3 ms·
Texts probably subsidize data. By the way, text messages are very cheap for carriers. They are sent on a control channel which is also used to establish and ho
by ugh 16y ago
Texts probably subsidize data.
By the way, text messages are very cheap for carriers. They are sent on a control channel which is also used to establish and hold calls. This channel has to be kept free at all times anyway so the carriers can’t use it for anything else. Text messages are moreover very patient. If the control channel is not available they will just wait.
- jarek 16y agoYeah. I hate cellular pricing as much as the next guy, but it's really just whatever the operators feel/have data will bring in business × whatever they feel/have data the market will bear. Comparing per-byte transmission costs makes about as much sense as comparing per-calorie cost of a cheap fast-food place with that of an upscale restaurant. As an aside, one of the big three Canadian operators just announced text messages not covered by a plan will soon cost 20 cents. They charge for both incoming and outgoing.
- dedward 16y agoThat's the real scam - charging for incoming. Charge for outgoing. Leave it at that - otherwise it's a mess. Why should i have to pay for a message I can't reject? That's silly. The CRTC should be hit up on that one.
- jarek 16y agoTechnically speaking, I believe there is an appeals process you can follow if you believe you are received unwanted messages. That makes it only slightly less of a crock, and I think applies mostly to actual spam rather than unwanted messages from real people. As for the CRTC, well, good luck to all of us.
- alexophile 16y agoI remember a friend of mine having to get on AIM on his phone to tell people not to text him because he was over his limit. It's really amazing how quickly and firmly "Our bill this month is how much because of unexpected overage charges?!" has been planted in American cultural canon.
- notahacker 16y agoI'm perfectly happy for overpriced SMS messages sent by SMS addicts to subsidise my unlimited data contract [I live in the UK so SMS messages are free to receive and the number I send per month is well within the limits of my plan]
- jamii 16y agoWait, you have to pay to receive messages in the US. Thats batshit. I wonder if there are any mechanisms in place to prevent financial ddos?