MSE News: Got a Samsung phone? You could get charged extra for sending emojis

cifpower

I haven't sent a text in months. Me and everyone else uses Whatsapp.

AshleyBones

I recently replace a Samsung Ace1 with a new Samsung Ace3.

On the GiffGaff network MMSs are only charged at 16p.

I routinely sent SMSs containing emoticons and the Ace1 NEVER, repeat, NEVER converted it to an MMS - unless it was a very long text or I attached a pic.

But here's the 'rub'....

I NEVER had data enabled on the Ace1 to send (or receive) MMSs and never had a problem sending either SMSs or MMSs.

Since using the Ace3 I cannot send an MMS and get a message telling me that data must be enabled. When I enable data they still won't send and I've tried MANY different APN settings and GiffGaff have said they cannot determine what the problem is.

But I am now getting the impression that newer phones MUST have data enabled to send MMSs - this is utterly ridiculous as if you have data enabled why would you send an MMS? You could simply email or send pics via any number of methods.

As someone who very seldom enables data (only to urgently browse www or check emails if no wifi available and then maybe only a couple of time a month) I used to find being able to send the occasional pic via a 16p MMS convenient and faff-free.

I think the handset manufacturers and service providers have lost the plot on this issue.

I don't want to have to install a third party app or have data routinely enabled.

[Deleted User]

The article recommends using Facebook Chat, but going offline and only online to actually start a conversation.

That's stupid - if everyone did that, nobody would ever be online to receive any message.

AshleyBones

billbennett wrote: »

The article recommends using Facebook Chat, but going offline and only online to actually start a conversation.

That's stupid - if everyone did that, nobody would ever be online to receive any message.

I agree - I'm affraid the manufacturers and service providers seem prepared to cater only for those people who are obsessive users, always connected to the web.

There are many people who rarely or seldom connect to the web. Many, amazingly, predominantly use there phones to make phone calls! Such people are often regular texters and MMSers.

Clearly, the IT companies are only interested in certain types of users and the rest of us can 'go hang'. And of course, service providers are always happy for their customers to fall foul of such traps as this - inadvertainly sending messages that will cost them 40p, a nice little revenue generator.

AshleyBones

d123 wrote: »

Just download an alternative messaging app from the Play Store and the problem is solved.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jb.gosms&hl=en_GB

Or

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.p1.chompsms&hl=en_GB

That may be a solution for some (most?) but not for me and not for many people I know. Using an app for SMS/MMS means that you have to have data enabled and I and many people I know only enable data to occasionally access the www or check their emails.

Many people with smart phones use their devices predominantly as a phone - I know that is a shocking concept and difficult for social media addicts to comprehend. Those same people are often big users of SMS and thus the MMS issue affects them.

So, using a third party app and having data enabled means that, even with careful management of all your apps, your phone will keep nibbling away at your data; you'll probably end up using a lot more data; your battery consumption will be adversely affected.

d123

AshleyBones wrote: »

That may be a solution for some (most?) but not for me and not for many people I know. Using an app for SMS/MMS means that you have to have data enabled and I and many people I know only enable data to occasionally access the www or check their emails.

Many people with smart phones use their devices predominantly as a phone - I know that is a shocking concept and difficult for social media addicts to comprehend. Those same people are often big users of SMS and thus the MMS issue affects them.

So, using a third party app and having data enabled means that, even with careful management of all your apps, your phone will keep nibbling away at your data; you'll probably end up using a lot more data; your battery consumption will be adversely affected.

I have no idea where you got that idea from, no app needs data to send SMS, and all apps (including stock) will need data to send MMS.

I don't think you quite have a grasp on the technology you think you do. The way Android works, you download a Messaging app and designate it as the default and it then works in place of the original stock app. It uses no more (or less) resources as the replaced app.

[Deleted User]

The data used to send MMS should not come out of your data allowance or charge you for data on top of the MMS charge. I used to send MMS all the time 10 years ago when they were still relatively new using a pay&go phone. I was only charged for the price of the MMS and not data also.

d123

Deleted_User wrote: »

The data used to send MMS should not come out of your data allowance or charge you for data on top of the MMS charge. I used to send MMS all the time 10 years ago when they were still relatively new using a pay&go phone. I was only charged for the price of the MMS and not data also.

You are right, MMS uses a separate data APN and should only be charged at the MMS cost.

AshleyBones

d123 wrote: »

I have no idea where you got that idea from, no app needs data to send SMS, and all apps (including stock) will need data to send MMS.

I don't think you quite have a grasp on the technology you think you do. The way Android works, you download a Messaging app and designate it as the default and it then works in place of the original stock app. It uses no more (or less) resources as the replaced app.

Which idea?

Firstly, although I'm not an expert I have worked with IT since the early 1980s and been using mobile phones since c1990.

Secondly, although slightly off topic but I believe linked, the issue here is MMSs which I have been sending for many years, on a number of phones, using the stock app, without having data enabled.

My last phone was an Ace1 and I only ever enabled data on rare occasions to access www. I routinely sent MMSs. My previous phone was a Sony, I NEVER enable data on that and routinely sent picture messages.

I have not imagined this, I am not intoxicated or on drugs. My brother had an Ace1, NEVER used data and often sent me MMSs, including from mainland Europe. He ABSOLUTELY, CATEGORICALLY, would not have had data enabled whilst Roaming. My sister-in-law still has an Ace1 and has NEVER EVER enabled data, as she NEVER uses the www. She routinely sends MMSs.

So whilst I'm sure your are more expert than I in relation to the technicalities of this issue, I do know what I have been able to do for years.

I'm well aware that SMS uses no data and that MMS is sent using data but I would respectfully suggest you investigate this issue a little more - clearly, not all phones operate in the same way.

My assumption is that some phones, including my old phones, somehow over-rode the setting to send the MMSs, on the basis that the user is not charged for the data used to send the MMS but instead is charged a fixed unit rate for each MMS.

However, if you discover the exact method that has made this possible I'd be interested in hearing the explanation.

AshleyBones

Correct, I didn't say you would be charged for data used sending MMS.