AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates - Gizmodo Comments

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

flstf98 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:37:29 EDT

Ok so I've been going round and round with AT&T customer service, according to the brochure I received with my iphone it clearly states unlimited calling and texting to at&t wireless customers, I also checked their terms and conditions page on their website which clearly states that AT&T mobile to mobile texting is unlimited if your a subscriber to one of their messaging plans yet I still keep getting charged $.05 a message for going over my 200 messages allowance, I'm only bitching because I only message other AT&T wireless customers, am I misreading something here?

flstf98

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

dink23 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:21:30 EDT

@lonewolf333: Heck if you don't have friends, why bother with any form of communication? Save your money to build that wall around your life.

dink23

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

dink23 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:20:05 EDT

@MMcNasby: oh so your the reason AT&T instituted the 5GB "soft cap" further violating the T&C's by tethering on a plan that prohibits tethering. Will we see you posting on the Consumerist when AT&T decides to bill you for said 12GB per month?

dink23

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

lonewolf333 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:19:25 EDT

You guys should just get a prepaid cell. It's great if you don't have friends.

lonewolf333

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

ShyamalaManius — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:35:55 EDT

@jhuang: Comment on AT doesn't work that way. They just finished they're term, and just going month to month, if you cancel you cancel, meaning no service, plus this won't let you get out of your contract without a etf cause if only effects non-subscribers (i.e. every iphone user) -- Bring me Peter Pan!

ShyamalaManius

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

cac67 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:05:28 EDT

@JasonR: I don't understand why phone companies charge for text messages at all.

Because phone companies are in business to make money. And since they're not non-profit corporations, they are in business to make as much money as possible. And they have found out that people are addicted to text messaging and they'll continue to raise the prices until they find the point where returns diminish.

cac67

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

karmaghost — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:54:37 EDT

@tme2nsb: Thanks for being so helpful. I was under the impression that price hikes were grounds for using the "financially adverse," or whatever it's called, argument. I'm not sure about your reasoning, but as no one else has said anything, I won't bother pursuing it further.

karmaghost

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Travisism — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:32:33 EDT

Just a note, it starts April 1st not march 30th. At least that's what the most recent memo said.

Travisism

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

MMcNasby — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:14:27 EDT

@James: I make it a point to transfer as much data as technologically possible from M-F. I'm usually at my girlfriend's place down at school and our damn university prohibits bittorrenting. Therefore, I tether my Treo 750 to my Macbook, fire up Transmission and download movies and TV shows to watch after class. I'd say that I download a solid 3GB each week. All that on my $20/mo MediaNet plan. I guess that makes me an AT&T's "devil customer." Suhweet!

MMcNasby

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

JasonR — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:57:17 EDT

I don't understand why phone companies charge for text messages at all. Text messaging takes up so much less bandwidth than an actual call. Every phone company should be allowing free unlimited text messaging to reduce strain on their networks. Paying for text messaging is a rip off. That would be like your ISP charging you for every email that you send.

JasonR

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

tme2nsb — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:49:33 EDT

@karmaghost: What makes you think you can get out of contract early? If you do, you will be canceled and will owe a $175 ETF. This price change, as it is only a change for a non-subscription charge, does not allow you to get out of the contract without a penalty. Rule of thumb with cell phone providers: You sign a contract, you must fulfill that contract unless you want to be charged for breaking it.

tme2nsb

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

nosotros213 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:34:35 EDT

not sure if many iPhone users know this, but we can send/receive pics using email. Just have someone send an MMS to xxxxxxxxxx@att.net (x is your phone number) and you can receive pics from other cell phones. You can send the same way. Every carrier has it's own mms server name so just google it. Best part is that it is free on our end because you're just using email. I've been doing this for months! Let's just keep it quiet tho so at&t or apple doesn't revoke it.

nosotros213

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

jhuang — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:29:20 EDT

@SBM_from_LA: those were the days. People could text me all they wanted and I didn't have to text back. And of course now that texting has blown up I have texting blocked on my plan so I don't incur 20cent per text fees from those idiots who think everyone has unlimited texting plans.

jhuang

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

karmaghost — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:23:54 EDT

If this is enough to get you out of a contract, my question is this:
Can you get out of a contract but continue to use them as a provider? For instance, my fiance's family's plan just ran out at the begining of this month, but they continue to use ATT w/o a contract until they figure out what the next step for them is. I ask this because I just got an AT&T phone and while nothing is wrong, I'd like to have the option to walk away at any time within the next two years if I have to.

karmaghost

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

anfauglir — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:08:23 EDT

@simmo: Maybe you don't, but do you have two teenage daughters? That's how they communicate. The wife and I got a higher minutes plan because we thought they would be talking all the time. After almost a year we had like a bazillion rollover minutes, but an extra $20-30 a month for texting.

anfauglir

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

simmo — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:49:21 EDT

normal price? Australians pay $.25 and $.50 for MMS. And yet I still dont see my usage go over my plan....

simmo

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

slepton — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:47:54 EDT

I'm on the unlimited plan + 200 tsx/mm messages. I have my sony ericsson set to check my e-mail every 5 minutes. Not as fast of a delivery as the blackberry plan but it is cheaper and pretty much serves the same function for $20.

