International texting package available!

[Artemis68]

When you log onto T-Mobile and go under "Services" to see available single-line services, there's a new package available. It's for unlimited domestic and international texting, and costs $15 a month.

I just got it. I'll be able to make use of it. It only added $5 a month to my bill but I think it's worth it because now I can text people who I couldn't text before because of worry about the bill. Now, no more worries!

I got rid of my combined data/text package, so now data is 24.99 for me and the texting is $15. The package includes unlimited domestic sms/mms and unlimited international sms (not mms though - i don't really care) and this is to all countries, not just mexico.

Pretty neat!

Just wanted to let you guys know of this. It says "limited time offer" but I don't know how true that is.

[freethisberrydotcom]

Sounds pretty good.. Wish some of the carrier in Canada stepped up and added this for that price.

[Artemis68]

Yeah the only carriers I've heard of deals like this or better are SimpleMobile (small company that runs off of t-mobile's network, includes free international texting), and MetroPCS.

I don't know why T-Mobile released such a deal so quietly. If you really do use international texting, it's a STEAL.

[Karmaloop]

Hmm, is this coming as a family texting plan anytime soon?

[Artemis68]

I heard that there may be a $30 option for families which will cover up to 5 lines. I have no clue - can't check because I'm not on a family plan. :P

[Artemis68]

Okay, so far I can see this...

on NEW plans (EM/EM+) which are talk/text/web...you can add international text to family plans for $10 a month. For individuals, it's $5.

I don't know what it is for older family plans. I know for mine, it's $15 but I ended up paying the same difference - just $5 more a month.

[eluth]

Are you referring to this option?

Unlimited International Texting for Individuals
Send and receive unlimited international texts while you're in the US. A Talk + Text or Talk + Text + Web plan is required. (Text messages only?other types of international messages, like picture messages, are charged per message.) $5.00

While it might be of interest to certain people, I think it i just a continuation of T-Mobile's rip-off on SMS! While I like T-Mobile for a lot of thing, I must say their SMS rates are outrageous: when I started with them, pay-per-use SMS where 10c, now they are 20c... forcing customer to buy big buckets, while prepaid MVNO have domestic and international SMS at 5c or less (pay-per-use).

OK, so without that $5 option:

• receiving SMS are taken out of your bucket or 20c each,
• your domestic SMS are taken out of your bucket or 20c each,
• your international SMS while you are in the US are 20c, and not taken from your bucket,
• your SMS while you are roaming outside of the US are 35c,

With the $5 option:

• receiving SMS are taken out of your bucket or 20c each,
• your domestic SMS are taken out of your bucket or 20c each,
  
• your international SMS while you are in the US are taken from your bucket, but you are only saving any $ starting your 26th SMS!!!
• your SMS while you are roaming outside of the US are 35c,

Honestly, when I use most international SMS, is when I'm travelling outside of the US, not when I'm here!
I would have been interesting if T-mobile had a worldwide option for this...
Now I'm just waiting for Google Voice to resume their international SMS as pay-per-use...

--eluth.

[Artemis68]

Yeah that's the option I'm referring to. On older plans, it's $15.

I agree, it's not of much good unless you actually plan to utilize it, which I am going to do. I'm going to be sending a lot more than 26 SMS...actually, I think I may have already exceeded that just tonight. :P

I have no idea how it will affect traveling. Can you text back home (without being on UMA) and not get charged? I have no clue. It's not SUPPOSED to be supported but it may be.

[eluth]

Artemis68,

I think you are right about UMA.
Since UMA calls are considered placed from the USA, so should UMA SMS.
However, I never tried.

I revolted from the T-Mobile SMS and moved to Google Voice and their very nice SMS-to-email solution. Free worldwide for me, just too bad it only works between US/CA numbers at present time.

--eluth.

[Artemis68]

I have done SMS via UMA while overseas and yes, it's considered "domestic usage" so I wasn't charged anything.

If Google Voice supported international texting, I'd be over there in an instant because it would be free to send. Unfortunately, they don't support it.

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