face time activation - system message sent to 00447786205094 without my knowledge - charged by Vodafone Turkey

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face time activation - system message sent to 00447786205094 without my knowledge - charged by Vodafone Turkey

I started to use my iPhone 5 - IOS 8.3 purchased in Ireland, with my newly owned Vodafone Turkey gsm operator sim card.

i have noticed that gsm operator charged already 4 international sms messages to the number 00447786205094.

I contacted Vodafone Turkey; their reply is that these charges are sent by iPhone itself to activate facetime and imessage.

that, actually, does not explain fully:

>why 4 times already until i de-activated imessage and face time on my iPhone ( i would probably been charged more if i did not do so )

>why sending messages without my confirmation / wish / will

>why sending not-free sms messages to a British number eventhough i was in Turkey with a Turkish gsm operator sim card

can you please help me to undersand and get me a solution so that i can start using face time and iMessage services while i am in Turkey with Vodafone Turkey sim card

thank you in advance

iPhone 5, iOS 8.3

Posted on Jun 3, 2015 9:50 AM

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Answer 1

ckuan

Level 10

120,686 points

Jun 3, 2015 9:57 AM in response to tay_fun

Some provider charge international sms for connecting to Apple server, most iPhone supported carriers don't.

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Answer 2

Jun 3, 2015 10:01 AM in response to tay_fun

Vodafone Turkey is a supported carrier, and they should not be charging you for iMessage activation texts. Contact them directly and ask why they are.

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Answer 3

tay_fun Author

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Jun 3, 2015 10:13 AM in response to ckuan

thank you for your message ckuan

so;

> Is the Apple server in the UK? And regardless where you are using your iphone and regardless which sim card you are using, system message is sent to UK number? i really cannot comprehend why to the UK number while i am in Turkey with a Turkish sim card?

> Connecting to Apple server to activate imessage and or face time, does iphone send these system messages every time i activate/de-ativate face time? with the fact that i have already billed for 4 sms messages, it looks that whenever i switch my iphone off and on, iphone keeps "fresh" sending messages to the server in the UK? Am I wrong?

again, thank you Ckuan

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Answer 4

Jun 3, 2015 10:16 AM in response to tay_fun

It sends system SMS to a server in the UK whenever you activate or deactivate FaceTime or iMessage. It also sends them periodically if you don't disable the service. Partner carriers are not supposed to charge for these SMS activation/deactivation texts.

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Answer 5

ckuan

Level 10

120,686 points

Jun 3, 2015 10:19 AM in response to tay_fun

You are correct, if you switch iMessage/FaceTime ON/OFF. activation is needed and supported carriers do not charge.

Ask your provider why as stated in Lawrence post

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Answer 6

tay_fun Author

Level 1

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Jun 3, 2015 10:24 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

dear mr Lawrence

thank you for your prompt reply.

i already contacted Vodafone Turkey Support by e-mail and their written reply ( in Turkish, you may not understand ) states that they charge activation fee for iMessage and/or facetime. they also advised me to turn imessage and face time features OFF on my iphone ( which, i did not find that answer very solution focused )

thank you sparing time to reply my post, very kind of you

regards

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