Reliable cellular service is critical for how we travel and live on the road. Between navigation, reservations, banking, staying in touch with family, and running our online work, our phones are not optional — they are infrastructure.
About a year ago, we made a significant change: we switched our cellular service from Rogers to Public Mobile. After twelve months of real-world use across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, here’s an honest breakdown of why we switched, what we’ve saved, and what you should know — good and bad — if you’re considering Public Mobile.
What We Were Using Before: Rogers
Prior to switching, we were on a Rogers Canada/US/Mexico plan that included:
- Unlimited calling and texting
- Coverage in Canada, the United States, and Mexico
- 90GB of shared data between two phones
The Cost
- Approximately $90 per phone
- $180 per month total for two phones
While coverage was generally solid, the cost was high — especially considering how closely we monitor data usage and how often we’re moving.
Why We Started Looking for an Alternative
As full-time travelers, we’re always evaluating recurring expenses. Cellular service is one of the largest monthly costs for anyone living on the road.
We wanted:
- Canada / US / Mexico coverage
- Predictable monthly pricing
- Enough data for daily use without constantly worrying about overages
- A plan that made sense financially
That search led us to Public Mobile.
Our Current Setup: Public Mobile
We switched both phones to Public Mobile and selected identical plans for each device.
What We Get Now (Per Phone)
- Unlimited calling
- Unlimited texting
- Canada / United States / Mexico coverage
- 60GB of data per phone
The Cost
- $39 per phone per month
- $78 per month total for two phones
No contracts. No surprises.
The Savings: What Switching Really Changed
This is where the decision really justified itself.
Monthly Comparison (Two Phones)
- Rogers: ~$180 / month
- Public Mobile: $78 / month
Monthly Savings
- $102 saved every month
Yearly Savings
- $1,224 saved per year
That’s real money — enough to cover fuel, campground stays, maintenance, or travel experiences instead of disappearing into a phone bill.
Coverage & Performance After One Year
This is the most important question: does it actually work?
After a year of use:
The Good
- Coverage has been solid in Canada and the United States
- Mexico coverage has worked reliably for calling, texting, and data
- Call quality has been clear
- Data speeds have been perfectly usable for everyday tasks
- No unexpected roaming charges
For normal phone use, navigation, messaging, email, and general browsing, we haven’t felt handicapped by the switch.
The Trade-Offs (What You Should Know)
Public Mobile isn’t perfect — and it’s important to understand what you’re giving up.
Potential Downsides
- No in-store support (online/self-serve model)
- Limited customer service options compared to major carriers
- Data speeds may not match premium-tier plans in congested areas
- No phone financing — bring your own device
For us, these trade-offs were acceptable. And the yearly savings will cover the expense of a phone upgrade. We value cost control and coverage more than premium add-ons or in-person support.
Why Public Mobile Works Well for RVers
For travelers and RVers, Public Mobile makes a lot of sense:
- Predictable monthly cost
- International coverage without complicated roaming plans
- Enough data per phone to avoid constant monitoring
- Easy budgeting for long-term travel
We pair this service with other connectivity solutions depending on where we’re parked, but as a primary phone service, it’s been reliable.
Final Thoughts: Would We Switch Again?
Yes — without hesitation.
After a year on Public Mobile, the service has proven reliable enough for our needs, and the cost savings alone make it worth it. We don’t feel like we downgraded — we feel like we stopped overpaying.
If you’re currently on a high-cost Canada/US/Mexico plan and don’t need premium extras, Public Mobile is absolutely worth considering.
As always, this isn’t sponsored — just a real-world review based on how we travel and live on the road.
Day 3040
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