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C'mon folks, does it really take an in-depth research study to figure this one out? On the whole, per-use SMS rates have doubled from $0.10 to $0.20 in the span of three years, and carriers have shown no shame in pushing messaging packs (the "unlimited" one in particular) in an effort to snag more revenue per user. We already knew that Senator Herb Kohl was looking into the matter, and a new piece in The New York Times clearly explains just how lucrative these bite-sized messages are for carriers. We're told that most consumers simply assume that it's costing operators more each year as the volume of texts sent increases; according to University of Waterloo professor Srinivasan Keshav, "it doesn't cost the carrier much more to transmit a hundred million messages than a million." You see, SMS messages are elusively hidden within the so-called "control channel," which is space already reserved for the operation of the wireless network. So long as messages are kept concise (say, 160 characters or less), they can be sent without any real implication on the channel. Will this epiphany somehow change the way we're being gouged? Tough to say, but don't think for a second that carriers won't figure out another way to nickle-and-dime you if the hand is forced.[Thanks, Jeevan]
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Comments
77
Subscribe to commentsBruceDec 29th 2008 11:08AM
LMAO, not with Sprint "Everything" plan they don't. One price $99.99 covers everything, minutes, texting, pic's, internet, GPS, TV, whatever! PS: I use the crap out of it, never below 10000 minutes a moth anymore.
dslyohio44439Dec 29th 2008 4:26PM
Personally I think you're full of it. In order to even reach 10,000 minutes of cell phone usage a month, you have to spend almost 6 hours on your phone a day every day with no days off. And don't tell me that you use more than one line, since that rate applies per line.
Nice try though.
BruceDec 30th 2008 10:56AM
Ya know, ya just don't know do ya? I drive an interstate truck, I'm on the phone most of the night. Driving 10 hours every night, you do the math. I have over 200 contacts in phone book. What the heck do think keeps me awake at night? Coffee? Just make ya PPPPP. PS: It is just one line w/call wait, and a blue eagle bt900 wireless headset w/15 hours of talk time.
DevDec 29th 2008 4:04PM
PLEASE SPAM SOME OTHER SITE WITH YOUR AT&T PROPAGANDA. WERE NOT BUYIN IT.
CHRIS WINNINGHAMDec 29th 2008 3:14PM
I JUST GOT MY BILL & I DON'T SUBSCRIBE TO TEXT MESSAGING/ I HAVE A BLOCK. I NOTICED A .3 CENT CHARGE WHERE SOMEONE TRIED TO TEXT ME SO THEY CHARGED ME!! I HAVE SENT THEM A EMAIL QUESTIONING THIS. WE WILL SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY , I KNOW 3 CENTS IS NOT MUCH BUT IT IS THE PRINCIPAL OF THE THING I'M SO FED UP WITH BEING RIPPED OFF I CAN'T STAND IT!!!
RudyDec 29th 2008 3:46PM
I'm fed up too. After having seen text charges go from $.05 per text, to $.20, I blocked text usage on my phone.
I questioned them as to why they would even need to charge for a service that should be free with the phone usage. I rarely use text, but when you get 15 - 20 incomming texts a month, it's absurd to have to pay anything extra to the cell phone company. I'm pretty upset that that will now be one less way to be reached. There should be a universal cost per month for cell phone services, including unlimited text (and everything). With the cost of living exceeding our means, cell phone should be no more than $50.00 per month!
wendyJan 4th 2009 8:15AM
if anyone would take the time to tell me HOW to block texts i would SO appreciate it!!!!!! :D
DrowsyramJan 4th 2009 2:30PM
"With the cost of living exceeding our means, cell phone should be no more than $50.00 per month! "
AMEN Rudy!!!!
EyesOnTheRoadDec 29th 2008 4:55PM
I'm pretty upset that that will now be one less way to be reached.
Wow! Is it really that important that you need more than one way to be reached? Hope you don't live in California, as of Jan 1, they will have a law against using a cell phone while driving. The only way will be a hands free unit. So if someone behind the wheel is even holding a cell phone it's an automatic ticket. Oh my! What are all those people going to do now? LOL, IMO it's a good law and should be in all states. Less distraction, fewer accidents.
Mike ADec 29th 2008 5:56PM
CA has had the hands free law in effect for awhile now. What goes into effect Jan. 1 is that you can't text on a mobile phone while driving. A major loophole in the previous law. It really doesn't matter. I live in the Bay Area and idiots still text and use cell phones all the time while driving.
TerryJan 4th 2009 12:55PM
I think it's A GREAT LAW!!!! It should b shut off while driving driving.......I see sooooooo many cops using the cell while driving too......and I live in Mass
imperialdragon27Dec 29th 2008 5:10PM
For anyone who already have internet on thier pc & dont use thier phone too often, net10 is the best deal out there. its prepaid but 10 cents a minute all day & night everyday & a nickel a text. im not spamming either, im a plumber & not a rep, this is my real advise to non cell phone addicts. I hate cell phone companies, they are all crooks!
mikeDec 29th 2008 5:37PM
If yoiur worried about being ripped off check what interest rate you are paying on your credit card. Be sitting down when you check. you will find for many of us it is 31 per cent. YES, 31 percent..............hope that puts this 3 cent texting charge into context.
DeaconDec 29th 2008 6:20PM
If you are paying 31%.....it is because of something you have done to your credit. My highest card is 12.9%, and my lowest is 2.99%.
ChesterJan 5th 2009 2:31AM
you should probably read the fine print on your statement because I'll almost bet you that they're soaking you for more than 12.9%
deaconJan 4th 2009 6:21PM
Actually, after reading my most recent statement....it's only 10.99%, not the 12.99% that I had previously stated. Sorry, my bad.....
ChuckDec 29th 2008 6:49PM
I don't even look at the interest rate on my credit cards. When you pay the balance in full every month, doesn't matter what the rate is.
FirehawkDec 29th 2008 8:13PM
Good for you! Not everyone does this however, and if the payment is even a second late, most cards jack up the interest BAM! Do it again and BAM! next thing you know, the interest rate is 18.9, 21.9 24.9 , 28.9... you get the idea. Heaven forbid going over the limit! This info comes from hard earned experience during tough times and having to live on credit cards. The best thing anyone can do is either live without credit cards or use them wisely, and only use what you can afford to pay off at the end of the month. In a pinch , maybe 2. It really isn't worht the agony of dealing with credit card companies any more.
stephaniJan 2nd 2009 7:23AM
About firehawks comment, soooo, right MNBC is the worst bank/credit card in the world. If you have one shred it throw it down the disposal. They are the preditory lenders of the credit card world, the ones who started putting the stop watch on the payments, and no ceiling on interest, while coming up with all these schemes to raise rates, THEY WROTE the new bankruptcy law that George Dumya was so hot to pass & did, It essentially allows no bankruptcy and endless interest rates. They also contributed 2.5 million or some such number to George Dumya's campaigns. Lets not forget they spend millions marketing the debt as well, pushing people to take the money. Even if you never miss a payment, you should still dispose of that card get a new one/s in case you need longer terms so you don't go from 2% or 0% to 35% because they did not send the bill so you could pay or some such shit.
ShauncieJan 4th 2009 2:43PM
I concur. If you use your credit card(s) responsibly, you don't have to worry about interest rates at all.