Messaging Application on Phones...

[YourDream84]

On the Messenger Applications included with your phone, do they use Media Net, or JUST text? I've read it's the 'cost of a text message', but on my phone, when I log on, and send messages, my little web browser icon shows up (as if I were logged on to Media Net), can someone shed some light on this? Because I'm always afraid to use my messengers on my phone, for fear I'll be basically double charged...

Thanks.

~*Ash*~

[Steven2420]

Originally Posted by YourDream84

On the Messenger Applications included with your phone, do they use Media Net, or JUST text? I've read it's the 'cost of a text message', but on my phone, when I log on, and send messages, my little web browser icon shows up (as if I were logged on to Media Net), can someone shed some light on this? Because I'm always afraid to use my messengers on my phone, for fear I'll be basically double charged...

Thanks.

~*Ash*~

Ash,

I can't shed much light on the possiblity of being charged double, however, I can tell you for a fact that if the Web icon is there, you are connected to the internet if it has any bars thru it. It is a different symbol on each brand. If you look in your owners manuel and you learn the meanings of all your icons, then you will be able to distinguish which are which. My Nokia 6682 has a few lines that go thru it when I am online. When I log off it goes back to the original symbol for the RF antenna. Check it out and let me know!

[YourDream84]

I have the Sony Ericsson Z520a, and it has this little globe that pops up when you log into the Messenger App. like if I were on media net. I guess my question is, when I'm on there, is it JUST using data... or is it also charging me per txt?

If it's just the former, then I think I will get an unlimited data plan, and shrink my txt plan some, I could save $$$ this way, since I fwd my AIM/Yahoo to my txt. And I have AIM and Yahoo on my phone...

Gawsh, I'm confused. :-S

~*Ash*~

[Charlyee]

Here is my 2 cents. The globe pops up because you are accessing the text messages with MediaNet. The text messages are only charged by the number of messages transmitted and not by the kb of data used.

HTH

[YourDream84]

Oh wow... I think I just got lost. So I'm going to ask this in simple terms... and see what happens.

Am I using KB's to access my buddy list, and such when I sign on? (That's when the Globe Pops up) And since that Globe stays on the whole time I'm in that messenger program, am I using more KB's for that also?

And does it also charge me for a text message everytime I message someone and vice-versa?

Because if the answer is yes to all of these Cingular is cheating me *I feel* by charging me for both... :-S

~*Ash*~

[Charlyee]

Ooops sorry, I was think of text messaging, probably because I was still back when you had asked about going over your text message quota. So scratch that last post.,,,

[YourDream84]

Yeah, I was thinking, (because Cingular does offer an unlimited data plan), if my Messenger Application used KB's, then I could just get the data plan, and a small text plan. Because 99% of my text's are used for AIM/Yahoo messaging.

I just can't figure this out... and it's highly confusing.

~*Ash*~

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by YourDream84

I have the Sony Ericsson Z520a, and it has this little globe that pops up when you log into the Messenger App. like if I were on media net. I guess my question is, when I'm on there, is it JUST using data... or is it also charging me per txt?

If it's just the former, then I think I will get an unlimited data plan, and shrink my txt plan some, I could save $$$ this way, since I fwd my AIM/Yahoo to my txt. And I have AIM and Yahoo on my phone...

Gawsh, I'm confused. :-S

~*Ash*~

In theory you're using data, but they're way too smart for that. If you're using AOL, MSN, Yahoo, or any of the others it counts as a message.\


-Jay

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

In theory you're using data, but they're way too smart for that. If you're using AOL, MSN, Yahoo, or any of the others it counts as a message.\


-Jay

Jay, you beat me to it again. Yes the instant messaging appilication count as text messages and do come out of your pool.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Charlyee

Jay, you beat me to it again. Yes the instant messaging appilication count as text messages and do come out of your pool.

Yeah, Ashley PM'ed me and directed me to this thread to see if I could help. Otherwise you would have gotten to that one.

-Jay

[YourDream84]

I actually stooped to calling Cingular... and my response was "I believe it's using a small bit of both. I think. It probably is. If you're getting that globe, it's probably accessing that site to connect, but once you're in the application, then it's using text. I believe."

Could he BE any more unsure?

~*Ash*~

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by YourDream84

I actually stooped to calling Cingular... and my response was "I believe it's using a small bit of both. I think. It probably is. If you're getting that globe, it's probably accessing that site to connect, but once you're in the application, then it's using text. I believe."

Could he BE any more unsure?

~*Ash*~

Ok, since you are getting that detailed, your buddy list, and the acts of signing in & out use data. Your messages are text. I hope this is now as clear as the Potomac on a hot summer day.

-Jay

[Steven2420]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Ok, since you are getting that detailed, your buddy list, and the acts of signing in & out use data. Your messages are text. I hope this is now as clear as the Potomac on a hot summer day.

-Jay

Well Jay, you educated me as well. Although I do have Unlimited Media Net, I use Agile Messenger allot, and I am going to dump it now because I don't want to reach my text limit through IM's.

Thanks Buddy!

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Ok, since you are getting that detailed, your buddy list, and the acts of signing in & out use data. Your messages are text. I hope this is now as clear as the Potomac on a hot summer day.

-Jay

True but that data usage does not get billed as data. For instance somebody that does not have a data plan but has the instant/text messaging plan, does not get addtional charges for data usage during signing in etc.......Right?????

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Charlyee

True but that data usage does not get billed as data. For instance somebody that does not have a data plan but has the instant/text messaging plan, does not get addtional charges for data usage during signing in etc.......Right?????

I think you pay for that data. I can't see them passing up an opportunity to charge you for it. I know on mine I am PPU on data and messages, and I'm charged for the data even if I don't exchange any messages. That's why I very rarely use AOL on my cell phone - aside from the fact that I find typing on a numeric keypad to be tedious at best.

-Jay

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I think you pay for that data. I can't see them passing up an opportunity to charge you for it. I know on mine I am PPU on data and messages, and I'm charged for the data even if I don't exchange any messages. That's why I very rarely use AOL on my cell phone - aside from the fact that I find typing on a numeric keypad to be tedious at best.

-Jay

Agreed, plus the signing on etc. would require accessing the AOL or Yahoo site and that is the same as accessing any website from the phone.

[eromrab]

yeah, i found out the "hard way" that they charge text messages for IM. Cingular sucks in general with text/internet plans. I have the PPU blocked on mine and block all the internet applications and refuse to use them until they get better plans.