What is going on with the network on March 17? Received SMS about possible connectivity issues

[erotavlas]

Text message i received is below.  Am I supposed to get a new device? Are they asking us to switch to Telus? What is going, I'm confused.  Also why is this being sent only 3 days before leaving us scrambling?

"Public Mobile here.

We are making upgrades to our network that may impact your connectivity with Public Mobile. After March 17th, your device may lose or experience a degraded connection.

To help you stay connected, we're teaming up with TELUS to offer you exclusive savings when you activate on a new device.

To redeem these offers, simply visit your nearest TELUS store and use promo code --. For a list of store locations, visit --

Need support? Contact us at --

Conditions apply. Subject to approved credit. While quantities last. Reply STOP or visit -- if you no longer wish to hear about Public Mobile offers."

[Karyathena1]

I think 5G is fine, I don't know about 4G. But I'm no expert 

[fionnlagh]

I got the same text but I'm on 4G. My husband who is on 5G did not get the message. Very confusing.

[computergeek541]

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@golfball wrote:

Your phone might still work on Monday but you should look at getting something more modern as soon as you can. The 3G could be turned down in your area at any time.

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Telus constantly makes changes to the network.  Currently, there is some testing being done for the repurposing of band 5.

[computergeek541]

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@BKNS27 wrote:

@Karyathena1 

Did you check the outage map?

https://istheservicedowncanada.com/status/telus/map 

But if 3G is working then it is not an outage. Unfortunately, you just have to wait for an agent to get back to you so keep your eyes on the Message icon in your avatar top right.

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Checking if the service down is unrelated to the question presented in this thread.  This thread is about future network issues that might occur.  Also, sites such istheservicedowncanada.com need to be used for information purposes only and not as a definititive resource of infromation.  The information there is crowd sourced.

[golfball]

Your phone might still work on Monday but you should look at getting something more modern as soon as you can. The 3G could be turned down in your area at any time.

[BKNS27]

@Karyathena1 

Did you check the outage map?

https://istheservicedowncanada.com/status/telus/map 

But if 3G is working then it is not an outage. Unfortunately, you just have to wait for an agent to get back to you so keep your eyes on the Message icon in your avatar top right.

[Karyathena1]

100% Also I just came back after filling out the CCTS complaint: their tag line on the opening page? "Public Mobile 100% Surpise Free"

I would say 100% full of surprises 😕

[Karyathena1]

Yes! Great idea! Will do! Need a break from researching phones 😞

[erotavlas]

I'm complaining to CCTS, screw this.  Everyone else should do the same.  This is not enough time to acquire a new device, period.  

[Karyathena1]

Absolutely! My head is spinning, I feel 5 months is short! But less than one business day!? 

[Karyathena1]

It's semi newer : I have the 50GB $35 I think per month I upgraded about 6 month ago (the plan not the phone)

I get a new phone when current one runs slow. This one is fine. It's the notice: I don't like to rush such a huge purchase. I haven't been able to make calls in the US for about 2 years but this notice is extremely short

[erotavlas]

Yeah its absurd.  Rogers is getting rid of 3G in July and the notified us 5 months ahead of that date that our phones would be affected.  I expected nothing less than that from PM.  

[erotavlas]

are you on an older legacy plan or the newer plan?  you're right that sounds super confusing.

[Karyathena1]

I got my at 2.28pm today for a Monday shut down. That's beyond outrageous for notice. My phone is an S10 so pretty sure it's 3G

[Karyathena1]

1000% why the short notice?? I've submitted a ticket but who knows? Even if I ordered a new phone it's not being delivered till Wednesday...hope I don't need 911 between Mon and Wed 😞

[erotavlas]

Yeah but there is so much confusion about this even if you stay with your carrier.  Firstly, all the carriers seem to be 'whitelisting' phones which is absurd like there is some secret technical problem for them to approve certain phones. So if your new phone isn't on the whitelist even though it supports VoLTE it is unknown if it will work or not.  Personally I think it is all BS and this new VoLTE tech is just a way for them to regress back to the dinosaur age when people were locked to contracts and had to get their phone from the carrier.  Totally blows the whole concept of BYOD out the window.  

[Karyathena1]

Does anyone think this is outrageous? Telling us at 2pm on a Friday that out phones may not work on Monday? What is this? I've sent a ticket, mine is a Galaxy S10 so definitely 3G but works fine. Why the short notice? Definitely don't like to be rushed into a new device/provider. I've submitted a ticket but not sure what to do except spen my weekend researching 😞

[AliBaba49]

The text is confusing, meaning that it does not clearly state that PM is ending the 3G service and only phones that are volte capable can continue operating normally. Instead, they suggest that the clients affected go to Tellus to change their plans which is even more bizarre!

If your phone shows 5G when on PM network and drops to 4G or LTE when making a regular GSM call, you should be okay regardless if your phone is on PM white list or not. But if it drops to 3G, then you cannot use your phone after the network upgrade

[Karyathena1]

This is crazy! We have 2 days' notice to change providers/get a new phone?? My phone works fine but it's not 5G I think it's 3G 

Is anywhere out there comparable to PM?? 

[golfball]

Just to be clear no one needs to change plan or carrier, you just need a newer phone. No matter which carrier you go to you will have to upgrade at some point as 3G service is being shut down in Canada.

PM's old "3G speed" plans are compatible with both old and new phones and is separate from the 3G network itself.

[hairbag1]

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@Meow wrote:

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@hairbag1 wrote:

@erotavlas 

there's been no "announcement" yet...but speculation has it that PM is closing down the 3g which will affect calling UNLESS you have a VoLTE certified cell that's on the PM whitelist of VoLTE enabled cells.

clipped from Help Files re: VoLTE.....https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

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So you are saying whoever is on $15 plan with older phone is kicked out from PM????

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Nope...you just will need a VoLTE cell to continue to talk with your $15 service.

edited

[will13am]

To those who have received this text, switching carrier brands will not make a difference as eventually all 3G networks in this country will be shut down.  The US have eliminated 3G networks much earlier.  This is not a mean spirited move to force customers to buy new hardware.  It is what happens with technological progress.  

[hairbag1]

@Meow 

I hope there's a plan to transition us $15 3g'ers to something else without totally shutting us out. As usual, Public Mobile is reluctant to use the "Announcement" section to keep us all informed so all we can do is wait and see at this point.

[Meow]

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@hairbag1 wrote:

@erotavlas 

there's been no "announcement" yet...but speculation has it that PM is closing down the 3g which will affect calling UNLESS you have a VoLTE certified cell that's on the PM whitelist of VoLTE enabled cells.

clipped from Help Files re: VoLTE.....https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte

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So you are saying whoever is on $15 plan with older phone is kicked out from PM????

[Sansan]

You always have a choice of providers.  You can stay, switch to Koodo  or Telus. Or go outside of the Telus umbrella. 

But, eventually other providers will follow suit. So just verify with them first if they intend to do the same soon  (chances are they might not know).

It just depends on your location and phone.  I believe this message has been circulating to various customers for about 2 weeks  now.

[hohawk]

Being compelled to purchase a compatible phone is not what i signed up for......seeya

[Lanky1]

My message is a little bit different, it said I can keep my own device but I need to switch to telus. I'm so confused. 

[hairbag1]

@erotavlas 

there's been no "announcement" yet...but speculation has it that PM is closing down the 3g which will affect calling UNLESS you have a VoLTE certified cell that's on the PM whitelist of VoLTE enabled cells.

clipped from Help Files re: VoLTE.....https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/volte