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RITMarketer · 09-27-2002, 4:17 PM

Just curious if anyone can tell me about how Verizon and T-mobile are in terms of Prepaid with text messaging, specifically through AIM.

I'd be interested in having an "AIMPHONE", but I'm not going to have a monthly service charge and a bunch of minutes I just don't need. I've been thining that I could go prepaid, refill as needed at $0.10/msg...I figure $20 every 1-2 months is no big deal for the convenience of this kind of service as I'd get a lot of use out of it.

Can anyone tell me if there'd be any value in going prepaid for AIM w/one of these companies? With what I've just read about Verizon's system, it's my guess that T-mobile'd be the only one on which it would be even worth considering.

bobolito · 09-27-2002, 5:17 PM

T-Mobile and Sprint have the best AIM integration. I would consider them first if your interest is just to use AIM.

RITMarketer · 09-27-2002, 6:19 PM

Sprint???

I didn't even know Sprint HAS AIM integration.

now that still leaves the question of doing it w/ prepaid...

P

aiwapro · 09-27-2002, 8:28 PM

It will be worth it with T-Mobile. T-Mobile's AIM is done through SMS, which are text messages.

Sprint PCS doesn't have true SMS. They require you to log on the their wireless web, which is not SMS.

Go with T-Mobile. Get the 3390. It has an AIM application built into the phone.

RITMarketer · 09-28-2002, 10:23 AM

Does it work out with prepaid that I can just do AIM for like 10 cents/msg?

P

aiwapro · 09-28-2002, 2:12 PM

Yes, I believe that's the rate for pre-paid.

RITMarketer · 09-28-2002, 3:04 PM

Where can I find out about the prepaid plans/packages that t-mobile offers? I've scoured their web site, and they don't seem to offer much information about it.

P

Matt · 09-28-2002, 8:40 PM

click here for some reason this page isn't readily available. Once you put in your city/state, you'll get a tab for prepaid.

bobolito · 09-28-2002, 9:53 PM

At 10 cents per message, AIM will burn a hole in your pocket if you are not careful. If used on a regular basis you can easily send and receive hundreds of messages in one month. Both incoming and outgoing messages count. Since the AIM service works through the SMS system, it would be better to get the Basic $19.99 plan and add $2.99 to get 500 messages. That will give you an average of 16 messages per day sent or received. On pre-pay, at $0.10/ msg, 500 messages come up to $50 dollars! Choose what you feel best fits your needs.

Matt · 09-29-2002, 2:51 PM

I know you mentioned you weren't interested in a contract, but the lowest T-Mobile plan might be OK. For 19.99 you get 75 minutes (I think) per month, nationwide, and 50 free incoming messages. Then as bobolito said you can get 500 additional messages (in/out) for 2.99. So your cost would be $23/month for 75 minutes plus 550 total messages for AIM.

cryogenic · 09-29-2002, 11:08 PM

Matt, when you think about it, that's really not a bad deal, especially with the 75 (I thought it was 60) minutes to use in an emergency if necessary... too bad they don't include unlimited weekends on that plan like all the others... That'd rock, but given the price point of the plan, it'll never happen. It's obviously meant as an alternative to prepay.

bobolito · 09-29-2002, 11:21 PM

I was checking the website and it shows 60 minutes for the basic plan.

Matt · 09-30-2002, 8:23 AM

sorry about that - it is 60. A few markets used to have 75 [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

RITMarketer · 09-30-2002, 8:38 AM

*Absorbs all that miscellaneous information*

Matt: Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Bob: good point, that would run up a bill. I forgot 500 msgs isn't really going to go very far.

I think I'm just going to wait this out for a while. I suspect my "real" reason for wanting it is that I'm currently between homes and don't have my normal regular access to AIM that I usually have when my computer is hooked up and I'm on it daily (I come on WA from work).

