bonacersteve
Level 1 (4 points)
iPhone

Q: data usuage between Iphones in Spain one US the other Spanish network

Can I use text messaging in Spain and how much data is used? Between Iphone on US network (ATT) and Iphone on Spanish network. Also if I text back to an Iphone in US is data used then?

iPad Air, iOS 9.3.5

Posted on Sep 10, 2016 6:28 AM

by Michael Black,Solvedanswer
Michael Black Michael Black
Level 7 (24,214 points)
A:

If the recipient is not using an Apple device, then you will be sending regular SMS texts. Whatever your carrier and plan charge for SMS or international SMS will apply, and those SMS texting charges will have nothing at all to do with your data connection (free or otherwise) since SMS uses your cell phones voice channel connection.

 

If you had access to a free wifi node, you could send an email instead and not incur any SMS texting charges.

 

iMessage is always a free service, always and everywhere. But it requires an internet data connection. If that connection is not free, then you will face data charges. If that connection is free, there will be no charges. Again, that applies always and everywhere.  Apple provides the free service but they have nothing to do with how you connect to the internet to use it.

Posted on Sep 10, 2016 6:56 AM

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bonacersteve

Q: data usuage between Iphones in Spain one US the other Spanish network

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Sep 10, 2016 6:36 AM in response to bonacersteve
    Level 7 (24,214 points)
    Sep 10, 2016 6:36 AM in response to bonacersteve

    If both devices are Apple devices and have active iMessage accounts then the message service is free. However, if you use cellular data for sending and receiving, that would fall under your carrier data plan.

     

    iMessage is a free messaging service from Apple. Since it requires an internet connection, if that internet connection is free, then then there is no charge of any kind. If that internet connection is not free, then you will pay whatever fee or data account charge is associated with that data connection.

  • by bonacersteve,

    bonacersteve bonacersteve Sep 10, 2016 6:41 AM in response to Michael Black
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 10, 2016 6:41 AM in response to Michael Black

    Great and helpful answer! What if I have to text someone not using an I phone (on a Spanish  network) what charges may be incurred then? Also is this answer also true for usage in Portugal?

  • by Michael Black,Solvedanswer

    Michael Black Michael Black Sep 10, 2016 6:56 AM in response to bonacersteve
    Level 7 (24,214 points)
    Sep 10, 2016 6:56 AM in response to bonacersteve

    If the recipient is not using an Apple device, then you will be sending regular SMS texts. Whatever your carrier and plan charge for SMS or international SMS will apply, and those SMS texting charges will have nothing at all to do with your data connection (free or otherwise) since SMS uses your cell phones voice channel connection.

     

    If you had access to a free wifi node, you could send an email instead and not incur any SMS texting charges.

     

    iMessage is always a free service, always and everywhere. But it requires an internet data connection. If that connection is not free, then you will face data charges. If that connection is free, there will be no charges. Again, that applies always and everywhere.  Apple provides the free service but they have nothing to do with how you connect to the internet to use it.