No more free incoming texts with Bell, Telus

Bell Mobility and Telus Pay and Talk, you’ll notice that under text messaging, it says “incoming messages are free.” It looks like we’re going to have to change that sometime next month. Both Canadian CDMA giants will begin charging for incoming text messages in August. This, of course, comes as an outrage to folks who are plenty used to their free incoming texts. Though it’s not a perfect measure, the duo have essentially doubled text messaging rates for their customers. Bell and Telus both say that this was a necessary maneuver, considering the volume of text messages they see monthly. More likely, though, is that their executives saw an opportunity to increase revenue, and jumped on it. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. However, from all accounts I’ve heard, text messaging costs a carrier a negligible amount. So to say that they’re covering their costs by charging 15 cents for incoming messages seems a specious argument.

“We are simply aligning ourselves with market realities,” [Bell spokesperson Jason] Laszlo wrote in an email to the Globe and Mail.

Yes, market realities. As in, if we can make money off something, we will make money off something. Once again, this is not demonizing either company. It’s just a little ribbing for not being completely forthright with their reasons for this new charge. The report from CTV says that this will not affect customers with text messaging bundles. However, one has to figure that incoming messages will be deducted from said bundle. That’s not confirmed. Just a logical assessment. Bell customers, your doomsday is August 8. Telus customers get a 16-day reprieve, as they start getting charged on the 24th.]]>