Public Mobile is now a part of TELUS and that means they must transition their subscribers from their old CDMA network to the TELUS HSPA network, the “Canada-wide 4G network” – this means the customers will need to change both their smartphone devices and choose a new plan. Public says that existing customers will get special pricing below MSRP on the above three devices – the Alcatel A322A (CA$100), the Samsung Galaxy Ace II x (CA$200), or the new Moto G (CA $250) – surprisingly the most expensive price in Canada. This is the initial listing of devices – one clamshell, one entry-level smartphone, and their ‘higher end’ smartphone.
This will all take place in May and existing customers will need to:
First – Update their contact information online, Next – You will need a new phone, Then – Choose a new plan, Lastly – Decide how you would like to pay.
Your phone number will stay the same and any credits or wallet balances will transfer over to your new account. This is what Public Mobile has to say about why they did this:
“Here’s why. We’re moving to Canada’s largest 4G Network, the benefits of which include national coverage, faster wireless data speeds, access to the latest technology and better name-brand phones. All our phones will be SIM-based, offering affordability and flexibility.”
To coincide with the switchover, Public Mobile is revamping it plans as well, although the CA$19 plan remains unchanged. Following in the footsteps of the other Canadian carriers, most plans are going up CA$5 per month…and in keeping with the other carriers, along with the price increase, the unlimited data is gone and replaced in their CA$40 and CA$45 plans with just 1GB of data. The new plans also include a “coming soon” CA$60 plan that will give you up to 2GB of data.
Public Mobile is also changing how you can make your monthly payment to them and according to our sources, the customers will no longer be able to make cash payments in the stores. You may purchase payment vouchers with cash, credit or debit cards, pay online with a credit card, or pay through the IVR (1 855 4PUBLIC) using a credit card. They also said that Public Mobile will not be selling data plans to new customers – for now they can purchase the CA$19 or CA$25 plans and soon after they can get the other higher priced data plans. Also please take note that TELUS is only required to carry the CA$19 plan until the end of 2014 as part of the Public Mobile acquisition, so I would not be surprised to see if disappear at that time.