(Article:) Texting/SMS alternatives extremely popular

[ThatsMeRight]

I just read this on BGR: http://www.bgr.com/2012/08/16/sms-market-analysis-revenue-whatsapp/.

It's an article about how carriers in the Netherlands used to overcharge text messages and maintained a minimum of 90% profit margins, and that nowadays Dutch carriers are having trouble to make profit on text messages. Why? Because everyone started to use an alternative: Whatsapp. You basically use your internet connection to text.

What are your thoughts on this? And do you already use texting alternatives?

 

[MacDawg]

iMessage

 

[profets]

I just read this on BGR: http://www.bgr.com/2012/08/16/sms-market-analysis-revenue-whatsapp/.

It's an article about how carriers in the Netherlands used to overcharge text messages with profit margins of at least 90%, and that nowadays Dutch carriers are having trouble to make profit on text messages. Why? Because everyone started to use an alternative: Whatsapp. You basically use your internet connection to text.

What are your thoughts on this? And do you already use texting alternatives?

90% profit margin on SMS? That seems low considering the cost for it is nearly $0.

But can't be surprised, if the charge for it is more than people are willing to pay, and there's a sort of alternative that's free, then it's an easy guess what can happen.

Also, I use iMessage and SMS. I really couldn't care for whatsapp or other services like that. I dislike having to rely on other people using the service as well. SMS/iMessage for messaging, and Email for anything else.

 

[617aircav]

Google voice covers all the bases. Text any cell phone, no matter the brand.

 

[mattopotamus]

I use unlimited text and if people have imessage it pulls from that. I guess I could change plans, but I get a 25% discount so I don't think it would make that big of a difference

 

[617aircav]

I use unlimited text and if people have imessage it pulls from that. I guess I could change plans, but I get a 25% discount so I don't think it would make that big of a difference

I save $240 a year by not having a plan.

 

[mattopotamus]

I save $240 a year by not having a plan.

How does google voice work? Is it free?

 

[profets]

I save $240 a year by not having a plan.

$240/year for SMS? Geez. Is that the $20 AT&T option? No wonder people are trying to find alternatives.

 

[Want300]

I use unlimited text and if people have imessage it pulls from that. I guess I could change plans, but I get a 25% discount so I don't think it would make that big of a difference

What carrier do you use?

----------

$240/year for SMS? Geez. Is that the $20 AT&T option? No wonder people are trying to find alternatives.

Yea, AT&T has either $20 unlimited or pay per text (incoming and outgoing)... They changed it when iMessage came out. If i had full understood iMessage at first, I would have lowered my plan before they caught on.

 

[mattopotamus]

What carrier do you use?

att

 

[Zaft]

Majority of people i text are on imessage. Not that it really matters to me seeing as i have unlimited text anyway. But imessage is faster and has some nice add ons.

 

[Want300]

att

For us now... its either $20 for unlimited, or pay as you go... at $0.20 per text (incoming and outgoing)... so u would have to use less than 100 regular SMS messages.

ADDITIONAL: which is a bummer.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Still have a family texting plan as we communicate a lot with others who don't have iOS devices.

 

[617aircav]

How does google voice work? Is it free?

Yes it's free. Google voice SMS works over the data plan.

 

[sviato]

I iMessage the 5-6 people I regularly talk to who have iPhones and regularly text everyone else A LOT. Usually send 500-1500 texts a month so not ready to give up my texting plan yet