Public Mobile: A Complete Guide to Coverage and Plans

Public Mobile is a great option for those looking for affordable wireless plans in Canada. It offers coverage on the Rogers network, which is one of the most extensive in the country.

Public Mobile's coverage is available in most major cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. This means you can stay connected wherever you go, whether you're at home, at work, or on the go.

Their plans are also super flexible, with options for both prepaid and postpaid plans. You can choose from a range of data, talk, and text add-ons to create a plan that fits your needs and budget.

Public Mobile runs on Telus Mobility / Bell Mobility's shared 4GLTE & 5G network, which supports VoLTE calling. This means you get access to a robust and reliable network.

Public Mobile users can roam on Rogers Wireless 3G & 4GLTE network in select areas, provided Public Mobile has no service but Rogers Wireless does. This feature is especially useful when traveling.

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The Telus network, which Public Mobile uses, ranked second for download speeds in both the 4G and 3G network categories in Tutela's 2018 "Mobile Experience Report". The average download speed for 4G was 15.68Mbits/sec, while for 3G it was 5.30Mbits/sec.

Tethering is allowed on any device that supports the feature, providing flexibility and convenience for users.

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Public Mobile's network coverage is shared with Telus Mobility / Bell Mobility, which means you get the same coverage as Telus without the costs.

Public Mobile users can roam on Rogers Wireless 3G & 4GLTE network in select areas when Public Mobile has no service but Rogers Wireless does.

Telus' network ranked second for download speeds in both the 4G and 3G network categories in Tutela's 2018 "Mobile Experience Report", with an average download speed of 15.68Mbits/sec for 4G and 5.30Mbits/sec for 3G.

Upload speeds averaged 8.70Mbits/sec across both 4G and 3G networks.

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Tethering is allowed on any device that supports the feature.

Public Mobile's EV-DO speeds on its CDMA network could theoretically reach up to 3.1 Mbit/s for downloads and 1.8 Mbit/s for uploads, but real world speeds are typically lower, with a maximum of 2.47 Mbit/s for downloads and 1.1 Mbit/s for uploads.

Public Mobile does not support native Wi-Fi calling or offer a Wi-Fi calling app. This means you'll need to rely on your cellular network for voice calls, which can be a bit more expensive and less reliable than Wi-Fi calling.

Wi-Fi calling is a convenient feature that allows you to make voice calls over a Wi-Fi connection, but it's not available on Public Mobile.

You must bring your own device to use Public Mobile, which means VoLTE isn't a requirement.

Public Mobile offers a range of affordable plans with various data options.

Their cheapest plan starts at $15, which includes 250 MB of data at 3G speed, unlimited international text and picture messaging, and features like Voicemail and Call Display.

Public Mobile also offers plans with 4G and 5G data speeds, with the most basic 4G plan costing $29 for 4 GB of data.

You can add extra data to your plan for $10 (200 MB) or $30 (1 GB), which rolls over to the next month.

Here's a summary of their plans:

Telus Mobility launched its MVNO service in 2013, offering affordable plans to customers.

This move allowed customers to access Telus' network without the need for a traditional Telus contract.

The service was designed to provide flexibility and cost savings to customers.

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Public Mobile's lower rates come with some trade-offs. The cheaper plans throttle data usage speeds to 512 kbps after your data cap is reached.

This slowdown might be noticeable if you're used to faster speeds on 4G/5G networks. However, in my experience, this is still fine for most everyday applications.

You won't be able to enjoy WiFi calling or VoLTE features with Public Mobile. If you don't have a new phone, this might not be a big deal.

Public Mobile requires you to own your own device outright, which can be a good thing in many cases. Phone subsidies can be a marketing ploy, so bringing your own unlocked device can be a more cost-effective option.

If you encounter any technical issues, you won't be able to call for help. Instead, you'll need to rely on virtual chat, ticket submission, or online community forums for support.

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Public Mobile offers a range of unique features that set it apart from other service providers. One notable feature is its flat-rate bundles, available in 10-, 30- and 90-day increments, giving you flexibility in choosing how long your service is active.

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These bundles also include unlimited Canada-wide and US calling, making it easy to stay in touch with friends and family across the border. With Public Mobile, you can talk all you want without worrying about extra charges.

Another perk is the Public Mobile Rewards program, which allows you to earn discounts on your monthly bundle by enabling auto payment, helping out on the community forums, referring friends, or maintaining service for a year or more.

The network used by Public Mobile is also a major advantage, with a strong track record of performance. According to Tutela's 2018 “Mobile Experience Report”, Public Mobile uses the Telus Network, which ranked #2 in terms of mobile experience.

