Billed for SMS to +44 778 620-****
I have been billed for 36 SMS's to 44778620****. According to some internet references, it is the number iMessage uses to activate itself. Indeed not a number I have sent any SMS's to. So it appears the bug (feature?) I had getting my ported (Vodacom) number on a new iPhone 5 (Cell-C) to resolve the "Awaiting Activation" status cost me 36 international SMS's charged fees.
Why are we paying for iMessage / FaceTime activation? (While being connected to the internet anyway)
35 more times for an Apple glitch?
Anyone else had this?
The Service Provider say it is not their problem (even though it is their billing and invoice), "it is a 3rd party product, so talk to Apple ..."
Core Group, the local Apple distributor, and iStore, tried to help getting iMessage/FaceTime working properly, hence the 35 extra attempts, the final one of which worked.
We wont even mention the final Core techincal support advice of doing a SIM swap (again).
The first advice I was given by techincal support was "reinstall your OS". I've reguarly heard this somewhere else in the IT world, (nudge nudge grin grin). And yes I did eventualy try reflashing with the same iOS as suggested, to no avail.
Apple do not provide email support for me to query this.
Core say it is not their problem. (LOCAL Apple support)
Any suggestions anyone?
a) this should not be as a huge problem as I experienced and wasted many hours - ie. I'd have expected more from the premium Apple brand = try not let this happen again .... :-)
[Whats the point of having an iMessage that cannot recieve SMS's ???? (as your mobile number is not registered/activated on Apple). Or, automatically reverting to 'green' when 'blue' does not work]
b) How many $ are Apple (or some other 3rd party?) making out of these SMS charges - I'd like a refund for the the 35 that did not work please!!!
c) As I did not send any international SMS's, the reverse billing (MT Billing I think is the correct term), would fall foul of most SMS rules (laws) surely?
<Edited By Host>
iPhone 5, iOS 6.0.2, Cell-C, Nashua Mobile & Core Group