The only drawback, if even a drawback at all, is that everytime it checks my e-mail it's recorded. My Phone bill arrives arrives as thick as a catalog and almost gives me a heart attack when I see the envelope only to find out that 75% of the bill is my phone checking my e-mail.

Plus I have a 3rd party AIM program that uses the unlimited internet feature so I'm pretty much covered as far as alternate ways of contacting me besides you know, using the phone to actually make a phone call.

slepton

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

dink23 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:47:21 EDT

Hate to be the rain on the parade, Broadband Reports got this wrong and Giz needs to check the facts. AT&T is changing the rate of their Pay Per Use messaging rates from $.20 to $30. This only applies to people who do not pay for a monthly messaging package. People who do pay for a monthly messaging package will continue to pay their guaranteed overage rate (usually $.05 or $.10 per message depending on their package). Unlike Verizon and Sprint, AT&T chose not to raise the rates of customers paying for monthly messaging packages to prevent the get out of contract free loophole that VZW and Sprint customers took advantage of. Since pay per use users are not guaranteed the rate, it is not part of their contract, hence no free exit.

dink23

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

tme2nsb — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:33:15 EDT

WRONG WRONG WRONG. It is the Pay-Per Use Rate. IF YOU DO NOT have a Texting plan, you will be charged 0.20 for text and 0.30 for MMS. If you have a PRE-EXISITING PLAN - Read this good: THIS WILL NOT AFFECT YOU.
So you're overage rate with the iPhone plan...is still FIVE CENTS. If you go over on the $5 Messaging 200 plan, you will be charged TEN CENTS. Please Gizmodo, please try to research this before publishing false stories.

tme2nsb

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Aqua32 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:08:23 EDT

@frigg: It costs that much because that's what people are willing to pay.

If one wants the cost to go down, STOP USING IT!

If a fair amount of people stop using a product/service, the price will always go down (or out of existence). That's just business. Remember MIDI before they found a use for it (ringtones)? They used to cost absolutely nothing back in the day because nobody really listened to them.

Aqua32

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Buran — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:56:25 EDT

@thechansen: 5. If you're deaf, they allow you to communicate, period.

Buran

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

elpetay — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:15:32 EDT

If you can email, you can send MMS messages. This is not news.

To send an MMS (to an AT&T customer) from your iPhone, the trick is to use your email to send it, and send it to the following address (phone number)@mms.att.net.

Works like a charm and your recipient (phone number) will get a normal MMS message with your picture in it.

Other carriers have similar email addresses for MMS delivery (phone number)@...:
Verizon: vzwpix.com
Sprint/Nextel: messaging.sprintpcs.com
T-Mobile: tmomail.net
Virgin: vmobl.net
Boost Mobile: myboostmobile.com
Alltel: message.alltel.com
Amp'd: Mobile vzwpix.com

elpetay

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

joebeck — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:55:56 EDT

alright, i'm gonna try this again.. last 2 messages didn't submit.. anyway, afaik, this text rate hike only applies to those who don't already have a text plan.. therefore iphone users and other ATT users with text plans are safe (still $0.05 for additional msg's)... this is straight from the mouth of the ATT rep i spoke with a few weeks ago when i got the rate hike notification on my bill...

joebeck

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

chocmatic — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:21:47 EDT

I won't leave sprint I pay $85 unlimited data, texting, picture mail, 2000 min, ulimited nights and wknds, and nights & wknds start at 7 for four phones.

chocmatic

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Brewster1 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:16:58 EDT

From ATT's web page titled...

[ CTIA Consumer Code for Wireless Service ]

7. Provide customers the right to terminate service for changes to contract terms.
Carriers will not modify the material terms of their subscribers' contracts in a manner that is materially adverse to subscribers without providing a reasonable advance notice of a proposed modification and allowing subscribers a time period of not less than 14 days to cancel their contracts with no early termination fee.

This means if they honor their commitment, any change to the current SMS charge would allow you to get out of your contract, fee free!

