Public Mobile international roaming: Costs, plans, and alternatives
Learn how Public Mobile international roaming works, including U.S. and Mexico plans, pricing, and how to activate roaming on your device.
If you’re planning to use your Public Mobile plan abroad, this guide will help you understand what international roaming options are available, how much they cost, how to activate them, and whether they suit your destination needs.
If you’re heading to places beyond the U.S. or Mexico, there’s also an alternative worth considering — Holafly offers unlimited-data eSIM service covering 200+ destinations.

What is Public Mobile international roaming?
Public Mobile offers two main ways to use your service outside Canada:
U.S. Roaming Add-Ons
Public Mobile offers roaming add-ons you can buy when travelling in the United States. There are two duration options: 15 days or 30 days. Public Mobile partners with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile for U.S. roaming, which includes coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
CAN/US and CAN/US/MEX Subscription Plans
If you frequently travel to the U.S. and Mexico, Public Mobile offers select plans where coverage be extended to the U.S. and Mexico with the same data bucket, speeds, and features, no separate roaming add-on needed.
CAN/US plans: Use your plan in Canada and the U.S. with the same data allowance.
CAN/US/MEX plans: Use your plan in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico with the same data allowance without any restrictions.
If you’re travelling outside Canada, the U.S., or Mexico, Public Mobile currently doesn’t offer a dedicated roaming add-on for other countries. Public Mobile international roaming coverage is limited to the U.S. and Mexico.
Public Mobile international roaming price
Below is a clear breakdown of the available roaming and subscription options for travel to the United States and/or Mexico:
Plan type | Coverage | Plan duration | Data allowance | Price (CAD) |
---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Roaming Add-On | U.S. 50 states*, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands | 15 days | 5GB | $30 |
U.S. Roaming Add-On | U.S. 50 states*, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands | 30 days | 5GB | $40 |
CAN/US Subscription Plan | Canada, U.S. 50 states*, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands | 30 days | 30GB | $40 |
CAN/US/MEX Subscription Plan | Canada, U.S. 50 states*, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Mexico** | 30 days | 60GB | $45 |
CAN/US/MEX Subscription Plan | Canada, U.S. 50 states*, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Mexico** | 30 days | 80GB | $50 |
CAN/US/MEX Subscription Plan | Canada, U.S. 50 states*, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Mexico** | 30 days | 100GB | $60 |
*Roaming services in Alaska require a VoLTE-capable device for voice calling features to function.
**In Mexico, Public Mobile shares the same roaming partners as TELUS. Your connection will depend on your location and available networks.
How to activate international roaming with Public Mobile
Before you travel, make sure you’ve purchased the right roaming add-on or have an eligible subscription plan. Once that’s completed, you’ll need to enable data roaming on your phone to start using your service abroad.
Enable data roaming
Here’s how you can enable data roaming, depending on the device you have:
On iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data).
- Turn on Data Roaming
On Android
- Go to Settings > Wireless & Networks > More > Mobile Networks.
- Check Data Roaming.
Note: On some Android devices, this setting appears under Battery & Data Manager > Data Delivery. On others, it may be called Global Data Roaming Access, select it then choose Enable Data Roaming Access.
Manually select a roaming network
If you have trouble connecting while roaming, try manually selecting a network.
For Android
- Open Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Operators.
- Turn off Automatic Network Selection, then choose Manual.
- Wait for your phone to search and display available networks.
- Select your preferred roaming network (such as AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile in the U.S.).
For iPhone
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Network Selection.
- Turn off Automatic to see available networks.
- Choose the network you want from the list.
Tip: After selecting a network, return to your home screen. If you are still experiencing issues, try restarting your device or contact Public Mobile Customer Support for assistance.
Get 5G data wherever you go with Holafly
Public Mobile’s roaming add-ons are convenient for travelers who frequently visit the U.S. and Mexico. However, if you plan to explore destinations beyond North America, consider Holafly, a travel eSIM provider offering global coverage and unlimited data.
Holafly’s eSIMs work in over 200 destinations worldwide, making it a flexible option for travelers who want to stay connected without switching SIM cards. You can choose from single-destination eSIMs, regional eSIMs, or a global eSIM that supports multiple destinations on a single plan. Each plan includes unlimited data and 24/7 customer support, allowing travelers to stay connected confidently wherever they go.
For frequent travelers, Holafly Plans provide a convenient monthly subscription with global coverage and unlimited data, ideal for digital nomads, frequent world travelers, or anyone needing a consistent connection across multiple countries.
Download the Holafly app, purchase and install your eSIM before departure, and activate it upon arrival to start using data immediately. With no roaming charges or SIM swaps required, Holafly offers a seamless way to stay connected during international travel.
Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of October 21, 2025, and is subject to change.