Community

Peggie29 · Thursday

I just received a text warning me that my device will no longer work on the Public Mobile Network after 3G is shut down in Manitoba, which is supposed to start happening in most areas December 31, 2025... and that I should switch to Telus (no thanks).

Can someone explain to me why this is so, when I have a Samsung s9+ that supports 4G/LTE - or link me to the appropriate community article that explains it?

BKNS27 · Thursday

@sheytoon

That is strange, I see it on my Samsung S9.

sheytoon · Thursday

@hTideGnow not that I know of. Telus doesn't have 850 licenses in Manitoba. But I'm not familiar with MB plans in general.

umnikke8 · Thursday

Telus and Bell also announcing the same thing. Since Public & Telus customers in MB use Bell's network in rural areas and Telus's for the cities.

https://www.telus.com/en/support/article/3g-shutdown-manitoba

https://support.bell.ca/mobility/network_coverage/hspa_network

computergeek541 · Thursday

@williamb wrote:
My wife got the same message today, she has an S10e, when she is on a call it says 4G. When not on a call it says LTE. Sounds like it will be fine. Thanks!

It won't be fine. When a phone switches from LTE to 4G during a phone call, this means that the device isn't using VoLTE for that call. 4G in this case actually means a HSPA/3G network. Many phones show 4G when it is actually a 3G network. This is due to a marketing concept that was used by several cell phone carriers to rename what was always known as the 3G network to 4G.

umnikke8 · Thursday

Help article about it

https://publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/3g-shutdown

hTideGnow · Thursday

hi @williamb

Samsung is weird, when it shows 4G, it is actually using 3G , only if it shows LTE means 4G

would I change phone ? I wouldn't rush. From what we understand, they are only shutting down one of the 2 bands (850) and still have the other one working. For most of us, that one band is enough

so, wait till you really have trouble with calls.

But of course, S10 is a 5 years phone and no more security update, it is not bad an idea to shop for a new phone anyway

williamb · Thursday

so back to the original posters question - does the phone need to be replaced?
When on calls it shows 4G.

hTideGnow · Thursday

hi @williamb

it is normal the VoLTE not there, PM hides it

but S10 is not compatible with PM's VoLTE, so, the VoLTE toggle is turned off by the carrier and you cannot turn it on

williamb · Thursday

Our S10e does not show any settings for VoLTE.

The only choices under Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Mode are:
- LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)
- WCDMA/GSM
- WCDMA only
- GSM only

Peggie29 · Thursday

There is no option to enable or disable VoLTE on my Samsung s9+ - the option is missing while I'm using the Public Mobile Sim card.

Peggie29 · Thursday

My phone does the same thing - if I turn off WiFi. 4G or LTE indicators.
But if Public Mobile decides they won't enable VoLTE on phones that support it, I only have bad words to say.

Would love to hear from someone with an older Samsung Phone in an area where they've already turned off 3G.

Peggie29 · Thursday

FULL TEXT:
4011

Public Mobile here.

Important upcoming network changes will impact your service.

The 3G network will be shutting down in Manitoba on December 31, 2025, with the exception of Winnipeg and Brandon, which will be shutting down on March 31, 2026. After the shutdown, your device will no longer work on the Public Mobile network. To avoid service disruption, you will need to switch to TELUS.

If you've recently upgraded to a compatible 4G or 5G device, no action is required.

To help you stay connected and make switching easy, we’ve teamed up with TELUS to offer you exclusive savings on 5G plans. Plus, you can keep your current device and phone number.

Call 1-866-975-3052 or visit any TELUS store and mention promo code MBPP2P. Locations: publicmobile.ca/sl/rHM8FYVvMr

For more information about the network changes, please visit publicmobile.ca/sl/Jl6j1yoghi

Conditions apply. Subject to approved credit.

BKNS27 · Thursday

@Peggie29

3G will be decommissioned in Canada by the end of 2025 from what I recall but it shouldn’t be a problem with your Samsung S9+. I have the Samsung S9 and all you have to do is go to Settings>Connections>Mobile Networks>and enable VoLTE calls and you should be good to go.
Also on Mobile Networks>enable GSM, HSPA/LTE(auto connect).

williamb · Thursday

My wife got the same message today, she has an S10e, when she is on a call it says 4G. When not on a call it says LTE. Sounds like it will be fine. Thanks!

Chalupa_Batman · Thursday

@Peggie29 wrote:
I just received a text warning me that my device will no longer work on the Public Mobile Network after 3G is shut down in Manitoba, which is supposed to start happening in most areas December 31, 2025... and that I should switch to Telus (no thanks).
Can someone explain to me why this is so, when I have a Samsung s9+ that supports 4G/LTE - or link me to the appropriate community article that explains it?

To confirm if your phone will work with Public Mobile, please see this link. These are currently and mildly out of date lists of what can work.

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

Since this phone is only 6 years old, there really shouldn't be too much of an issues since it does have access to 4G. However, Public Mobile hasn't updated their VoLTE list in years and seriously needs to upgrade it no matter how many times they are asked to do so by customers.

Let me ask you this. When you make a call and you look at the phone WHILE you're in the call... does it say 3G or 4G? If it says 3G, might need a new phone in the new year. If it's 4G, you should be OK. I get the impression that anyone who's been on the 3G freq get this message.

hTideGnow · Thursday

hi @Peggie29

what was the exact text look like ?

and @sheytoon is 3G going to fully shut down in Manitoba this year?

hairbag1 · Thursday

@Peggie29

that's gonna happen across north America eventually. You need a cellphone that has VoLTE built in AND is recognized by Public Mobile as not all VolTE phones are recognized by PM. Check out the list...but that list is evolving.

added VoLTE list...

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