This network reliability is also reflected in PC Magazine’s 2016 “Fastest Mobile Networks in Canada” report, where Telus (and by extension, Public Mobile) was ranked #2 in terms of fastest mobile networks.

Public Mobile offers a range of affordable plans that include talk, text, and data. Their cheapest plan starts at just $15, giving you 250 MB of data at 3G speed, unlimited international text and picture messaging, and all the usual features like voicemail and call display.

You can also upgrade to a 1 GB plan for $20, which includes unlimited calling Canada-wide. If you need more data, Public Mobile offers a range of plans with 4G and 5G speeds, starting at $29 for 4 GB of data.

One thing to note is that the cheaper plans can have data usage speeds throttled to 512 kbps after your data cap is reached. However, this is usually fine for most applications, and you can always upgrade to a faster plan if you need it.

Public Mobile also offers a range of add-ons and bundles, including the option to add 200 MB of data for $10 or 1 GB of data for $30. These add-ons roll over to the next month, making them a great value if you need extra data.

Here's a breakdown of Public Mobile's plan options:

Public Mobile also offers a range of add-ons and bundles, including the option to add data to your plan. You can get 200 MB for $10 or 1 GB for $30, and these add-ons roll over to the next month.

Our website is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate. It's optimized for desktop and mobile devices, ensuring that you can access our plans and services on any device.

You can find detailed information about our plans and services on our website, including pricing and features. Our website is regularly updated to reflect changes in our services and promotions.

Our website offers a secure payment system, allowing you to sign up for our services with confidence. This is in addition to our 30-day money-back guarantee.

You can also contact us through our website, using the contact form or live chat feature. Our customer support team is available to answer any questions you may have.

Signing up with eSIM is a straightforward process that can be completed online or through the Public Mobile app.

You can purchase an eSIM for free, although normally it costs $5. This is a great option if you're not sure when you'll receive your physical SIM due to issues like the Canada Post strike.

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To check compatibility with your phone, you need to enter your IMEI number, and most phones released in the last four years should support eSIM.

After completing the compatibility check, you'll review your order and pay for the service.

The Public Mobile app handles most of the eSIM setup and number port process, making it easy to complete the switch.

The app will guide you through the process, including steps like getting your old account number and keeping your old SIM card in your phone to avoid disrupting the number port.

You'll need to enter your old account number and confirm the number port via a text message sent to you by your old provider.

Once the process is complete, you'll need to wait about five minutes with no service before your new Public Mobile service comes online.

Public Mobile's referral structure is a clever way to reward loyal customers. For every friend you refer, you get $1 off your monthly bill as long as they remain a user.

This might not seem like a lot, but it can add up over time. Refer just 5 people to Public Mobile, and you'll be saving $60 on your phone plan every year.

The referee also gets a nice perk - $10 credit on signup for using your referral code. This is a great way to share the benefits with your friends and family.

Public Mobile's customer service has a rating of 1.6 out of 5, indicating that consumers who contact the company are mostly dissatisfied.

The most common way to contact Public Mobile is by phone, which accounts for 85% of all contacts, followed by email at 15%. If you need to call, the best phone number to dial is 800-567-0000, but be prepared for a long wait, as the average hold time is over 30 minutes.

The longest wait times are typically on Mondays, while the shortest wait times are on Sundays. The average call time is 8 minutes, but it's not uncommon for customers to be on the phone for even longer. Unfortunately, only 26% of customers were able to speak with a real person when calling the customer service number.

Public Mobile's customer service has a rating of 1.6 out of 5, indicating that consumers who contact the company are mostly dissatisfied.

The most commonly used way to contact Public Mobile is by phone, with 85% of customers using this method and 15% using email.

The best phone number to call Public Mobile is 800-567-0000, but be prepared for a long wait, as 26% of customers managed to speak with a real person and the average hold time is over 30 minutes.

The longest wait times are on Monday, while the shortest are on Sunday, with an average call time of 8 minutes.

To identify yourself as a customer, be prepared to provide your first and last name, email, or phone number.

The most common reasons customers call Public Mobile are related to account, product/service, payments, and charges.

Only 8% of customers who called the company's customer support stated that their issues were resolved, and most customers feel very unsatisfied after talking to customer service representatives.

If you need to contact Public Mobile via email, the best email to use is [email protected], which 89% of customers use to address their issues and concerns.

Here's a breakdown of the contact methods used by Public Mobile customers:

This data suggests that Public Mobile's customer service needs improvement, particularly in terms of resolving customer issues and providing satisfactory service.

You can transfer your number from an existing landline or mobile line to Public Mobile. This process is guided by Wireless Number Portability rules.

