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!

[slusagm]

@Peterchen123 

S25 will certainly work, no doubt

but make sure you talk to PM agent so they won't charge you the $5

Simply open ticket with PM using the Orange Chatbot icon on the lower right. (For 2FA  code when login, use email to receive code instead of SMS if you cannot receive the text on the phone.)    When open Chatbot ticket, Type the question Submit ticket and select Contact Us to get to ticket open screen       

But if you have trouble using Chatbot to open ticket, then message PM using this link:
    https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437

PM will reply to your community inbox,  between 9AM-10PM EST (Mon-Sun), check here:
      https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/privatenotespage  

[Peterchen123]

My Samsung Galaxy S25 is compatible. This must be a mistake by Public Mobile?

[Knobby8]

So I ran the check on PM's IMEI, and it say's "Phone Incompatible".  So what does that mean?  It means PM's database (whitelist) of phones is woefully out of date and incorrect.  I know for sure (100%) my phone is 4G/Volte enabled.  Now I don't think PM will actually charge me $5 bucks/Month surcharge.  However, if they do then I'm gone.  Would seem kinda silly to drop a $grand on a new Telus approved phone to save $2bucks a month

[waytay]

You think that's why PM didn't ok them (because of a risk to their network or liability to older phones)?

[slusagm]

---

@waytay wrote:

What a waste of perfectly still-good devices!

---

@waytay 

old devices might be working well, but they lack the security updates and easier to be compromised or hacked.  Also, some apps, especially banking apps, might not even work with those "perfectly still -good devices" but with outdated OS

[waytay]

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

Technically yes.  But PM just won't accept certain phones even if they are 4G voLTE capable.

[waytay]

What a waste of perfectly still-good devices!

[hTideGnow]

hi @Peterchen123 

how long you used your S25?  maybe PM still has your old phone on record

ask PM support agent to confirm if they see you having a S25 and let them know you shouldn't got charged with the extra $5

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            

[Peterchen123]

I got the same text message. I have a Samsung Galaxy S25. This makes no sense.

[waytay]

Apparently, until March 2027 when 3G ends.  For most carriers/providers

[hTideGnow]

hi @Yenlinchen01 

You might have a 4G/5G phone, and a 4G/5G plan and using 4G/LTE/5G for data,  and your phone might support VoLTE,  But PM has a VoLTE whitelist and only phones on the list can use VoLTE.   

Since you got that text, your phone likely is not on the VoLTE whitelist.  If that is the case,   while you are using 4G or LTE or 5G for data, when you are making calls, the system will ball back to 3G for voice calls. 

When the 3G network ends, you won't be able to use any network for calls with your current phone

So, 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

[Yenlinchen01]

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 4G data on my phone & I don’t really understand the extra charge. I have no way of contacting anyone so I'm posting here. 

[McMobile]

Yeah the only issue with that is the message states "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." If a user prevents their device from accessing the 3G network the CRTC might have an issue with Public Mobile charging people this "usage" fee if they aren't actually using it. 

[waytay]

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

[hTideGnow]

---

@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.

---

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??