Unable to Make Calls in New Service Area

[TrevorBurridge]

We have the public mobile 3G 1GB data plan.  We are now in an area that previously did not have cell service but has recently had a new cell tower installed.

The iPhone is showing 4 cell bars with LTE service.  I can send and receive text messages but CANNOT make or receive telephone calls.

Any idea what the cause of this would be?  Is it the SIM card, the cell package (i.e., do I need to upgrade to a 4G plan), or a combination of SIM card and cell package?

[softech]

@TrevorBurridge   it was supposed to be last year, but it never happened.

So, it should be this year, hopefully

[TrevorBurridge]

any update on when VoLTE might be enabled by PM?

[sheytoon]

@TrevorBurridge unfortunately they won't announce it in advance. It'll just get enabled one day. I was expecting it this year as well, but it seems 2023 could be the year.

[hTideGnow]

HI@TrevorBurridge 

we were expecting VoLTE to arrive end of this year.  Not sure what was the hold up, but it is very likely it will come next year.  

If you cannot stand it, Koodo would be a good alternative as Koodo has VoLTE enabled already

[umnikke8]

@TrevorBurridge They will enable VoLTE as it will be a requirement, it nearly is already. They haven't provided any specific timeline for when they are doing so.

Just for my own curiosity to confirm, you flipped your phone to 3G only/max and got no service in your area?

[TrevorBurridge]

@darlicious @umnikke8 @sheytoon This appears to be the issue. How can we find out if and when Public Mobile will be enabling VoLTE?

[sheytoon]

Also agree with @umnikke8 and @darlicious. New cell sites are deployed with 4G and 5G, but no 3G.

Until VoLTE is activated, you will need 3G for voice calls.

[darlicious · Accepted solution]

@TrevorBurridge 

I would agree with @umnikke8 that it's likely that your new cell tower does not transmit the 3G network necessary your voice services with pm. Until pm enables VoLTE for pm customers (hopefully very soon but sometime this year?) the workaround for this issue would be to call forward your phone number when unreachable to a voip provider phone number (download textnow and choose a Canadian phone #). This must be done when you can connect to the 3G network. Then whenever you have non3G coverage your incoming calls will be forwarded to your voip phone #. You can use this service for free on wifi or while on mobile data it will use about 0.5mb/min.

You can also check your local cell tower for the bands it carries here...

https://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/cancellsites.html?lat=43.674863&lng=-79.557343&zoom=15&type=Road...

[softech]

@umnikke8 if you change your Preferred network type to 3G, does it connect at all?  you need 3G coverage for your voice calls

1. Select Settings.
2. Select Mobile Data.
3. Select Mobile Data Options.
4. Select Voice & Data.
5. To enable 3G, select 3G.

[umnikke8]

Seeing as it's a new tower and 3G is a very old technology, they probably did not install 3G on the new tower. Public requires 3G to make voice calls, but data can use the 4G network.

[hycm53]

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@TrevorBurridge wrote:

We have the public mobile 3G 1GB data plan.  We are now in an area that previously did not have cell service but has recently had a new cell tower installed.

The iPhone is showing 4 cell bars with LTE service.  I can send and receive text messages but CANNOT make or receive telephone calls.

Any idea what the cause of this would be?  Is it the SIM card, the cell package (i.e., do I need to upgrade to a 4G plan), or a combination of SIM card and cell package?

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Go settings>Cellular Data Options>Voice & Data set to 3G.

Check your area is in PM service coverage:

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/coverage?gclid=CLuo4c39yNQCFQQvaQodeZEC0g

[Handy1]

If your on a 3 g plan dose your iPhone setting cellular data say 3G it should , and also if on 4 g service you want it set to 4g /lte