IM counts as text MSG?

[iMaconApple]

Ok I'm on cheapest plan on att and I'm a new to AT&T

I'm not sure if it was my texting or me IM too much I don't really use much texting but it happen that I went over not so sure if I over text or what..Using beejiveIM

So do you get charge IM as text MSG?

Thanks

 

[philgilder]

no, IMs are all data... unless you have it set up so that replies are texted to you - this would use an SMS

 

[SilentPanda]

On AT&T I believe all incoming SMS messages are free. I think the only way you can send a text message that counts towards your monthly plan is via the "Messages" app on your iPhone.

 

[Scooterman1]

On AT&T I believe all incoming SMS messages are free. I think the only way you can send a text message that counts towards your monthly plan is via the "Messages" app on your iPhone.

I don't know about other AT&T plans, but on mine (Family Plan, iPhone Data, and Family Unlimited Messaging), the txt messages count BOTH ways.
Even when on 200 txts, you were docked for both Incoming AND Outgoing Txt Messages.
You can login to your http://wireless.att.com account and look at the Data, and Txt Messages.

 

[-aggie-]

I don't know about other AT&T plans, but on mine (Family Plan, iPhone Data, and Family Unlimited Messaging), the txt messages count BOTH ways.
Even when on 200 txts, you were docked for both Incoming AND Outgoing Txt Messages.
You can login to your http://wireless.att.com account and look at the Data, and Txt Messages.

+1. That's the way it is. I never send messages, since I get charged for them, but I get messages from family sometimes and also airline notifications. I get charged for all of them.

 

[SilentPanda]

Interesting. Didn't know that. Seems kind of crappy to get charged for incoming texts since you can't prevent them. Guess I never go over my 200 a month... heck I only use about 20 minutes of air time a month too...

 

[-aggie-]

Interesting. Didn't know that. Seems kind of crappy to get charged for incoming texts since you can't prevent them. Guess I never go over my 200 a month... heck I only use about 20 minutes of air time a month too...

Might as well get you a Touch.

 

[pauliphone]

at&t charge you to receive a message??? thats ridiculous, what if someone is texting you loads and you don't want them to?!

 

[-aggie-]

at&t charge you to receive a message??? thats ridiculous, what if someone is texting you loads and you don't want them to?!

Never had that happen, but I think you can call AT&T and get them blocked. Or you can even block them yourself, I think.

 

[STEVESKI07]

Not sure with the iPhone but I know with other phones I've owned, you aren't charged for simply receiving a text, just for reading it. So in that case, you could just never read the incoming texts and you will not get charged. Again, your best bet would be to check with AT&T though before taking my word.

 

[themoonisdown09]

Interesting. Didn't know that. Seems kind of crappy to get charged for incoming texts since you can't prevent them. Guess I never go over my 200 a month... heck I only use about 20 minutes of air time a month too...

at&t charge you to receive a message??? thats ridiculous, what if someone is texting you loads and you don't want them to?!

That is why I've always blocked text messages on my cell phone plans. I don't like getting charged $0.20 for a "hey, what's up" every day.

Now that I have an iPhone, my wife and I both use AIM to get "free texting".

 

[philgilder]

at&t charge you to receive a message??? thats ridiculous, what if someone is texting you loads and you don't want them to?!

it is ridiculous, isn't it. actually makes me glad to be on o2

 

[aristobrat]

at&t charge you to receive a message??? thats ridiculous, what if someone is texting you loads and you don't want them to?!

For whatever reason, that's how it's always worked on virtually every US carrier.

 

[-aggie-]

I should also say that I've always opened the messages I received. So, I can't say for sure if I would've been charged had I not opened them.

 

[Scooterman1]

This is taken from 'Wireless Data Service Terms and Conditions'. I have highlighted some important areas in Bold.

II. ADDITIONAL TERMS FOR SPECIFIC WIRELESS DATA SERVICES
TEXT, INSTANT MESSAGING AND PICTURE/VIDEO MESSAGING
Messages are limited to 160 characters per message. Premium text and picture/video messages are charged at their stated rates. Standard rates apply to all incoming messages when in the U.S. Different, non-standard per message charges apply to international messages sent from the U.S. Text, Instant, Picture, and Video messages are charged when sent or received, whether read or unread, solicited or unsolicited. AT&T does not guarantee delivery of messages. Text, Instant, Picture, and Video messages, including downloaded content, not delivered within 7 days will be deleted. AT&T reserves the right to change this delivery period as needed without notification. You are charged for each part of messages that are delivered to you in multiple parts. Picture/Video Messaging, data plan, and Text Messaging may need to be provisioned on an account in order to use Picture/Video Messaging. Some elements of Picture/Video messages may not be accessible, viewable, or heard due to limitations on certain wireless phones, PCs, or e-mail. AT&T reserves the right to change the Picture/Video message size limit at any time without notification. Picture/Video Messaging pricing is for domestic messages only. When a single message is sent to multiple recipients, the sender is charged for one message for each recipient and each recipient is charged for the message received. Text message notifications may be sent to non-Picture/Video Messaging subscribers if they subscribe to Text Messaging.

