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!

[Roo3d]

Hello, I have seen you copy-paste that same reply to multiple people.  This issue is affecting most of the phones in my collection - none will be able to use PM.  I'm not into the modern day Apple/Samsung/Google Phablets.  The thing is, all of my phones do support VoLTE.  But for some reason PM has chosen to block their access by not putting these devices on their whitelist.  I am wondering if you have any further information to support your statement that "your phone is not compatible with PM's VoLTE network" suggesting a technical problem with the phone rather than it being a whitelist issue on PM's end.  For PM to tell customers, essentially "Go and buy a recent Apple, Samsung or Google phone or we will increase your bill in a month as a penalty and kick you off entirely in a year or two" feels like quite an aggressive act towards their customers, especially when in the past year they already doubled my monthly cost for the same service with little warning. 

[Tamarra]

I did that too, but still no response, so I entered my IMEI number and it was rejected. I changed to Chatr, no problem with my phone there.

[Markk123]

I put in a help ticket, service ticket. After sending my acct info, phone info, etc. They replied today. about a 3 day wait period. Even though I was receiving these text messages for the $5. They confirmed that my phone is VoLTE compatible and to disregard these messages.... I believe the answer is to put in a help ticket if you can confirm with the IMEI checker that it is compatible with PM... Good Luck

[Surreypilot]

How do I get on the VoLTE Whitelist ?

[Tonya_B]

I had the same thing happen, I had to change to Chatr. 

[HS666]

"If you have a Umidigi G9x (or a phone with a UNISOC chip) and got the $5 3G surcharge text, don't throw the phone away! Try this:

1. Dial *#*#83781#*#* to enter EngineerMode.

2. Go to Telephony > VoLTE/VoWiFi.

3. Enable 'VoLTE Whitelist'.

4. Restart and check *#*#4636#*#* to see if IMS is 'Registered'. It saved me from a $5/month 'legacy fee'!"

If your phone is not using the UNINSO chipset but qualcomm or other, get a different number from AI chatbot.

[slusagm]

If it is from Samsung.ca , then it is

If it is from other places, you have to ask the seller for the exact model

Canadian model: SM-A566W

Other models that you might want to avoid:

SM-A566B — International/Europe
SM-A566E — Latin America/Asia
SM-A566U / U1 — U.S.
SM-A566N — Korea

And remember, other regional version could work but we are just not 100% sure ( and US version should work )

[Eves_2025]

How will i know if it is a Canadian version? I am planning to buy from Canada websites.

[Sansan]

I don't work for Public Mobile so I can't say for sure. The best way would be to check the specs, however, I think it would definitely work.

Phones within the last 4-5 years do work . It is 5G and will use 5G for calls so that's perfect.

And if you're gonna buy it always best to purchase it from the Best Buy store because you can always return to them no questions asked. I purchase online from rhem and return instore hassle free.

Another phone that also works well is Samsung A16 or 17. And they are cheaper. The disscrption will indicate the version type.

Canadian, US or international. 

[slusagm]

@Eves_2025 

If the A56 is a Canadian model and not those international version, then it will work

[Eves_2025]

Will Samsung A56 2025 sbe compatible? I dont know the imei as i a contemplating buying Samsung.

[Sansan]

Yes, the 5G is for data. Fallback to 3G for voice callimg which is what they are referring to.

Koodo or Telus might support for now, you can check their checker but Public Mobile is very restrive and most likely doesn't support.

So you would need to change phone or pay the $5 until the shutdown then you will not be able to use period.

[Eves_2025]

Hi I have OnePlus 8T 5g compatible phone.

I received the 5cad increase for 3g services. I use a physical sim, subscription is 5g. How do i know if i will be charged 5cad from june 15?

My phone OnePlus 8T supports 5g. There is no voice coverage in my house area.

[netcom]

I checked the IMEI from my phone and it wasn't compatible. I need to buy a new phone. I don't know what I can buy because I cannot find the PM whitelist.

