US roaming plan

[JCorbett]

Hi

i am seeing mixed messages if the us roaming plans works. My sons both use public mobile and I would like to add it on for them if it it’s actually work. 

[Jsmg]

The thread link will not allow access.

I have an iPhone SE gen 2 and am worried if I will get any service in the US. I have a US plan with Public mobile but will my old phone get any networks there? My understanding is my phone gets 3G and LTE (not 4G LTE which seems to be different??)

I would love to know if I will be able to use my phone or not.

[fgood2]

I got the CAN-US plan and thanks to this thread I was able to get my data working in Portland OR.  I was defaulted to ATT and a ll I had to do was change the network to tmobile on my iphone.

[softech]

@JMSOC 

no extra charge for sure, PM is prepaid, no surprise billing

without roaming, technically no service .

But if you cannot to T-Mobile, you will still receive text for free and that is the only service you got without roaming add-on. But just incoming text for free, you cannot reply or cannot send 

[dust2dust]

@JMSOC- You can receive sms texts without a roaming add-on. All other services need the add-on. No extra charges.

[JMSOC]

What happens if we don't buy a plan? Will the phone just not work in the US? Or will there be crazy charges. We don't care about this one in particular working. Just a child's device and he won't need it for a few days.

[JCorbett]

Thank you, that is very helpful.

[darlicious]

@JCorbett 

Yes the $30 price is for the entire 15 days (360 hrs) or $2/day. Text and data use the 4G LTE network and has good coverage in most states but there are a few that rural areas are very underserved or in the case of Alaska not served at all. T-Mobile's 2G network is very much location, location, location! Pretty good in most urban areas not so good in rural areas especially in the western US. Downloading a voip provider app like textnow or fongo is a good back up option to be used on wifi or mobile data.

Find more info on US Roaming add ons in the following thread....

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Get-Support/US-Roaming-Add-ons-Decommissioning-of-US-...

Read the update post and you can preplan by using the cell mapper link to view detailed info on T-Mobile's 2G network coverage maps and local 2G network cell tower zone coverage.

[Meow]

It will depend on your luck and coverage (if still exists) in area he is going to.

According to Public Mobile:

PM will have T-mobile 2G network for US talk. Try to manually connect to T-mobile.

Roaming is for Data only. Voice and SMS text will still work.

Data will work on LTE, but will switch over to 2G to make a call.

However, the quality of service will vary depending on the different coverage areas when roaming in the USA.

[hTideGnow]

Hi @JCorbett the cost is for the 15 days.

Data should work fine, please keep in mind Roaming talk might not work too well, it needs to use T-MOBILE 's 2G network which coverage is not that great.   But download a VoIP app as a backup.  Even if voice does not work, you can call using the VoIP app as long as data work or when you have access to Wifi

[JCorbett]

We are going next week so will purchase right before we go. Looking at the $30 plan, is that the total cost for the 15 days or per day?

[HALIMACS]

@JCorbett 

Remember that these 15 day add-ons start as soon as you purchase it, not when one enters the USA.

After 360 hours, they’re gone whether used or not.

[Handy1]

@JCorbett  It’s definitely hit  or miss when it comes to voice , if going more then 15 days I’d suggest just getting a local pre paid SIM card in your destination probably cheaper and certainly more reliable 

[dust2dust]

Are they in the states? The roaming works fine for data and text as long as you're in a T-Mobile coverage area. (as it is with all providers). The problem comes with talk. T-Mobile still operates their old 2G and they let us roam on it for talk. But that coverage is more limited. The phone has to be able to drop down or be able to set to 2G. Some have removed that capability recently.