Using US roaming after Feb. 2022 - the issue re. 3G networks

[Laur2]

Help!  I planned to buy a US roaming package for a trip to California in March, 2022.  But I saw a message that said that the roaming packages won't work for some customers due to the 3G change.  I have NO idea what this means for me.  My phone works with 4G but are they saying that Public Mobile only partners with US carriers that rely on 3G?  If so, doesn't that mean that NO one can use the US roaming package once the US switches off of 3G?  I have no idea what to do.

[Laur2]

Thanks for explaining!  Yeah, there was so much good info from each reply that I found every one of them to be useful.  I will definitely come back if I need other questions answered.  

[Anonymous]

You're fine. It happens. A question is asked and then it kinda morphs into another hopefully related topic. You asked about the 3G shutdown and the effect it will have here for roaming add-ons. But you did ask what to do. Then BKNS27 quite reasonably suggested the idea of a US service. Then that could have been your solution since you liked the swapping SIM's tip.

Edit: The other suggestion was that you could use the roaming add-ons here and just use T-Mobile.

But you're fine. It was great having your participation. Some people come in and ask something and then disappear without another word.

[Laur2]

Sorry - since I"m new, I didn't realize that I'm only supposed to choose one solution to "accept".  I should have just hit like rather than accept as solution.  I'm afraid I need patience - still learning this community board thing.  🙂

[Laur2]

Ok, I just have to say THANK YOU to everyone who replied.  This is my first time ever using a community board for help and I am blown away at the kindness and knowledge you have shown.  And the details were great too (e.g., telling me to power off phone, keep the sim card in a ziplock bag.) Given all the challenges in the world today, it's very helpful to konw that - at least at Public Mobile's community board - people are still kind and helpful to each other.  You made my day.

[BKNS27]

@Anonymous 

Sounds like the OP will continue on her current plan while travelling.

[Anonymous]

 @BKNS27 : Is that really the solution to your original question? 🙂 Then, of course, upon your return, the Public Mobile account would need to be active.

[BKNS27]

@Laur2 

Yes, pop the PM SIM in the phone and it should work…remember to power off the phone before you swap the SIMs in your phone then power the phone back on.

[Laur2]

WOW - ok, I think I get it now but let me try to summarize:  I will likely get Tello or Mint (any recommendation re. which one is better??) by first making sure they fit with my IMEI and then buying a SIM card for it.  Once in the US I put in the new SIM card, activate the service and use it while there.  Since I don't go away for that long, I will likely keep my Publice Mobile plan alive while gone.  SO when I return, I simply put my Public Mobile sim card back in and my Public Mobile plan will work with it - no need to do anything else.  Did I get this right?

[BKNS27]

@Laur2 

Remember to keep the PM SIM in a safe place so you won’t loss it!

Like in a small sandwich ziplock bag.

[Anonymous]

 @Laur2 : It was added detail that may or may not apply to your situation. If you're going out of country for an extended period of time then the question might be do you want to keep paying for your plan that you're not using if you don't get US roaming.

Then there's the question of how often and for how long would you be in the US.

It's just musing about possibilities and contingencies.

[BKNS27]

@Laur2 

No, once you remove the SIM and put in a USA SIM. You will be continue paying on your current plan while you are in California.

You can also use WhatsApp or TextNow through wifi for free while you are connected to wifi.

[Laur2]

I can't believe how helpful this community is.  Thanks!  Unfortuantely, my lack of techy-ness means I'm not sure what you mean re. "remove youre CC information until you return back"  and not sure what you mean about having 90 days to reactivate my payment or account and sim is cancelled.  Do you mean my Public Mobile account will be deactivated just by putting in a different SIM card for a while?  Man, this stuff is over my head.

[BKNS27]

@Laur2 

It would be cheaper and better to get a local SIM like Mint or Tello but remember to remove your CC information until you return back…you have 90 days to reactivate your payment or your account and SIM will be cancelled.

Or you can select T-Mobile on your Cellular Network Selection.

[Anonymous]

 @Laur2 : As said in the link from above, Fido prepaid will not be offering roaming.

I did a bunch of looking at budget providers not long ago. I liked PayGo from Ultra Mobile. Pretty much for low usage but for $3 a month how much calls and texts do you do when visiting anyway. And there's wifi practically everywhere. And you can use voip apps for talk and text on wifi.

[Laur2]

Oh thank you so much.  Sounds like this is going to be a major issue for customers who visit the US.  At this point, I'm considering buying a separate package from a US carrier that will allow me to switch the sim card and use that carrier when down in the US since I visit there pretty often.   BUT I don't know which carriers would be most reasonable for US visitors.  AND I'm not techy at all. 

Thanks for your help!

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

 @Laur2 : AT&T has already turned off their 3G network. T-Mobile will in July. So when there just stay connected to T-Mobile and you'll be fine...until July.

I am not at all as confident as the Oracle in VoLTE working in the states. We have yet to see verified proof of this working.

We need people to have a phone that has VoLTE capability and that they can turn it on or off (mine is greyed out) and to connect to AT&T and to try a call and see if it goes through and to watch the indicators on the top bar.

[will13am]

@Laur2 , when the roaming partners in the US sunset their 3G network, it means that your phone will be connecting to their LTE network exclusively including phone calls (VoLTE).  Provided that your phone has the LTE capability, there is no material impact.  I mentioned the roaming impact in this thread not long ago.

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Get-Support/FYI-on-US-roaming/td-p/788170