Thread: Cell Phone Execs Will Face Questions On Text Messaging Price Hikes
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fms is offline fms
2009-06-16 , 07:40
Posts: 1,418 | Thanked: 1,541 times | Joined on Feb 2008
#9
Originally Posted by twaelti View Post
Everyone has a mobile that can SMS, but not many have a smartphone that can IM.
Well, you can voice-call ones who cannot IM. Or send them an email which they will read once they get to a computer.

There is only one protocol, you can reach all other phone owners.
Given the cost, I would rather voice-call than use this "one protocol".

You don't need to have a separate IM account, just use your phone number.
Pretty much everybody, except retirees and toddlers, has at least one IM account now. IM accounts are free.

No setup, it just works.
Setting up an IM client takes about 5 minutes, including the download time. I have no problems spending these 5 minutes once, if it saves me money for months afterward.

These features make it "priceless" for many. Even when the costs are outrageous when calculated in cents/byte :-)
Sorry, but I do not see this as "priceless". All I see is service providers fleecing consumers who are too lazy/stupid to keep track of their own money.
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