I'm going to keep watching to see what Cingular comes up with, because I figure it'll be best just to show company loyalty to my work and stick with our own brand of phones. If they end up doing something dumb like hooking up with Yahoo, I'll just bug some of my friends to get Yahoo. Besides, then I will be getting a plan anyway and just attach a large package to my plan and not feel bad about getting an "extra" phone for a stupid use.

In regards to the 60/19.99. Doesn't every company have an offer like that, for basically an "Emergency Phone" that's not a Prepay? I know we offer 50 home/19.99 a month, no weekends, no promotions, just for use. If people want a "true" emergency phone, I point them to prepay, b/c they'll be paying $20 every three months (only to not expire) instead of every month, but I've found that most customers at least want to get a little bitof regular use out of their phone.

P

09-30-2002, 9:56 AM

I have a question

For Aim can you check just who is online in realtime, becuause if I have Aim I would like to cjust check who is online at the time.

In sim,pler terms
Does teh buddy list wrk like teh real buddy lists?

10-02-2002, 9:52 AM

Does nebody have this information?

09-27-2002, 4:17 PM	#1
RITMarketer Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 295 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? Just curious if anyone can tell me about how Verizon and T-mobile are in terms of Prepaid with text messaging, specifically through AIM. I'd be interested in having an "AIMPHONE", but I'm not going to have a monthly service charge and a bunch of minutes I just don't need. I've been thining that I could go prepaid, refill as needed at $0.10/msg...I figure $20 every 1-2 months is no big deal for the convenience of this kind of service as I'd get a lot of use out of it. Can anyone tell me if there'd be any value in going prepaid for AIM w/one of these companies? With what I've just read about Verizon's system, it's my guess that T-mobile'd be the only one on which it would be even worth considering.

09-27-2002, 5:17 PM	#2
bobolito iPhone 3G 16GB (White) Join Date: May 2002 Location: in front of my computer Posts: 12,542 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, Sierra 875 3G Aircard Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: WiFi cards/Access points Thanks: 3 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts Images: 50 My Auctions	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? T-Mobile and Sprint have the best AIM integration. I would consider them first if your interest is just to use AIM. __________________

09-27-2002, 6:19 PM	Original Poster #3
RITMarketer Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 295 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? Sprint??? I didn't even know Sprint HAS AIM integration. now that still leaves the question of doing it w/ prepaid... P

09-27-2002, 8:28 PM	#4
aiwapro Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,455 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? It will be worth it with T-Mobile. T-Mobile's AIM is done through SMS, which are text messages. Sprint PCS doesn't have true SMS. They require you to log on the their wireless web, which is not SMS. Go with T-Mobile. Get the 3390. It has an AIM application built into the phone.

09-28-2002, 10:23 AM	Original Poster #5
RITMarketer Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 295 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? Does it work out with prepaid that I can just do AIM for like 10 cents/msg? P

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09-28-2002, 2:12 PM	#6
aiwapro Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,455 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? Yes, I believe that's the rate for pre-paid.

09-28-2002, 3:04 PM	Original Poster #7
RITMarketer Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 295 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? Where can I find out about the prepaid plans/packages that t-mobile offers? I've scoured their web site, and they don't seem to offer much information about it. P

09-28-2002, 8:40 PM	#8
Matt Busy chasing my son Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lititz, Pa. Posts: 4,876 Phone(s): Motorola Cliq, BlackBerry 8820 Provider(s): T-Mobile Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Images: 2	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? click here for some reason this page isn't readily available. Once you put in your city/state, you'll get a tab for prepaid. __________________ Join the T-Mobile Group Forum (or any other!) ...a/k/a cheerioboy26 elsewhere on the net....