-b2-

Brewster1

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

magik-12 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:11:55 EDT

assuming they dont go out of business any time soon.. doesnt Helio offer unlimited txting in all their plans?

I hate AT&T, but I do like my iPhoneToy..

magik-12

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

SBM_from_LA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:47:53 EDT

Does anyone remember the time before the original AT&T Cellular was bought out by Cingular? Even though they charged for sending SMS, everyone received unlimited "incoming SMS" messages, which was cool with me since I had set up my Yahoo messenger to send my offline messages to my Cell Phone.

SBM_from_LA

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

ry_ry — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:43:59 EDT

When I first joined up with US Cellular in August of 05, the rates were 10 cents per text (send only, everything received including calls is free) and 25 cents per MMS.

Now, the rates are 25 cents per text and I think 50 cents per MMS.

They just want you to shell out for a text plan, that's all. $10/month for 200 texts, or send 40 texts for that same price. Win-win for the telcos.

ry_ry

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

tek2582 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:34:45 EDT

For all those out there who thinks the phone can't MMS, check out SWIRLYMMS . . . an app for those who jailbroke their phone. Works great, can send and receive mms's . . . .
Now the landscape typing in text messages would be great!!

And can we complain some more? If you plan on texting a lot pay for unlimited . . .its not a hard concept to understand. You are only going to get screwed if you are cheap up front.

tek2582

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Sloth — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:33:39 EDT

This kind of price hike is exactly why I Hacked my iPhone, unlocked it, and stuck it out with T-Mobile!

Sloth

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

PiNPOiNT — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:21:16 EDT

2 questions.

- Does getting 200 messages/month, only refer to sending, and free incoming? or does receiving them also count.

- To break your contract due to the ToS changes, do all you have to do is tell them that? Or am guessing there is some very complicated way to go about actually breaking it.

T-Mobile is looking like a much better deal.

PiNPOiNT

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

RedBeard — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:13:07 EDT

at&t blows

RedBeard

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

bignaz2k — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:08:46 EDT

Just an FYI, the $120 plan isn't anything that special/paltry/whatever to those familiar with AT&T plans. It is just the unlimited calling ($100/mo) + their former MediaMax 200 plan that was unlimited internet + 200txt msgs for $20 --> $120.

bignaz2k

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

thechansen — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:56:32 EDT

@shiny7k:
All SMS really is, is PUSH email with 160 character limit. That they charge you an arm and a leg for. Hence why all cell phones have an email address, such verizon 2155551234@vtext.com

Teleflip is nice because you just have to enter the persons number with out having to remember all the cell phone provider specific addresses. So you have the ability to SMS or MMS using just the email client, and once you send a message to some one they just have to reply to you using the message you sent through teleflip to send a picture or text to your email. But I digress, why send an MMS when you can just upload to Flickr or your .Mac web gallery from your phone?

thechansen

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy! — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:45:55 EDT

I think AT&T's execs are clubbing baby seals and skinning snow leopard cubs in their ivory boardrooms these days, because thaz just fucked up yo.

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Boots_Mcoy — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:43:24 EDT

@aphex: Just what I was thinking.

Boots_Mcoy

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Matronix — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:40:04 EDT

@Sqube:

Just can't wait for the "iPhone Take 2" :)

Matronix

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

shiny7k — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:38:33 EDT

Isn't texting for phones that can't email? I just use email.

shiny7k

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Luke — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:38:11 EDT

Most technology gets cheaper over time, especially as it becomes more prevalent. Amazing how there's nothing you can do to prevent companies from charging 10,000% the cost of a service, except switch to another provider. Oh wait, you can't switch, because they all do it.

Luke

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Matronix — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:33:47 EDT

@thechansen:

It was more the receiving part is all...
Just gotta make sure my friends have my email in their phone.

Matronix

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

moveteam — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:30:58 EDT

Or $9 for unlimited text.

moveteam

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

milrtime83 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:30:00 EDT

Verizon has been at $.20 for texts for a while now, though they're still only ("only" being used very loosely) at $.25 for MMS. I guess ATT didn't want to be left out in the "rip off our customers as much as possible" department.

milrtime83

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

moveteam — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:28:42 EDT

That's really expensive in US. I pay $0,01 per text message in Denmark.

moveteam

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

drewls — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:26:46 EDT

Good idea...I'm off to search for a Palm BitTorrent client.

drewls

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Sqube — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:24:57 EDT

You're not getting MMS until iPhone 2.0

I don't have a problem with Apple but, at this point, I thought everyone knew that they'd give you anywhere between 80-95% of what you want in a given product. They give you the remaining 20-5% in the next iteration of the product but, in turn, leave some stuff out that you'd want.