 

[aristobrat]

Text, Instant, Picture, and Video messages are charged when sent or received, whether read or unread, solicited or unsolicited.

IMO, AT&T's terms are confusing. The only time they charge you for an IM is when your IM client uses text messages instead of data.

AFAIK, on the iPhone, all IM clients use data. (So AT&T doesn't charge for IMs)

 

[Scooterman1]

IMO, AT&T's terms are confusing. The only time they charge you for an IM is when your IM client uses text messages instead of data.

AFAIK, on the iPhone, all IM clients use data. (So AT&T doesn't charge for IMs)

You're right. I just posted the terms to answer the OP's question. But you are right about the IM.

 

[ozzyman500]

If you use AIM you can get free texting and it shows up just like a normal text from the other person's view (not showing your screen name)...spend a few bucks on AIM and you're all set.

 

[Hawkwind]

For whatever reason, that's how it's always worked on virtually every US carrier.

A bit of an eye-opener, thanks... I guess that's why txt'ing didn't catch on in the U.S. as it did in the U.K.

 

[kicko]

Yes you can send free text a few ways.

I use IM+ for and with an AIM account or i believe Gtalk you can send SMS for free using data. So using an IM app that supports SMS and IM's is a plus.

Ultimatly I use Text Free, you text appear just as they would, your replies are pushed, and they give you a dedicated address name@textfree.us so your friends can send you free text directly to you.

I still keep the 200 texts from AT&T a month but i hardly use them at all now. I almost have to remind myself its ok if i do.

Just updated too is Unlimited SMS, does or should support push soon, and they will also give you a dedicated address too. Check it out.

 

[SeanMcC]

A bit of an eye-opener, thanks... I guess that's why txt'ing didn't catch on in the U.S. as it did in the U.K.

I wouldn't say it didn't "catch on", a good amount of american teenagers can text faster than they can type, we just pay for it.

 

[leomac08]

no, IMs are all data... unless you have it set up so that replies are texted to you - this would use an SMS

Maybe in the UK they are. But in the U.S, my at&t plan cost $20 bucks for unlimited messaging which includes unlimited, txt, MMS, and IM's.

 

[philgilder]

Maybe in the UK they are. But in the U.S, my at&t plan cost $20 bucks for unlimited messaging which includes unlimited, txt, MMS, and IM's.

no, i'm talking about apps that (before push notifications) sent you an SMS with the message when someone replied to you in an IM app. this would still cost 1 SMS message on a regular US iPhone plan

 

[leomac08]

no, i'm talking about apps that (before push notifications) sent you an SMS with the message when someone replied to you in an IM app. this would still cost 1 SMS message on a regular US iPhone plan

oh my bad.

 

[Primejimbo]

Maybe in the UK they are. But in the U.S, my at&t plan cost $20 bucks for unlimited messaging which includes unlimited, txt, MMS, and IM's.

On the iPhone Im's are data. A guy I work with has text messaging blocked but uses AIM to message people and he's unable to get texting.

This should help:
http://daol.aol.com/software/mac/iphone/aim/faq

What does AIM for iPhone and iPod Touch cost?

AIM for iPhone and iPod Touch is free to download from the Apple App Store and there are no additional charges to use AIM for iPhone or iPod Touch beyond your mobile carrier or WiFi provider's standard data rates.

What does AIM for iPhone and iPod Touch cost?

AIM for iPhone and iPod Touch is free to download from the Apple App Store and there are no additional charges to use AIM for iPhone or iPod Touch beyond your mobile carrier or WiFi provider's standard data rates.

What do I need to use AIM for iPhone and iPod Touch?

You'll need an Apple iPhone, iPhone 3G, or iPod Touch running iPhone OS 2.0. After downloading and installing the application over the air or via iTunes on your PC or Mac, you'll need to be connected to a data network in order to use AIM. You'll also need to have an AOL or AIM screen name, or a .mac or MobileMe account to sign in. You can register for a free screen name from the application.

AOL does not charge a fee to send text messages using AIM. Text messages are treated the same as normal IM messages and are included as part of your device's data plan.