I'm pretty noob to this game but i read that they would add the public text chat for pc with the new patch ... i updated it and enter and .. still no public text chat ..
To be sure that it's "active" enter /l in the chat or the best way is to go to settings and active it there then it's always "on" when you're in local areas. I think the text chat is a bit buggy. Because some of my fireteam saw what I wrote and some didn't, then I couldn't see the response but those who didn't see what I was typing the first time saw the awnser ....