Per-message cost for text messages?

Question

Level 1

31 points

Per-message cost for text messages?

Sorry if this question has been answered elsewhere; I searched but couldn't find a specific answer. I was wondering if AT&T charges an additional per-message fee, even with a texting plan? I noticed on my bill that I was being charged five cents per message, even though I did not go over the 200-message limit. Is this supposed to happen, or is this some kind of glitch? When I bought my iPhone, the ATT rep I spoke with in the store assured me that I would not pay more than the 59.95/month (the base iPhone plan) unless I went OVER my texts or minutes; he didn't mention a per-text fee, but I seem to have one according to my bill. Any clarification would be appreciated, thanks.

iMac 20 in. 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Jan 26, 2008 11:32 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Jan 26, 2008 11:41 PM in response to Nevada Dav

When did you activate your iPhone?

Depending on when you activated your iPhone within the current billing cycle, the 200 SMS messages are prorated for that period of time remaining in the billing cycle. If you activated during the 3rd week of the billing cycle for example, you don't get 200 SMS for the final week of the billing cycle. The limit would be 50 or so and if you sent/received over whatever the prorated number is for the time remaining in the billing cycle, you will be charged extra for the number of SMS over the prorated amount.

Were you charged for each SMS or beginning after a certain number of SMS was reached?

Reply

Answer 2

victry1

Level 1

101 points

Jan 26, 2008 11:45 PM in response to Nevada Dav

If you didn't go over 200 messages, then you shouldn't be charged extra. It is 5 cents each additional message though. I have found AT&T lags in their billing for text by about 5 days & this is counted against the current month, not the one they were sent/received in. I guess it works out eventually, but I find it annoying.

If something isn't right though, I would call Customer Service. It is your money.

Reply

Answer 3

Nevada Dav Author

Level 1

31 points

Jan 27, 2008 12:26 AM in response to Nevada Dav

ah, that must be it. I think I bought it just days before the end of the billing cycle. I did get about ten messages before the charges so this makes sense. Thanks so much

Reply

Answer 4

Jan 27, 2008 12:33 AM in response to Nevada Dav

I would confirm this with AT&T customer service though.

Reply