[netcom]

Turns out I don't have a volte phone. I need to buy a new phone. But I cannot find any phones that actually work because no one knows where to find the PM phone whitelist.

[ammarcoux]

I got the same message yesterday about being charge $5 more since my device is using 3G and doesn't support VOLTE. I got a OnePlus 8 and using LTE for data and voice as shown in the screenshot:


Looks like others are in the same boat.

[ammarcoux]

Got the same message as well even though my phone is a OnePlus 8 which supports 4G LTE and 5G. My voice and data is using LTE as shown by the phone info screenshot:

Using LTE...


If you want to check the same thing on your Android phone type this in your phone dialer:

*#*#4636#*#*

If the $5 increase is true this is completely unacceptable and will be filling a complaint to the CRTC.

[waytay]

..or just move to another provider that accepts your 4g voLTE phone

[waytay]

And yet PM's parent carrier, Telus has a more extensive up-to-date 'whitelist' and accepts way more 4g voLTE devices.  Same with Koodo (also Telus).

Heck, even Bell's tier providers all accept most 4g voLTE phone brands

[Alveeto]

Thanks for the lead.

[waytay]

There are options here: ie,  "no name mobile" (from PC Mobile on Bell network) has a good basic plan for same price as PM.  And their 'whitelist' is way more comprehensive and inclusive.  For instance, my wife's awesome little S10e is fully 4g voLTE compatible there, while not here on PM.   She'll probably switch over. 

Heck, I may also switch over with my S23

[Alveeto]

According to the IMEI checker on here, it is compatible. I just don't have esim support.

[MJFallah]

My phone was compatible with Rogers/Fido network; but, it's not with Telus/PM Networks for some reason. Although, this is NOT strictly speaking a matter of compatibility as providers simply black list certain brands and models without checking. It's much easier to white list popular models and black list everything than evaluate every single phone to see if they're compatible.

They have done the same at Rogers/Fido and they did the same in Australia. 

[dm-peit-050507]

There is an IMEA site that can generate IMEIs. I do not see a Moto G5 Power though. I only see G7 and G15.
https://www.imei.info/motorola-imei-generator/

There is likely no guarantee this will work 100% on PM, but it's worth checking the compatibility before purchasing (it it gets all Xs avoid). I imagine for perfect whitelisting, you would want to check your actual IMEI number from the device you own (each device has unique number DO not share this on the forum!)

[netcom]

Do you know where I can find this Public Mobile whitelist. For instance I am looking at the Moto G5 Power in 2024, 2025, and 2026 editions but I don't know if any of them are compatible. They all say they are volte compatible.

[dm-peit-050507]

Thanks for the suggestion
It appears they have removed the "Other" option from the categories. Going from "Contact Us" to "Other" just puts you in an endless loop (at least in the Toronto, Ontario region). I'll try the direct message option.

[hTideGnow]

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@dm-peit-050507 wrote:

I purchased the 2025 Moto Razr. This was on the recommended list on the Telus site (activated by following Public Mobile promo code). It also passes the IMEI checked (as mentioned above). I am still getting notifications that I will be charged 5$ a month for 3G service.

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hi @dm-peit-050507 

there seems to be some false negatives with the text.  Also, PM system could have cached your old device and sent you the text by mistake.  

if you use the PM  IMEI checker and showing it has a check mark for VoLTE , then take the screenshot and open a ticket with PM agent:

 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

[dm-peit-050507]

I purchased the 2025 Moto Razr. This was on the recommended list on the Telus site (activated by following Public Mobile promo code). It also passes the IMEI checked (as mentioned above). I am still getting notifications that I will be charged 5$ a month for 3G service.

[netcom]

Thanks. I figured out that my Moto G8 Power was incompatible so I need a new phone.

[hTideGnow]

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@netcom wrote:

I have a Moto G8 Power. So, thanks. I figured it out. I put in my IMEI and it said I am not compatible. I guess I should upgrade. My phone is 6 years old.

---

hi @netcom 

for Moto G Power, you need the one released after 2022.  G8 Power was an earlier version from 2020

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