Opinions - Operators should be just fine despite iMessage precedent

[HEXUS]

Texting is becoming passé and operators are worried about what will replace it.

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[kingpotnoodle]

There will always be those who want simple phones only, that can talk/text to anyone... my Dad for example. These people are often on PAYG, which I suspect is where the majority of SMS revenue comes from (10-12p a message, or free IF you top up at least £X a month - i.e. guaranteed revenue) - those of us on contract have been used to more free SMS than we can use for several years now (I get 3000... 100 a day, come on that's like 1 every 10 mins of awake time!), out price plan choice is more about cost, minutes and data with smartphones, SMS are always there thrown in to the deal.

I don't see the demise of SMS revenue until even the simplest of PAYG phones come with cheap always on data connections and cross platform messaging system as simple as SMS - and that is some years away if ever.

[crossy]

I don't see the demise of SMS revenue until even the simplest of PAYG phones come with cheap always on data connections and cross platform messaging system as simple as SMS - and that is some years away if ever

Very true - a lot of PAYG come with no real data allowance (or should that be 'only a few PAYG come with a usable d.a.'?). E.g. my wife's phone (on Three) only get's about 30MB/month.

The other point is that SMS is like 'phone email', because you cast your message into the ether, and the other person picks it up when they can - on the other hand "instant" messaging is exactly that - you've got to be online/active to be able to use it. Plus, as ScottB's article points out, SMS is interconnectable (e.g. Nokia on Voda can easily send/receive to Sony on T-Mobile), IM isn't.

That being the case (personally speaking) it's mobile email that's the threat to SMS, not IM. That said, weren't we all supposed to also be using video calling by now, rather than that "incredibly primitive" voice calling?

[scaryjim]

... weren't we all supposed to also be using video calling by now ...

Indeed we were, and to be riding in hovercars, and have colonies on the moon! Where are the colonies??!?!?!

The disappointing thing for me is just how heavily tarifs are weighted towards calls, and particularly texts, over mobile data. My current tarrif gives me 100 minutes and 500 texts, but "only" 500MB of data. Since I only send about 25 texts a month, I find it very frustrating. And I can't get a plan with a higher data allowance without signing up for 3x - 5x as many minutes and text, when I already have > 10x as many as I need! I think it's about time networks realised that a lot of people are getting their smartphones to use as always-connected PDAs, and did plans accordingly (hell, why not an unlimited data plan with a fixed charge for minutes & texts? I'd sign up to it!)

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Where are the colonies??!?!?!

I blame the space Nazis:

http://www.ironsky.net/

[crossy]

Indeed we were, and to be riding in hovercars, and have colonies on the moon! Where are the colonies??!?!?!

Given the state of some of the roads, a hovercar would make a heck of a lot of sense.

The disappointing thing for me is just how heavily tarifs are weighted towards calls, and particularly texts, over mobile data. My current tarrif gives me 100 minutes and 500 texts, but "only" 500MB of data. Since I only send about 25 texts a month, I find it very frustrating. And I can't get a plan with a higher data allowance without signing up for 3x - 5x as many minutes and text, when I already have > 10x as many as I need! I think it's about time networks realised that a lot of people are getting their smartphones to use as always-connected PDAs, and did plans accordingly (hell, why not an unlimited data plan with a fixed charge for minutes & texts? I'd sign up to it!)

I don't change my phone very often, but that's something that always annoys - that "smartphones" seem to be subjected by the carriers to the same assumptions as dumbphones. The only notable exception is Three, but then again, they've always been a data-heavy carrier. Not that I'm singing Three's praises, (because their support is d-i-r-e), but I wondered why the other carriers haven't tried to match/exceed their plans.

Hopefully with the rise-and-rise of smartphones, the penny'll eventually drop and we'll get data plans with the option of voice/text rather than voice/text plans with optional data.

Of course, a cynic could argue that the reason that we see "data lite" plans at the moment, is that the carriers realise that their networks would jam up like motorways in bank holidays if they stopped ... "discouraging" ... people from transferring a lot of data.

[scaryjim]

... Of course, a cynic could argue that the reason that we see "data lite" plans at the moment, is that the carriers realise that their networks would jam up like motorways in bank holidays if they stopped - "discouraging" - people from transferring a lot of data.

I've just had a quick look round the 5 major operators, and I can't believe how heavily they've scaled back their offerings. As far as I can tell, Three is now the only company offering more than 1GB of data usage on their mobile broadband plans - how can that be right?

Looks like I'll be putting in a lot of hard yards and chewing the ear off lots of customer service staff in a couple of months' time...

EDIT: or possibly getting a Three SIM-only 100 1month plan. That looks distinctly possible

[pp05]

The problem with these imessage type apps is you don't know what data they are extracting from your phone and sending it to whom. That is the only reason I haven't looked further into it but I do see the convenience of it. BBM do it the best.

SMS has delivery reports which is quite useful. I remember when sms whilst at sixth form. Suddenly they started charging for it. They have had it too good for too long. 3g is pretty poor in my area.

[scaryjim]

Hopefully with the rise-and-rise of smartphones, the penny'll eventually drop and we'll get data plans with the option of voice/text ...

Hunting around, Three do a SIM-only internet plan which provides 2GB of data, with calls & texts at a flat rate. They also do a 1 month plan with 100 minutes and 1GB of data, although that one does also include a ridiculous 3000 texts. Based on that, surely data and voice must be much higher margin than SMS? Otherwise why would they offer so many free texts?

[Scott B]

Hunting around, Three do a SIM-only internet plan which provides 2GB of data, with calls & texts at a flat rate. They also do a 1 month plan with 100 minutes and 1GB of data, although that one does also include a ridiculous 3000 texts. Based on that, surely data and voice must be much higher margin than SMS? Otherwise why would they offer so many free texts?

On the contrary, it's because texts cost so little that they can afford to chuck loads of them in to pad out the contract.

[scaryjim]

On the contrary, it's because texts cost so little that they can afford to chuck loads of them in to pad out the contract.

Ah yes, of course - must've put my brain in backwards this morning

[3dcandy]

Texts effectively cost the network nothing, the reason they are 140 characters long is because they are part of the packet system which is sent all the time with your phone connected. When GSM became available in the UK all texts were free, because they really should be...
Data consumption is getting lower simply because they useage is climbing. My Orange data is getting worse and worse with more problems and slower downloads as the network struggles...

[TooNice]

GiffGaff offers unlimited SMS and Data for as little as £10 which is handy if you aren't a heavy voice user. The main restriction is that unlike 3, you are not meant to tether with it (which is fine by me). At 4p per SMS, their PAYG rate is probably one of the best.