 3G

And your phone might have VoLTE but it is not on PM's VoLTE whitelist.   So, if it is like that, your data might be using 4G or LTE or 5G , but calls will go back to 3G

confirm if your phone is on the whitelist by using the VoLTE checker at the bottom of this page:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

if it is not on it, then sorry, you need to pay the $5 for now until you get a new phone.  And yes, you still need a new phone as PM will close down the 3G network in March 2027 and you would have no voice calls then

[Mardonius]

I received a text message from PM saying that I am using their 3G network on my device and if I continue to do so, my plan will increase by $5 starting June 15. However my phone shows that I am using 4G, not 3G. Has anyone received such a message? Are they mass sending this message without regard to whether the customer is actually on 3G or 4G?

 

[Sansan]

Yea, it's rough.  A lot of people are in your situation. The $5.00 is a lot of money to pay over a few months time. Best to start phone shopping soon. Make sure you get something from the North American Market within the last 5-6 years.

[slusagm]

@Ihsain 

it has to do with the phone, your phone might have VoLTE but it is not on PM's VoLTE whitelist.  So, if it is like that, your data might be using 4G or LTE or 5G , but calls will go back to 3G

confirm if your phone is on the whitelist by using the VoLTE checker at the bottom of this page:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

if it is not on it, then sorry, you need to pay the $5 for now until you get a new phone.  And yes, you still need a new phone as PM will close down the 3G network in March 2027 and you would have no voice calls then

[Sansan]

Unfortunately,  Public mobile does not support Oneplus phone. Your 4G plan is for data, not voice calls. Yes, it supports 5g or LTE,  but for calls it will revert to 3G hense the reason for the messages you are receiving. 

But you can check with them to be sure.

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

[slusagm]

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@Robnickname wrote:

When I make an outgoing call, the status bars flip from 4G to 3G.

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@Robnickname 

that means your phone is not using PM's VoLTE network

you will need a new phone

[Robnickname]

When I make an outgoing call, the status bars flip from 4G to 3G.

[Ihsain]

Hi all, 

I am on a $19/mo 1G plan on 4G and use Oneplus phone that support 5G/4G/3G,... . P.M. has been sending text warning that from next month I will be charged an additional $5/mo for 3G usage. 

Since I am on a 4G plan and my phone supports 4G & 5G, I am not sure why I am getting these message from P.M. 

Appreciate any assistance you can provide to solve the issue. I don't want to change the plan or the phone.

Thank you all,

[MTess]

Thanks for this response. 

My phone does have VoLTE but my phone is LTE/3G capable and not higher, so I guess it's still the $5 increase and/or new phone. Bummer. 

[slusagm]

@MTess 

you don't need a 5G device, but just most recent phones selling are 5G

but if you have a 4G device and has VoLTE that is compatible, then yes, it will work.

confirm if your phone is on the whitelist by using the VoLTE checker at the bottom of this page:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

if it is not on it, then sorry, you need to pay the $5 for now until you get a new phone.  And yes, you still need a new phone as PM will close down the 3G network in March 2027 and you would have no voice calls then

[Sansan]

Also, the 4G is for data to access the internet,  but for voice calls it uses 3G. When you make an outgoing call,  what's the status on your phone?

[slusagm]

@Robnickname 

it has to do with the phone, your phone might have VoLTE but it is not on PM's VoLTE whitelist.  So, if it is like that, your data might be using 4G or LTE or 5G , but calls will go back to 3G

confirm if your phone is on the whitelist by using the VoLTE checker at the bottom of this page:
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

if it is not on it, then sorry, you need to pay the $5 for now until you get a new phone.  And yes, you still need a new phone as PM will close down the 3G network in March 2027 and you would have no voice calls then