US voice roaming

[IslandFred]

I have a plan that includes full time US Roaming. I am having trouble with voice service in the US but data service works fine. I have always had good voice service up until this year. I am pretty sure this is related to the 3G HSPA shutdown that is underway in the US. I can occasionally make or receive a voice call but mostly it doesn't work.

I understand that Public Mobile says it is working on implementing VoLTE to address this problem but in the meantime they continue to sell the voice roaming services when they don't work most of the time. It would be nice to have some sort of indication of when this issue will be resolved. 

It borders on fraud to sell this roaming service when it simply doesn't work as expected or presented.

Hoping for some solution soon or I will be switching to another provider.

Islander

[IslandFred]

I spent 4 days in Washington State and the VoLTE service worked very well. Calls completed quickly and clearly. Happy that this is working again and tanks for all the input from those who commented.

Glad this got solved but PM sure could do better communicating with subscribers.

Fred

[Slothie]

Reporting back.  I spent 9 days in Maui.  Roaming worked perfectly, data was not an issue.  My coverage worked fantastic in Kihei, Wailea, Paia, Lahina, Kannapalli, and around the airport.  Didn't test data speed, but data worked for maps, and general web surfing.  I didn't load any videos on roaming data.

I had another post in the community in "The Lounge":

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/The-Lounge/Recent-Public-Mobile-roaming-experience-in...

[Slothie]

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@dust2dust wrote:

@Slothie- Please report back your experience.

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Okay, will do!  My phone is Pixel 4A so hopefully can do 2G just fine.  I'm bringing my work phone as a backup just in case.

[dust2dust]

@Slothie- Please report back your experience. I didn't go down to Kihei. The airport and Kahului area and out to the Kihei junction north of Kihei was fine. I lost some reception along the windy highway and still the outskirts of Lahaina. But getting into Lahaina and the beach area to the north was fine.

Leave the phone on automatic networks. It can only connect to T-Mobile so there's no point in manually connecting to it. Talk needs the phone to be able to drop down to 2G. Some phones are removing that capability. That's the trouble part. As long as you're in a T-Mobile coverage area, you'll get data and text just fine.

[Slothie]

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@dust2dust wrote:

I've had fine service all around in the West Maui Lahaina area and Honolulu.

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This is good to know.  I'm headed to Maui (Kihei) next month.  Was very worried about cell coverage when I'm there.

[will13am · Accepted solution]

@IslandFred , I suggest staying patient.  You have an awesome legacy plan with a nice reward system to further reduce fees.  VoLTE is surely just around the corner, considering 3G phase out in Canada is fast approaching.  I can't see any carrier brand dragging things out too much longer. 

[IslandFred]

I hope that is the case. It's hard to understand that if they have a plan to get VoLTE functioning why they wouldn't let the customers know when to expect this to happen.

I have referred many friends and family members to PM but can't see doing that anymore.

I did find a solution for my wife with Tello in the US. She has 1GB data, 300 mins talk to the US,Canada and Mexico, along with unlimited text for $8/mo. Online platform works well and there is better customer service than PM has. They emailed me an eSim and I ported a T Mobile number over in minutes. No $10 charge for the eSim like Telus. If you need cheap US service it's worth a look. I plan to switch to the absolute cheapest plan and keep it active while we are back in Canada so it's available to her when we travel to the US. Cheapest plan is $5/mo so for $60 we have a permanent plan. If PM doesn't get this roaming sorted out soon I may just get another Tello number for myself as well.

[IslandFred]

Well that's how it used to work, and it worked well. I've had this plan for several years and never had a complaint.

I tried manually setting it to T Mobile and rebooted, I can make a call at times but will need to get out and see if it works any better in the real world. I had good service on Oahu in the fall, Seattle was nearly useless in Dec/Jan. I have virtually no voice in my current US location.

[hTideGnow]

HI @IslandFred 

I saw an oracle post saying PM might have VoLTE for roaming Q1 2023.  So, it could be around the corner.  Hang on to your plan 

[dust2dust]

Leave your phone on automatic networks. When you get to the states it will connect to T-Mobile on its own. Text and data should be fine as long as you're in T-Mobile coverage area. Public has no control over that. Unlike the other tier 3 providers, at least we have some kind of talk connection. But yes it's on T-Mobiles old 2G network which has even less coverage areas which also is out of Publics control. So your phone needs to be able to drop down to it and even have the ability to use 2G as some phones are removing that capability.

I've had fine service all around in the West Maui Lahaina area and Honolulu.

[IslandFred]

I agree completely, I have been very happy with the $60 plan up until now. It would just be nice to have some clarity on the voice roaming issue. Doesn't seem too much to ask. Eventually the 3G network will be turned down in Canada so there needs to be a long term solution.

[computergeek541]

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@IslandFred wrote:

Yes I am on the old $60 US plan. I spend a month or two at times in the US so using the add on plan is not economical nor would it work any better. I also call US numbers from Canada so that would require a further add on. They are selling a product under false pretences in my opinion. The roaming package is simply substandard.

I accept the limited customer service from Public Mobile as part of the deal but this situation is not what i expect.

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As long as the 3g speeds for data use in Canada are fast enough for and you roam in the U.S. regularly, I highly suggest keeping the $60 plan that includes roaming.  When and if VoLTE gets introducted, the roaming experience will greatly improve, at least for voice services. 

[IslandFred]

Yes I am on the old $60 US plan. I spend a month or two at times in the US so using the add on plan is not economical nor would it work any better. I also call US numbers from Canada so that would require a further add on. They are selling a product under false pretences in my opinion. The roaming package is simply substandard.

I accept the limited customer service from Public Mobile as part of the deal but this situation is not what i expect.

Islander

[dabr]

@IslandFred    Unfortunately, PM hasn't provided an update as to when VoLTe service will be available and yes you're right it would be nice if PM would do just that.

I'm guessing you're on the discontinued $60 plan that gives you unlimited US talk/text plus 2GB US roaming?  Depending on how often you go to the states, you might want to take a look at PM's current plans, especially the $40/15GB and $45/20GB but these do not include any free calls to US or roaming.  However, you can purchase the roaming add-ons for trips down south which now have 15 day timeline for use. 

Of course, you need to make the calculations as to what is most economical for your roaming needs since any change of plans will mean not being able to go back to a discontinued one.  Also it's recommended to schedule change at next renewal since PM doesn't prorate for unused days in current cycle.

[IslandFred]

Thanks. I will try that although in the past when I went to the US it was seamless and required no input. Will let you know if it helps.

[Handy1]

@IslandFred  Make sure your conned to T mobile and reboot the phone