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]

@Anna_Yeonjun 

Take a screenshot of the IMEI checker result and open ticket with PM and ask them to confirm and make a note on the account so they won't charge you 

To open ticket, Just open ticket with PM using the Orange Chatbot icon on the lower right. (For 2FA when login, you might need to use email to receive if you cannot receive the text on the phone.) Type the question Submit ticket and select Contact Us to get to ticket open screen       

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

CS_Agent will reply to your community inbox, check here: https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/privatenotespage

[Anna_Yeonjun]

Thank you so much for your reply. I checked IMEI on the link and it says VoLTE Network and 5G Speed. My phone is Samsung GalaxyA34. What to do now? Could you please let me know? Thank you agian!

[Chapman-Boss]

I will be getting a new cellphone it's on Thursday May 21 it's on back order My plan it due May 26 so as your email says l should still pay $25.00 a month Thank You 

[waytay]

PM is owned by Telus. These voLTE phones work ok on both Telus and Koodo.  They appear to have been crippled on PM for other reasons that Telus won't divulge.  But many of us subscribers suspect...

[Tamarra]

After a deep rabbit hole, what I understand to be a brief version is that it's probably not our phones， the carrier, Telus, can turn VoLTE on since it's on your phone. But if your phone is not on the whitelist, meaning the manufacturer hasn't paid Telus for access, then they have disabled it. That's why you see the option for it, but can't toggle it.

[waytay]

Completely agree.  I know my wife's S10e has been an issue with PM since we subscribed.  But didn't much matter to us as she only wants her phone for emergencies and some surfing while waiting in a doctors office.  3g was Ok.

Same goes for the mother-ship Telus and Koodo -- S10e is whitelisted there.

I'm suspecting that PM no longer wants people on their low cost plans that use 3g.  Perhaps the declined phones would be ok on their 4g plans?  Or perhaps Telus is prodding folks to jump back to them or Koodo?  Or maybe Telus wants to sell more updated phones to disaffected PM subscribers?

There are other discount providers out there nowadays offering very similar or better deals than Telus's PM.  Loblaws No-name on the Bell system comes to mind.  They are actively looking for subscribers, even sending out SIMs free of charge to those who ask.  And they (Bell) will fully accept her 2019 4G voLTE phone with no issues.  And their plans don't increase in cost unless you change to another tier. 

Whatever, they are going lose a lot of subscribers with this practice.  Especially when other providers have no problem accepting dated but compatible phones.

Because the industry is so competitive, it has become even easier to switch providers. 

[NT31]

Hi Slusagm, I am now considering buying a new phone AHLO it is made in Canada and available through Bell & Virgin Plus - I do not need many features just the basics because I need to have it for emergencies otherwise using the laptop is easier for me. thank you so much for the info and have a wonderful weekend.

[NT31]

Thank you so much HS666. I am now considering buying a new phone AHLO, which is made in Canada and available through Bell & Virgin Plus. I do not need the bells & whistles just a basic phone for security, otherwise I use the laptop it's easier for me. Have a wonderful weekend.

[NT31]

Hi Markk123, lucky you - I put in a ticket that never got a reply. so I followed up with another ticket & I got lucky. But I am considering moving away from PM - no real support we all rely on each other not customer support. so I am considering buying a new phone AHLO which is made in Canada and currently available through Bell & Virgin Plus - I don't need the bells & whistles so a basic phone is good for me if the companies are responsive. Good luck to you.

[NT31]

Hi Roo3d, I am considering buying a new phone AHLO, it is made in Canada, and currently available with Bell & Virgin Plus. I don't need all the bells & whistles I need the phone for emergencies other wise I use a laptop which is easier for me. hope that helps, all the best to you. 

ca

[NT31]

Hi John2112, I am considering buying a new phone, made in Canada, Ahlo - currently it is available for Bell & Virgin Plus - it is a basic phone and I don't need the bells & whistles - I am senior and need a phone especially for emergencies, otherwise I use a laptop it's easier for me... something to think about. All the best

[john2112]

I got check marks across the board on the IMEI checker so I think it's got to be the plan I'm on. It's the cheapest one I could find so it no doubt goes directly to the 3G side of the network. I'll have to upgrade my plan so to save $5 I'm going to have to spend $10. They've got me. lol. PS I use a Moto G 5G 2024 model.

[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