Push Notification Service: is it free?

Question

FND Author

Level 1

10 points

Push Notification Service: is it free?

Is it free for the user or is it chargeable everytime it push? Thanks..

MacBook Pro, iPhone 3G, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Jul 17, 2009 2:26 AM

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Answer 1

nick101

Level 5

5,150 points

Jul 17, 2009 3:09 AM in response to FND

Depends who's pushing - the service provider can charge for the service, but the actual technical capability isn't an extra cost item

For example, Apple provides Push as part of MobileMe, but doesn't charge an extra for it

Does that help?

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Answer 2

FND Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 17, 2009 3:31 AM in response to nick101

Sorry my question not that clear, what i mean is for user end. Will it be any charges on phone bill, like when i use internet connection.. (without wifi)

Let say i use reminder-apps that use push notification, will it charge me everytime it send notification? just concern on my phone bill..

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Answer 3

nick101

Level 5

5,150 points

Jul 17, 2009 4:18 AM in response to FND

OK - now I understand. Push sends data to your phone, so you will be charged whatever your phone network provider charges for internet data.

It's the same as if you were browsing the web over the phone network.

Does that make sense?

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Answer 4

FND Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 17, 2009 5:16 AM in response to nick101

Yes, it makes sense.. that the answer that i'm looking for, even though not what i hope for. Thanks very much..

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Answer 5

JoeZinVA

Level 2

431 points

Jul 17, 2009 9:11 AM in response to FND

You are only charged for text messages, phone minutes, the iPhone Data Plan, and extra AT&T based services and taxes charged.

The Push Notification is considered a data usage unless the program requires your telephone number. If it requires your telephone number, it's an SMS.

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Answer 6

FND Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 17, 2009 5:57 PM in response to JoeZinVA

If that is the case, let say the apps use data usage (no phone number required) how many KB it takes to send one notification?

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Answer 7

KartM

Level 1

65 points

Jul 17, 2009 6:00 PM in response to FND

FND wrote:
If that is the case, let say the apps use data usage (no phone number required) how many KB it takes to send one notification?

Just wondering...are you on a pay as you go plan with the iPhone?

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Answer 8

FND Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 17, 2009 6:10 PM in response to KartM

Yes, my plan does not include free data.. its not in iphone plan actually. So i have to pay per usage.

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Answer 9

KartM

Level 1

65 points

Jul 17, 2009 6:15 PM in response to FND

Ouch
I dont know much data it uses bc I never observed myself. But with you iPhone, you can use Push and then in General > usage > Cellular network data - check how much data is being used. If too much, then turn off push.

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Answer 10

FND Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 17, 2009 6:26 PM in response to KartM

Thats one of the ways.. i'll do that. Thanks..

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Answer 11

Jul 21, 2009 10:59 PM in response to FND

Any idea how much data it will use if i switch on the push notification for say 8hr in a day? Assume no msg received. Just with the function turned on.

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Answer 12

FND Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 24, 2009 1:14 AM in response to Pango Mango

I've tested it. The result not so consistent, maybe there are certain time with no internet coverage. But roughly its about 80kb received and 40kb sent within 8hrs. So its about 10kb/hour data received. This is just turn on the function without message received. Its about 2kb for every message received.

But the result may vary..

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