09-28-2002, 9:53 PM	#9
bobolito iPhone 3G 16GB (White) Join Date: May 2002 Location: in front of my computer Posts: 12,542 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, Sierra 875 3G Aircard Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: WiFi cards/Access points Thanks: 3 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts Images: 50 My Auctions	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? At 10 cents per message, AIM will burn a hole in your pocket if you are not careful. If used on a regular basis you can easily send and receive hundreds of messages in one month. Both incoming and outgoing messages count. Since the AIM service works through the SMS system, it would be better to get the Basic $19.99 plan and add $2.99 to get 500 messages. That will give you an average of 16 messages per day sent or received. On pre-pay, at $0.10/ msg, 500 messages come up to $50 dollars! Choose what you feel best fits your needs. __________________

09-29-2002, 2:51 PM	#10
Matt Busy chasing my son Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lititz, Pa. Posts: 4,876 Phone(s): Motorola Cliq, BlackBerry 8820 Provider(s): T-Mobile Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Images: 2	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? I know you mentioned you weren't interested in a contract, but the lowest T-Mobile plan might be OK. For 19.99 you get 75 minutes (I think) per month, nationwide, and 50 free incoming messages. Then as bobolito said you can get 500 additional messages (in/out) for 2.99. So your cost would be $23/month for 75 minutes plus 550 total messages for AIM. __________________ Join the T-Mobile Group Forum (or any other!) ...a/k/a cheerioboy26 elsewhere on the net....

09-29-2002, 11:08 PM	#11
cryogenic Join Date: May 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,443 Phone(s): Samsung A990 Provider(s): Verizon Devices: iriver H10 6GB mp3 player Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? Matt, when you think about it, that's really not a bad deal, especially with the 75 (I thought it was 60) minutes to use in an emergency if necessary... too bad they don't include unlimited weekends on that plan like all the others... That'd rock, but given the price point of the plan, it'll never happen. It's obviously meant as an alternative to prepay. __________________ Firefox My blog/pic gallery/etc

09-29-2002, 11:21 PM	#12
bobolito iPhone 3G 16GB (White) Join Date: May 2002 Location: in front of my computer Posts: 12,542 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, Sierra 875 3G Aircard Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: WiFi cards/Access points Thanks: 3 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts Images: 50 My Auctions	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? I was checking the website and it shows 60 minutes for the basic plan. __________________

09-30-2002, 8:23 AM	#13
Matt Busy chasing my son Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lititz, Pa. Posts: 4,876 Phone(s): Motorola Cliq, BlackBerry 8820 Provider(s): T-Mobile Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Images: 2	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? sorry about that - it is 60. A few markets used to have 75 [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] __________________ Join the T-Mobile Group Forum (or any other!) ...a/k/a cheerioboy26 elsewhere on the net....

09-30-2002, 8:38 AM	Original Poster #14
RITMarketer Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 295 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? Absorbs all that miscellaneous information Matt: Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Bob: good point, that would run up a bill. I forgot 500 msgs isn't really going to go very far. I think I'm just going to wait this out for a while. I suspect my "real" reason for wanting it is that I'm currently between homes and don't have my normal regular access to AIM that I usually have when my computer is hooked up and I'm on it daily (I come on WA from work). I'm going to keep watching to see what Cingular comes up with, because I figure it'll be best just to show company loyalty to my work and stick with our own brand of phones. If they end up doing something dumb like hooking up with Yahoo, I'll just bug some of my friends to get Yahoo. Besides, then I will be getting a plan anyway and just attach a large package to my plan and not feel bad about getting an "extra" phone for a stupid use. In regards to the 60/19.99. Doesn't every company have an offer like that, for basically an "Emergency Phone" that's not a Prepay? I know we offer 50 home/19.99 a month, no weekends, no promotions, just for use. If people want a "true" emergency phone, I point them to prepay, b/c they'll be paying $20 every three months (only to not expire) instead of every month, but I've found that most customers at least want to get a little bitof regular use out of their phone. P

09-30-2002, 9:56 AM	#15
Guest Posts: n/a	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? I have a question For Aim can you check just who is online in realtime, becuause if I have Aim I would like to cjust check who is online at the time. In sim,pler terms Does teh buddy list wrk like teh real buddy lists?

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Guest Posts: n/a	Prepaid AOL IM, T-mobile, Verizon??? Does nebody have this information?