Have Vodafone/Telecom simply not blocked everyone other than their 'partners'?
Why is it not easy to set up web portal and under reasonable conditions (no spam/registration records etc.), have access to the local sms network like ICQ used to???
Surely opening up the netowrk like this would encourage more data in (no money in it but also, alot more bill able data out....) especially if they allowed non bill able sms delivery to only local network numbers. .. wot do they say...?
Further that - if users could send and receive SMS via GPRS (20c a message is daylight robbery!!), then any incoming message data from a web portal would generate revenue
The telcos may have a duopoly on mobile infrastructure .. but surely they realise, if services and billing are not customer focused - it's a loose loose...
Yeah... why doesn't the ICQ work... i guess VF have blocked it... would fit in with their other 'business' practices.
20c a message really is daylight robbery.
I worked it out a while ago...
Unlimited dial up is basically free per MB of data.
Broadband works out to about 0.5c per MB of data (20c if you go over the limit).
GPRS is $10 per MB
TXT works out to be:
(160 characters x 8 bits) = ~1.3Kb - 1 Text
1MB = 1000/(1.3/8) = ~6150 Texts
6150 x $0.2 = $1230
As a comparison... internet 10 years ago ONLY cost $50 per MB.
Cause if text were sent over GPRS they would still be charged the text sending rate not for the size of the text, The GPRS will on pass on the information to the SMSC
which is why the only way not to get robbed by Vodafone is to use a web based message server via ur WAP connection. I'm going to try ICQ and some others I found when I get home - will let u know if I have any joy :)
this will ofcourse require that my girlfriend and other immediate contacts use the same service via PC or mobile.. which is a pain but the savings tranlsate to a couple of cases of Hollandia a week!
I couldn't find anything tht would work on Vodafone NZ.. any luk?
It seems Telecom is getting it sorted and in most of the developed world, WEB based SMS services are accessible via WAP. Some WEB based SMS services are able to access various SMSC's- like ICQ used to. Fantastic - affordable access to your message service from home or on the go - without having to buy a fancy new mobile.
But Vodafone NZ don't 'partner' with anyone - they don't let anyone access there SMSC's or even offer WAP based message service themselves or via a 'partner'. This appears to be anti competitive behaviour by Vodafone NZ which is designed to extract as much revenue from the consumer while restricting services - an issue for the commerce commission I would say
thnx for reading my rants - I'm going to a Telecom shop - never thought I'd say that!
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