Telus and Bell to charge 15¢ per INCOMING Text [SPLIT] - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Boblobla · 07-09-2008, 10:45 AM

Well, only the first quote is applicable and for some reason I only read the part about him getting a new bundle, not the being exempt...

OilKiller · 07-09-2008, 10:48 AM

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I got my Bell bill in yesterday and it stated the same thing about .15 per incoming text message.

I called Bell and asked them about this .15 per incoming text message. They told me it only applies to those that don't have text messaging as part of their plan. I have 200 free text messages with my plan. The CSR yesterday told me because text messaging was in my plan, I would not ever pay for incoming text messages.

FireFly · 07-09-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I got my Bell bill in yesterday and it stated the same thing about .15 per incoming text message.

I called Bell and asked them about this .15 per incoming text message. They told me it only applies to those that don't have text messaging as part of their plan. I have 200 free text messages with my plan. The CSR yesterday told me because text messaging was in my plan, I would not ever pay for incoming text messages.

Ha! I'd call back again. You'll probably get a different answer. I would assume your first 200 messages would be free... but that would be both incoming and outgoing. After that you'd probably pay for both ways.

J pold · 07-09-2008, 11:38 AM

Does anyone know what it costs to by out a contract?

I assume it’s just what you pay per month for the remaining months on the contract…

And if so are you able to just reduce your contract to around 10 dollars a month and than buy it out?

OilKiller · 07-09-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

Ha! I'd call back again. You'll probably get a different answer. I would assume your first 200 messages would be free... but that would be both incoming and outgoing. After that you'd probably pay for both ways.

Not what I was told. I was told as long as I have a plan that includes text messaging, incoming messages would not be charged.

It states right on the bill:

Quote:

"unless you subscribe to a text messaging rate plan or bundle."

Quote:

Originally Posted by J pold

Does anyone know what it costs to by out a contract?

It is a certain amount for the length of the contract. Not sure about the exact amount. I know at one time I had 3 years left and they wanted just over $200. You might want to call and see for sure.

snowdude · 07-09-2008, 11:58 AM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...echnology/home

Quote:

Industry Minister Jim Prentice is taking Bell Mobility and Telus Mobility to task for their plans to charge their wireless customers for each incoming text message to the cellphones unless they subscribe to a product bundle.

OilKiller · 07-09-2008, 01:08 PM

Just to add to my note above:

Quote:

Wireless users who subscribe to a text message bundle as part of their calling plan will not be affected by the change.

http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/i...issue=07092008

NSFL · 07-09-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J pold

Does anyone know what it costs to by out a contract?

I assume it’s just what you pay per month for the remaining months on the contract…

And if so are you able to just reduce your contract to around 10 dollars a month and than buy it out?

From the article.

Quote:

But Bell and Telus both charge penalties if customers break their contracts, at $20 for every month remaining on a broken contract up to $400.

calgaryred · 07-09-2008, 05:30 PM

Why be so mad that texting is going to be charge for incoming? If you don't text you don't have to don't worry, if you do and don't have a texting feature your paying unnecessarily for not having a text package money to and by getting one it will end up saving you money.

Its not like prices don't go up around the world for services overage charges and texting isn't free in the states and they pay more than we do.

llama64 · 07-09-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgaryred

Why be so mad that texting is going to be charge for incoming? If you don't text you don't have to don't worry, if you do and don't have a texting feature your paying unnecessarily for not having a text package money to and by getting one it will end up saving you money.

Its not like prices don't go up around the world for services overage charges and texting isn't free in the states and they pay more than we do.

So I've got a choice of either: a) disable all texting on my phone entirely, or b) buying a texting plan when I don't neccessarily want one?

Is it even possible to block all texts to my phone? Certainly not something they are going to advertise...

In any case, you're completely missing the point. If they need to recoup expenses incurred by text message traffic on their network, the cost should be borne by the sender. That is the typical case in just about any related example. There is no logical reason that I have heard for an telecom to charge for services given that the customer has no control over.

Kerplunk · 07-09-2008, 11:28 PM

What do they mean "to charge"? I've already had one charge taken off my bill for a text message from last month. Bloody leeches.

I don't text, but someone in my family might text me in the case of emergencies. Why should I be on the hook for incoming spam.

HOOT · 07-10-2008, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

What do they mean "to charge"? I've already had one charge taken off my bill for a text message from last month. Bloody leeches.

I don't text, but someone in my family might text me in the case of emergencies. Why should I be on the hook for incoming spam.

So an emergency is spam? I think that would seem worth the 15 cents as would the 30 cent/min phone call, no?

If you are reffering to texts you receive with a 5 digit code, then you will not be charged the 15 cents for the incoming text, you may be charged if you signed up for a service.

Quote:

Is it even possible to block all texts to my phone? Certainly not something they are going to advertise...

I talked to a few people at Telus and they are working with Bell to sort this out before the Aug 8th launch. However some phones to allow you to block certain services, I have all my services turned off in my lil brothers prepaid phone.

Also I have heard that they are trying to do as Verizon did with just blocking certain numbers, so no "e-bullying" can happen. I heard it is as easy as getting the text, replying back with STOP as the text body and any further text msgs will not come through. Rogers is waiting for this to be done before implimenting.

Shawnski · 07-10-2008, 01:18 AM

...

fredr123 · 07-10-2008, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnski

Hmmm, guess you have missed the last TWENTY FREAKIN YEARS where you are charged for incoming calls. Where do you see the difference?

I've read through your comments on the telco industry in other threads with great interest and in no way do I purport to have knowledge in this area that even approaches your level.

While many plans will result in both the originator and the receiver of a call being charged for the call, only the originator will pay long distance charges if the call is in fact a long distance call. Why is that? Is there some logic behind this that makes sense with what you and others have been arguing above regarding outgoing and incoming text message charges?

llama64 · 07-10-2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnski

Hmmm, guess you have missed the last TWENTY FREAKIN YEARS where you are charged for incoming calls. Where do you see the difference?

There is a difference between a synchronous voice connection and an asynchronous tiny data transmission.

I have a choice to answer the call. I don't have a choice with a text message.

The comparison makes no sense.

HOOT · 07-10-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llama64

There is a difference between a synchronous voice connection and an asynchronous tiny data transmission.

I have a choice to answer the call. I don't have a choice with a text message.

The comparison makes no sense.

You will soon.

CaptainCrunch · 07-10-2008, 09:03 AM

Wow, I bet across Canada millions of parents with teenage children just grasp their chests and fell to the floor.

Shawnski · 07-10-2008, 09:09 AM

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Log · 07-10-2008, 09:16 AM

If they are going to charge for incoming texts, for someone that doesn't send text messages, they should be given the option of blocking all incoming texts. Its probably not even possible, but its not fair that someone pays for a text that they have no control of.

If I had an unlimited text plan, I could sit down on day and fire off hundreds of texts to one person who doesn't have a plan and they'd be on the hook for the charges.

fredr123 · 07-10-2008, 09:27 AM

Thanks for the info Shawnski.

Aside from maximizing ARPU, what is the reasoning behind charging a cellular customer fees for using their phone outside the home area? It always kills me when we're visiting our inlaws and my wife will use her cell to call her brother who will be all of two blocks away and both are charged up the wazoo for the call because both phones are out of their home calling area. Are calls of that nature complex, routing through numerous switches and towers and ultimately costing the telco that much more to provide?