Public Mobile requires the account from which you're transferring the number to be assigned to the same name and address as your Public Mobile account.

The account you're transferring from must be in good standing, including payment of any fees resulting from porting the number.

To start the process, use the Public Mobile Online Activation page.

Public Mobile offers a range of Android smartphones, including the UMX MAX, ZTE N762, ZTE Warp, Kyocera Rise, ZTE Fury, ZTE Warp Sequent, and SangFei Elevation. These devices were released between 2011 and 2013 and were powered by Android operating system versions 2.3 to 4.0.

Public Mobile has also sold newer Android smartphones compatible with Telus Mobility's HSPA+ network, such as the Moto G, Samsung Galaxy S III Mini, Samsung Galaxy Ace II X, and Huawei Ascend Y330.

Public Mobile sells certified pre-owned phones, which have been inspected, tested, wiped, and audited by Telus employees. These phones come with a 30-day return policy and a 1-year warranty, and can be serviced at Telus stores.

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Public Mobile has offered a range of Android devices over the years.

One of the earliest Android devices released by Public Mobile was the UMX MAX, which hit the market on November 23, 2011.

The UMX MAX was powered by the Android 2.3 "Gingerbread" operating system and had a 3.2" display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels.

Public Mobile also released the ZTE N762, which boasted a 1.0 GHz CPU and 256 MB of RAM.

The ZTE N762 was released on December 5, 2011, and was powered by the Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" operating system.

In contrast, the ZTE Warp had a more powerful 1.4 GHz CPU and 512 MB of RAM.

The ZTE Warp was released on August 15, 2012, and had a 4.3" display with a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels.

Here's a comparison of some of the Android devices released by Public Mobile:

The Kyocera Rise, released on October 16, 2012, had a 3.5" display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and 768 MB of RAM.

The ZTE Fury, released in August 2013, had a 4.3" display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and 4 GB of storage.

In the summer of 2014, Public Mobile shifted its focus to devices compatible with Telus Mobility's HSPA+ network, offering the Moto G, the Samsung Galaxy S III Mini, the Samsung Galaxy Ace II X, and the Huawei Ascend Y330.

If you're in the market for a used phone, consider buying a certified pre-owned phone from Public Mobile. They sell phones that have been inspected, tested, wiped, and audited by Telus employees.

These phones come with a 30-day return policy and a 1-year warranty, which can be serviced at Telus stores. You can also check the IMEI numbers to mitigate the risk of buying a stolen or counterfeit phone.

Public Mobile's prices aren't too bad either - for example, the Huawei P20 Pro is listed for $399, which is comparable to what you'd find on second-hand markets. Any phones sold through this service are unlocked, so you can use them not only on Public Mobile's network but with any other mobile service provider.

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When you're ready to switch to Public Mobile, you can transfer your number from another carrier.

You can transfer your number to Public Mobile online or by contacting their customer service.

The transfer process typically takes 2-5 business days, but it may take longer in some cases.

There is no fee to transfer your number to Public Mobile.

Long distance fees will depend on the talk tier you choose for your bundle. If you're calling outside your province often, consider a Canada-wide or Canada-wide and U.S. Bundle.

The price difference from add-ons is negligible, so it's worth considering one of these bundles if you make a lot of long distance calls. You won't have to worry about how many minutes you use.

Long Distance add-on offers 200 minutes for $8 and includes calls to the U.S. For $15, you can get 400 long distance minutes within Canada, the U.S. and a range of international destinations.

This means you can make a decent number of long distance calls without breaking the bank.

Public Mobile doesn't charge activation fees, so you can sign up without worrying about extra costs.

If you want to bring your own phone or tablet, you'll need a Public Mobile SIM, which can be purchased for $10 through their online store or major retailers.

Fees for SIM kits can differ between retail stores and websites, so be sure to check both prices before signing up or adding a line to your account to maximize savings.

No contract or device financing options means there are no worries about fees if you cancel your service.

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The transfer process can be smooth, but it's not always perfect. A five-minute period without service from the old provider can be nerve-wracking.

You might experience issues with logging in to the new provider's app, like the author did with Public, where they needed an SMS-based two-factor authentication code that couldn't be received during the porting process.

Rich Communication Services, or RCS, can also cause problems after switching providers. The author had issues with RCS for a few days after switching to Public, where the Messages app got stuck verifying their number.

Wiping the Messages app's data and cache can resolve RCS verification issues, as the author found out from a Public Mobile community forum thread.

Transferring eSIMs can be a hassle, and Public Mobile is no exception. They'll force you to buy a new eSIM through their app, which will cost $5.