Comments on: Telus to Start Charging; Bell Already Charging for Incoming Text Messages http://booerns.com/telus-to-start-charging-bell-already-charging-for-incoming-text-messages/ Consumer advocacy with less hand-wringing. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:04:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Lewis http://booerns.com/telus-to-start-charging-bell-already-charging-for-incoming-text-messages/#comment-17 Lewis Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:47:39 +0000 http://booerns.com/?p=25#comment-17 But no one is forcing anyone to own and use a mobile. And seriously, how large is the demographic which uses SMS often/frequently and does not already subscribe to an unlimited SMS plan? Telus and Bell both offer unlimited messaging options for ~ $10 / month (last time I checked). So really, what's the big deal? It's not a "cash grab". It's business. Regardless of the reasons / excuses provided by the service providers, they have the power to decide what to charge for which service. If a customer with one of these carriers wishes to not pay for incoming SMS, then get a phone without SMS, or simply have the service blocked on your mobile device. If you're not paying for a plan already, you likely don't use it enough to need it at all. But no one is forcing anyone to own and use a mobile.

And seriously, how large is the demographic which uses SMS often/frequently and does not already subscribe to an unlimited SMS plan? Telus and Bell both offer unlimited messaging options for ~ $10 / month (last time I checked).

So really, what’s the big deal? It’s not a “cash grab”. It’s business. Regardless of the reasons / excuses provided by the service providers, they have the power to decide what to charge for which service.

If a customer with one of these carriers wishes to not pay for incoming SMS, then get a phone without SMS, or simply have the service blocked on your mobile device. If you’re not paying for a plan already, you likely don’t use it enough to need it at all.

]]> By: Gary http://booerns.com/telus-to-start-charging-bell-already-charging-for-incoming-text-messages/#comment-16 Gary Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:10:56 +0000 http://booerns.com/?p=25#comment-16 What really irks me about these text charges is that there is no alternative. If you are contracted to a carrier, you are stuck with this new charge. On the long distance side, I've stopped using Telus's long distance altogether. I use Alligato long distance (http://alligatomobile.com). Very reasonable rates. I hate getting ripped off by Telus. What really irks me about these text charges is that there is no alternative. If you are contracted to a carrier, you are stuck with this new charge.

On the long distance side, I’ve stopped using Telus’s long distance altogether. I use Alligato long distance (http://alligatomobile.com). Very reasonable rates. I hate getting ripped off by Telus.

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