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Just got off the phone with Verizon..

S

Sleeve

Newbie
(no this is not a Froyo thread) and the CS agent hinted there is a way to send Text Messages as data, so one isn't billed for a text. He said he can't say more, but I should look into it.

I'm going to Japan in a week and I'm putting the international data plan on. However, text messages are still $.50 to send.

Can any of you internet Ninjas help me out?
 
Sleeve said:
(no this is not a Froyo thread) and the CS agent hinted there is a way to send Text Messages as data, so one isn't billed for a text. He said he can't say more, but I should look into it.

I'm going to Japan in a week and I'm putting the international data plan on. However, text messages are still $.50 to send.

Can any of you internet Ninjas help me out?
Click to expand...

Google voice
 
Is that an App? Sorry i'm green when it comes to smart phones.


Edit: The App says it's "currently only available in the US". :mad:
 
Sleeve said:
Doesn't that just make it a pic message?
Click to expand...

I always thought MMS counted as data, as it send's out over 3G EVDO network not the 1x network. I might be wrong, but i'm pretty sure I haven't had a charge on my account for the pic msgs i've sent in the past.

Im looking into it more now
 
I worked for VZW and I can tell you its a picture message. Most people think it uses your text messages but its actually data on SOME phones. Most phones give you the option to start a new SMS or MMS message. If you start it as an MMS it sends it like a picture. On the Incredible it just gives you the option for a new message and only if you apply a picture does it send it as a picture message. So you can maybe upload a picture to your phone that is blank and enter each time you send a text so it converts it to a picture message. Don't forget you will get charged for incoming text messages but that is probably 5 or 10 cents
 
Since there is no additional charge WiFi, if you can find a hot spot, you and your contacts set up a Gmail account, log on and compose a message, save it in "Drafts"
Your contact can log on to the same account and read the draft, compose another message, save it in "Drafts", you log on and read it, nothing gets actually sent so there should be no charge.

Read about this in a spy novel, tried it and it works. ;)
 
I don't know if you use aim and it's not the most convenient thing ever but I know that you can IM people's phones so they receive it as a text and you send it as an IM/
 
So this is what I found out...


If you have a PDA or Smartphone, picture and video messaging transport will not be billed unless you are in the Extended National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area; in which case picture and video messaging transport will be billed as data usage per your data plan or feature, or billed at 1.5
Click to expand...
 
what about textplus? I've used that on my ipad before it came out on android and it worked over wifi great so I'm assuming it would be the same via 3g
 
I'm confused - I don't have a text message plan and use google voice for msgs but can't send picture messages. Are you guys saying that MMS messages using the normal msg app are free? They don't charge 20 cents per MMS like they do per SMS?
 
kayst said:
I'm confused - I don't have a text message plan and use google voice for msgs but can't send picture messages. Are you guys saying that MMS messages using the normal msg app are free? They don't charge 20 cents per MMS like they do per SMS?
Click to expand...

I dunno what plan everyone else is on, but im only on the $59.99 plan 450 mins and unlimited text, plus the data package, and my plan give me the below benefits.

vzw.png


I'm pretty sure MMS count as data as they use the 3G network to send... Unless your roaming, I don't think you get charged for them... I know I haven't anyways.
 
I use the google voice app. You set it up so that it doesn't fwd texts from your google voice number to your cell number, and then you use the app to manage it. People must txt your google voice number for incomming to be free.

I use this and have no txting plan at all.
 
contagous said:
Attach a picture, its now a MMS, which uses Data :P
Click to expand...

attach a picture so he uses data the only problem is that mms wouldbe more expensive to send from overseas if that service is available.

Just remember the $30 you pay a month for data doesn't include an msging service, not even mms
 
contagous said:
I dunno what plan everyone else is on, but im only on the $59.99 plan 450 mins and unlimited text, plus the data package, and my plan give me the below benefits.

vzw.png


I'm pretty sure MMS count as data as they use the 3G network to send... Unless your roaming, I don't think you get charged for them... I know I haven't anyways.
Click to expand...

your plan is the 450 min plan unlimited text and picture msg for $59.99
you're paying an additional $20.00 to have unlimited msging service, the same plan without msging service will cost you $39.99 for 450 min

so if you have a smartphone you're paying $89.99 ($59.99 for your 450 min w/ unlimited msging + $30.00 for data [unlimited email & web for smartphones, personal emails + $3 road side assistance] = $92.98 total bill before taxes) then you include taxes your total should be around $105 or so.

the $30 data for smartphone does not include mms, the data charge includes internet, email and gps using google maps not the vzw navigator.
 
contagous said:
Attach a picture, its now a MMS, which uses Data :P
Click to expand...

contagous said:
I always thought MMS counted as data, as it send's out over 3G EVDO network not the 1x network. I might be wrong, but i'm pretty sure I haven't had a charge on my account for the pic msgs i've sent in the past.

Im looking into it more now
Click to expand...
Pictures messages do use the data network to send, however they are billed as text messages, thus why you dont need a seperate plan to send pictures messages. If you do this over sea's you will 100% get billed .50c to sent, .25c to receive. If you have the international data plan, you will still get billed. You can use vtext.com thats texting through the internet, or any app these ppl are throwing out that will work internationally, that use data to send. Ide be careful though, our network might still be able to recognize it as a text.
 
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