Posted: August 6, 2008

The one feature of text-messaging I did not mention in the “Big Text” post which has created immense levels of frustration among wireless subscribers is the fact that they are charged for incoming messages as well as outgoing. This is effectively doubling the messaging revenue for the carriers while charging consumers for a service they did not initiate and, most of the time, cannot block. The carriers say that anyone who wishes to block SMS can simply call them and request the blockage; but not only is this a frustratingly complex procedure, but it results in the stoppage of all messages, not just spam.

You aren’t charged to receive a package through the mail, or an email, so why are we charged when for simply being the recipient of a text-message?

And now, two of Canada’s wireless operators are making a huge mistake in trying to implement this system where it did not previously exist. Up until now, Rogers, Telus, and Bell Mobility have only charged for outgoing messages, but Telus and Bell have recently announced that they will begin charging 15 cents per incoming message starting very soon. This has so angered their customers that both carriers face a class-action lawsuit stating that the change is an illegal breach of contract since their customers are locked in to multi-year plans.

I understand that the carriers see this as a potentially huge source of new revenue. But with the advent of all-you-can-text plans sweeping the globe, which will render per-message fees as pointless anyway, and the unheard of levels of consumer outrage that this will unleash, is this really the smartest move for the long term financial stability of their companies? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

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