International texting, using data

[iluvifone]

I live in Canada, and I often find myself texting friends overseas (Europe, Asia). All of my carriers' plans are ripoffs, so i'm looking to see if there is a free alternative.

I am using an iPhone 4, jailbroken ios 4.2.1. My plan includes 6gb data + 2500 texts (Canada only). Each international text is like 40 cents or whatever.

I tried searching these forums and google, but it's so hard to narrow down your search when all you get are these small apps that offer free texting, but to the US only.

My only requirements are that it IS possible to send from Canada to Europe, using data or whatnot, just so I dont get extra charges from my carrier.

Also, i'm only looking at apps that send text msgs with MY number. I don't want my friends getting texts from a crazy 1800-123456789 number. Most of my friends also don't have smartphones, so I won't be able to use anything like Whats app, etc.

Anyone?

 

[iApples]

You could always try one of those texting apps. I also live in Canada and I use TextFree to text to the US for free. It just uses data. You won't be able to get this App as you will have to download it from the U.S. app store and then have a U.S. iTunes account to be able to use it. I know theres a bunch more so you could always just check them out.

 

[heisenberg123]

whatsapp uses data but the other person also needs the app it's available on blackberry and androids as well as iPhone if your jailbroken bitesms has credits that you cam buy for long distance texting that are claimed to be cheaper than carrier charges

 

[Grimsrud]

I use an app called FishText to send messages to Europe. I paid £15 to rent a virtual UK mobile number for a year, but I do think that it can send with your number too. I've heard that it has problems using an AT&T number as the sender, but a Canadian number may be fine. Sending a message to the UK only costs me .04 USD (other countries are less. some are more), and all incoming messages are free.

 

[acfusion29]

You could always try one of those texting apps. I also live in Canada and I use TextFree to text to the US for free. It just uses data. You won't be able to get this App as you will have to download it from the U.S. app store and then have a U.S. iTunes account to be able to use it. I know theres a bunch more so you could always just check them out.

making a U.S. app store account is easy, i've done it before for some apps.

 

[iApples]

making a U.S. app store account is easy, i've done it before for some apps.

Yeah that's true. So he could do this then, and his problem is solved.

 

[iluvifone]

whatsapp uses data but the other person also needs the app it's available on blackberry and androids as well as iPhone

yaeh, most of my friends have dumbphones

if your jailbroken bitesms has credits that you cam buy for long distance texting that are claimed to be cheaper than carrier charges

yeah i know about those, thanks.. i was looking for a free option if available

Sending a message to the UK only costs me .04 USD (other countries are less. some are more), and all incoming messages are free.

Yeah it's 35 or 40 cents here per text, but incoming is free.

You could always try one of those texting apps. I also live in Canada and I use TextFree to text to the US for free.

Yeah it's only to the US. not europe.

 

[wordoflife]

What about Skype? It's not free, but it might be cheaper.
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/prices/sms-rates/#viewAllRates