So on and so forth. That's why people keep buying the next-gen stuff (see: iPod, iPhone, maybe even Macbook Air 2.0).

Sqube

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

thechansen — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:24:43 EDT

Long story short just get the extra text plan. 1500 texts a month equals 25 send and recieve a day. If you really need more than that you are some kind of social mutant who should cancel your voice plan. Or if you are deaf and legit need SMS, get the unlimited plan.

thechansen

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

James — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:15:00 EDT

@frigg: You're wrong, it's not 20 cents; it's 20 to send AND 20 to receive. That's a double charge, 40 cents! This is ridiculous!

Nothing makes me want to spew and line of superlatives at cell providers more than this. STOP texting, people! Why do they charge it? Because they can.

Dear AT&T, I'm going to make it a point to transfer as much data, daily, as possible.

James

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

gizak — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:13:55 EDT

Pathetic - I really wish there was some law against these absurd cell companies and their retarded rates, let alone jacking them up even more for txting of all things. Bandwidth for texting is next to nothing compared to voice. How about you start charging me for using the fucking backlight on my phone?

gizak

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

thechansen — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:07:47 EDT

@787style: That's almost the most disgusting thing I've read today.

@Matronix: Apple's little videos show you how to email photos. All you gotta do is email photo to (yourfriendscell#)@teleflip.com. They receive the photo on their phone and if they want to send you a picture they send it to your email address. To make it easier just add a second email address for your friends that has the teleflip in there.

thechansen

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

SigmundTheSeaMonster — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:05:48 EDT

@thechansen: #5 is Texting while sitting at a traffic light. (I am a witness to this, not the actual idiot doing it...like those that do it while operating a moving vehicle let alone an idling one)

SigmundTheSeaMonster

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

theorie — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:05:13 EDT

man at&t and apple love shafting their customers

theorie

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

787style — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:02:12 EDT

@thechansen: Number 5 is divorce by SMS!

787style

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

ClemClone — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:56:22 EDT

I don't text, I call

ClemClone

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

thechansen — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:56:22 EDT

SMS has 5 purposes:
1) communicating in loud settings like concerts.
2) Sending out mass SMS to avoid making 30 phones calls
3) Responding to a call that you couldn't answer with a "Hey I'll call you back, in a movie"
4) Instead of leaving a voicemail, SMS is much quicker and your friends will check it later.
5) ummm. 4 was a stretch so I can't think of a 5th.

thechansen

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

joebeck — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:55:32 EDT

eh, looks like my last comment didn't post... anyway, afaik this report is only partially true... the new msg rate hikes only apply to those without a current text message plan, therefore iphone users and those with text msg plans are safe (still $0.05 for additional msg's)... this is straight from the mouth of the ATT rep i spoke with

joebeck

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Blades — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:52:18 EDT

@frigg: Few years ago I did some work for Palm and found out that approx. cost for text is just below .001 cents per message.

How's that for greedy corps?

Blades

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Matronix — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:49:22 EDT

@Jayson J. Phillips:

Yeah I use a web-based IM client on my phone as well as text messaging at times. Just with raising prices like this and only leaving 200 txts (especially like on the unlimited voice/data plan) more will start using these IM clients when they catch on. IMO.

Matronix

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

frigg — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:48:17 EDT

Why are these so costly in the first place? Why does it cost them .20 to transfer:

OK CU @ 5

from one phone to another?

frigg

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Jayson J. Phillips — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:47:00 EDT

@Matronix:
actually - quite a few phones use IM over text messaging, even though it appears to sign-on via the internet.

Jayson J. Phillips

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

BurstAneurysm — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:45:39 EDT

@shorty3508: First thing I thought too.

BurstAneurysm

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

joebeck — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:37:46 EDT

just wait a minute, i called ATT about this a few weeks ago bc i've an iphone with the 200 msg plan... this report is only partially true... the msg rate hike only applies to those who don't currently have text message plans, therefore anyone with an iphone or other ATT phone with text message plan is safe (still charging .05 for additional msg's)... this is straight from the mouth of the ATT rep that i spoke with

joebeck

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

Matronix — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:35:38 EDT

1) I want MMS support on my iPhone.
2) Sounds like they want people to start using (using more) IMing clients on their phone to save from using text messages.

Matronix

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

MikeSWelch — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:28:20 EDT

Could this get us out of that silly 2 year contract? Not that I would be going anywhere.

MikeSWelch

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

aphex — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:28:12 EDT

Good News for those who want out of their contract!

aphex

AT&T Jacks Up Text Message, Multimedia Message Rates

shorty3508 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:27:49 EDT

it would be nice if we could actually type text messages in landscape mode

shorty3508