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Author Why do text messages cost so much?
masseur
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Posted: 2007-03-28 08:04
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I have often wondered about that question and I just came across an article at "Why Are Text Messages Marked Up 7314%?" which also asks that question

actually, I don't text that much because I think its a total rip off. You can get bundles of texts included in your monthly package but operator still continue to charge exhorbatant amounts for this service

I do wonder why more people don't do as I do, and send and receive emails from the phone where you are not restricted to 160 characters (or less) per message.

I think that article does forget there is a litle extra data overhead when sending and receiving emails when connecting to the servers before transmitting and receiving but the point is still valid.

am I the only one who prefers emails to texts?

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[ This Message was edited by: masseur on 2007-03-28 07:31 ]
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Vivaz Black
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Posted: 2007-03-28 08:24
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you may want to fix your spelling mistake mass your title

back on topic though, i send sms more. never can be bothered setting up the email account

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[ This Message was edited by: jedi-master on 2007-03-28 07:26 ]
QVGA
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Posted: 2007-03-28 10:25
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Well for one, my hotmail account cannot be set on a Nokia atleast. I've tried tried and tried!
BobaFett
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Posted: 2007-03-28 10:29
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i love texting, got 450 for free via wap access at my operator since ages. so if i wanna save money, i just text the one and most of them call me back anyway, cos they wanna hear the whole story

but masseur is right on some way, in most cases 1 min call is cheaper then the sms itslef and 1 minute is a really long time, to tell the most important tnhings, at least more, than 160 characters
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goldenface
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Posted: 2007-03-28 10:43
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I am completely with masseur on this one. I can't understand this whole mms/sms business, they are expensive and restrictive. PAYG texting is extortionate!

I prefer email definitely but half the problem is getting your best mates to set up a special mobile email account on their handsets.

When thats done there is really no limit to the amount of stuff you can send between devices; full music tracks, long videos (bigger than the 100kb MMS limit here in the UK), higher definition photos, or all these at the same time!

Superb if you have an unlimited data account
voda_jon
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Posted: 2007-03-28 10:49
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@goldenface...

I agree some what with the comments above but things r gettin better... I mean Vodafone UK have plans this month which offer UNLIMITED TXTS and UNLIMITED Calls every month...

Plus Voda UK MMS messages can be upto 300k in size... has been like that since last year
masseur
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Posted: 2007-03-28 10:50
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I use my normal email account that I have had for 12 years.

I haven't set up anything special to use on the phone

yeah, its even better on unlimited data accounts
goldenface
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Posted: 2007-03-28 10:57
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@voda_jon

I understand but some networks charge for MMS by-the-page.

So if I wanted to send say a picture + short mp3 that can be as much as £0.80.

How long is a 300kb video message? 15 seconds?

I have unlimited data for £7.50/month with t-mobile. As many pictures, videos, emails, mp3s, documents etc, till the battery runs out

It just makes more sense.

masseur
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Posted: 2007-03-28 11:06
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just out of interest, how much are these unlimited text plans?
SE4NICK
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Posted: 2007-03-28 11:09
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Emails cost me more than sms on my current "deal" only because of internet charges, if it wasnt for those dam charges i would be doing as u masseur

[ This Message was edited by: SE4NICK on 2007-03-28 10:09 ]
voda_jon
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Posted: 2007-03-28 11:57
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@masseur...

As far as i know its £40 a month and that includes voda family so u get unlimited free calls to 4 nominated voda numbers as well!

AND, they r giving ANY phone for free on price plans above £35 so u can pick ANY phone u want for nothin on that plan!
antichrist
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Posted: 2007-03-28 14:22
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i would love to use email on my phone but i can't set it up
goldenface
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Posted: 2007-03-28 14:24
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On 2007-03-28 14:22:56, antichrist wrote:
i would love to use email on my phone but i can't set it up



Have you not tried the email configurator on the SE support site?
Seanyb2
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Posted: 2007-03-28 14:55
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Its wrong that they even cost 10p as texts take up little capacity on the networks. Also i think they should be about 3p or so as with Virgin though thats to the same network. I text alot though mine are free every month from Orange pre pay. Dont think the networks will ever bring down the price of texts though.

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masseur
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Posted: 2007-03-28 14:58
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email settings for the phone use exactly the same settings as email on your pc, assuming your using a pop3/smtp or imap service

the only difference is that your smtp server will probably have to be set to the server supplied by your mobile service provider

its dead easy to setup and takes a couple of minutes max
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