US Data add-on: 3G or 4G?

[dlanced2]

Does the data on the US Roam-Talk-Txt 3 GB (15 day) add-on use 4G or 3G networks? There are warnings in the Public add-on documentation that 3G networks will (probably) no longer work, but there's no clarity over what network the add-on actually uses now. So how can I know whether the add-on will actually work?

[Phil_Adelphus]

@dlanced2  I just tried (with WiFi turned off) and the call remained on 4G!

That sounds promising!  There are some phones that VoLTE works for with PM that are not on the list, hopefully you're one of the lucky ones.

[dlanced2]

The last time I took this trip (through western NY, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey) - using a different roaming service - I had T-Mobile all the way. So that's good news.

[dlanced2]

I just tried (with WiFi turned off) and the call remained on 4G!

[Phil_Adelphus]

@dlanced2   Unfortunately not all VoLTE capable phones are enabled for it by their carriers, I found that out the hard way with my previous phone on another carrier.  You can try it but don't be surprised if it doesn't work!  You can test it while you're in Canada - turn off wifi and make a phone call.  If it drops to 3G in the status bar at the top you're out of luck. 

[eddieO]

@dlanced2 my wife's Galaxy S10+ is in the same situation, the specs show that it supports VoLTE but it's not on PM's whitelist and when she was in Florida she was not able to make or receive calls through AT&T although texts and data did work. T-Mobile worked for all features because she was able to connect to their 2G

[dlanced2]

Thanks. I noticed that the A11 wasn't on the Public list, but GPT (and other sources) claimed that VoLTE was enabled for the phone, so I hoped for the best.

But I guess that might have been optimisitic.

[Phil_Adelphus]

@dlanced2  The Galaxy A11 is not on Public Mobile's VoLTE approved list here

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

So you will likely have to connect to T-Mobile's 2G network for voice calls (data and text should still work though) or use a free voip app like Fongo or TextNow for phone calls.

[eddieO]

@dlanced2, even though your phone is VoLTE capable, if it's not on PM's actual whitelist of devices that feature might not work and after looking up the current list I don't see the Galaxy A11 on there:

To check if your device is VoLTE-Roaming enabled, please check this list:

• Apple iPhone 8 & above (iOS 16 & above)
• Google Pixel 4/4XL/4a/4a 5G (TP1A.220624.014 & above)
• Google Pixel 5 (TP1A.220624.014 & above)
• Google Pixel 6a (TP1A.220624.021.A1 & above)
• Google Pixel 6/6 Pro (TP1A.220624.021 & above)
• Google Pixel 7/7 Pro (TD1A.220804.009.A2 & above)
• Samsung S23 (AVK2 & above)
• Samsung S22/S22+/S22 Ultra (CWAI & above)
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 & Fold4 (CWAC & above)
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G & Fold3 5G (FWB1 & above)
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G (HWB1 & above)
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G (JWB5 & above)
• Samsung Note20 5G/Ultra 5G (HWB3& above)
• Samsung A53 5G (CWB4 & above)
• Samsung S21 FE 5G (EWB3 & above)
• Motorola edge 2022 (S2ST32.71-71 & above)
• Motorola Moto g 5G (S2SA32.1-54 & above)
• Motorola Moto g power (2022) (S3RQ32.20-42-10 & above)
• Motorola Moto g pure (S3RH32.20-42-10 & above)
• Motorola Moto g stylus 5G (2022) (S2SD32.21-85-3 & above)
• TCL 303 (V9Q1K & above)
• TCL 30 XE 5G (DM9M & above)
• TCL 20s (9DI0 & above)
• TCL 30 5G (7FCU & above)
• Sonim XP10 Rugged Phone (10.0.0-01-12.0.0-12.25.10 & above)
• ZTA Blade A7P (Z6252CAV1.0.0B15 & above)

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

My wife's Galaxy S10+ is in the same situation, it has the feature but is not on PM's whitelist and while in Florida she had to be connected to T-Mobile if she wanted to make or receive calls as they are the only carrier in the U.S. that still has 2G service although it's not widely available. On AT&T she had no issues with text messages incoming or outgoing, and no issues with data

[dlanced2]

Yup. My phone (Samsung Galaxy A11) is compatible. 

I appreciate everyone's help. Thanks!

[hairbag1]

@dlanced2

the US has shut down their 3G for talk in US. You now need to have a volte enabled phone that is on the PM volte whitelist to have best talkability in US.

You 3G, 4G and LTE plan will work in US.

[Dunkman]

@dlanced2 

3G network has been decommissioned in the USA.  So while roaming, Public mobile customers will get LTE/4G network and in some areas 5G network.  

Public mobile uses T mobile, AT&T and Verizon networks.  

One potential issues with the lack of 3G network is voice calling.  Need to have a VoLTE compatible phone with Public mobile to have reliable talk service while roaming in the United States.  

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

[BKNS27 · Accepted solution]

@dlanced2 

Since the decommission of 3G in the USA. You can use 4G/LTE and 2G (T-Mobile) but enable Roaming, VoLTE (voice over LTE) and manually connect to AT&T or T-Mobile.

Add-on is working if your phone is working.