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Telus to Start Charging; Bell Already Charging for Incoming Text Messages

There has recently been a very large controversy in the Canadian cell phone market, as Bell Mobility (BCE), and TELUS Mobility (T) have announced that they will be charging clients not on a text messaging plan, $0.15/message for all incoming text messages. Bell Mobility started charging on Friday, August 8, 2008. TELUS Mobility will begin charging for incoming text messages on August 24, 2008.

Stop the text messaging cash grab

Cell phone carriers in United States have been charging for incoming text messages for quite some time. This does not justify Canadian carriers charging, as voice rate plans in the United States are much lower than in Canada. A voice plan in Canada that includes 250 anytime minutes can cost upwards to $30/mo, plus system access fees and applicable taxes. For $30/mo. plus applicable taxes in the United States, you can get a plan with 600 anytime minutes. Most cell plans in the United States also include unlimited long distance within the US. Long distance in Canada is $0.35/min. on average.

This situation in Europe is quite different. Generally, all incoming calls and text messages are free. Only the user placing the calls, and sending the text messages, is charged. However, even landlines calling cell phones are charged.

There has been a lot of outrage from both consumers and government officials over this announcement. As a result, many class-action lawsuits have been launched. Canada’s Industry Minister called for an explanation, stating “I believe this was a poorly thought out decision.”

The Facebook group I’m against the text message cash-grab currently has over 36,000 members. Canada’s NDP party is strongly against this decision. All resources and information about these text messages charges are available through the Facebook group.

If you are affected by this decision, write to your elected officials. Cell phone companies taking advantage of the Canadian consumer must stop.

- Dave

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at 6:52 pm and is filed under cash grabs, cell phones, class-action lawsuits. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Telus to Start Charging; Bell Already Charging for Incoming Text Messages”

  • 1
    Gary
    August 11th, 2008 03:10

    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.

  • 2
    Lewis
    August 11th, 2008 23:47

    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.

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