International Mobile IMs

[hangukpwrlifter]

I don't know if this issue has already been addressed. Forgive me if it has. But here goes:

International text messages are ridiculously expensive, as we all know, especially since the national bundles don't accomodate them.

However, I was wondering this: if you and the person you want to frequently text message activate a mobile IM account, let's say MSN Mobile, and turn on mobile IM forwarding, is it possible to sidestep these international text message charges, since technically the IMs are being forwarded from your computer to your cell phone? I understand fully well that people in the same country who use mobile IM forwarding will still be charged as having used text messages.

If anyone can shed insight into this question, I'd much appreciate it!

[Quint101]

As far as I can tell, it would depend on the provider. Receiving and sending text mesages in a foreign country are subject to its own set of fees. I would conclude if an IM shows up on a phone as a text message, then a fee is required. if your phone uses data only for IM, you can get around text messaging fees, but you will likely incur data roaming fees.

[Bugwart]

If you have a mobile IM app on your phone, it does not matter where the person you are IM'ing is located. You pay the same for an IM to your next door neighbor as you would to someone half way around the world.