FaceTime uses international SMS??

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94 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#360755 31-Jul-2010 19:11

Why would the registration number (if regionalised) be hard coded into the phone rather than provided in firmware/software? Because at time of iTunes activation it should know that I am 1) in New Zealand and 2) using a Vodafone NZ SIM card.

It could be, that the carrier bundle on your device, has the entry:

<key>PhoneNumberRegistrationGatewayAddress</key>
<string>00447786205094</string>

Which might explain that 0044 registration number.

LennonNZ

2459 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#360762 31-Jul-2010 19:27

ok.. I downloaded the latest ipcc file for NZ for the iPhone. (This is the settings file)

http://appldnld.apple.com/iPhone/CarrierBundles/061-8664.20100716.Mpr4T/Vodafone_nz.ipcc

this is version 7.1

and it has..

PhoneNumberRegistrationGatewayAddress
+447786205094

so yes...
a NZ iPhone Will call a UK Number for facetime registration

maybe not a lot of money but may do this without the user being aware of it (and cause cost to the user).

ahmad

1937 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#360766 31-Jul-2010 19:37

There is a warning (as per screenshot above) but it isn't something warned about before purchase and may happen every time FaceTime requires resetting settings.

If there is no way for that GatewayAddress to be a NZ number and possibly covered in Vodafone NZ TXT bundles then fine (I guess) but if it is possible to do it why not?

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#360833 31-Jul-2010 22:03

ahmad: Sure, 20c on a $1299 device being marketed is nothing but it should be disclosed all the same - not just after you buy the phone and come to use it.

And it seems that it could be 20c per reset of the FaceTime setting (which some may have to do as part of FaceTime troubleshooting). They may not be aware of the 20c/reset charge (this is presuming I am correct in my guess that a new TXT is sent per reset of this setting.

If I was in the UK I guess I wouldn't notice it as it would come bundled in the included plan TXTs.

Never received a warning on Vodafone but I world not care for 20c to enable it. Would cost you more to complain !
Move on

ahmad

1937 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#360855 31-Jul-2010 22:38

MattD:
ahmad: Sure, 20c on a $1299 device being marketed is nothing but it should be disclosed all the same - not just after you buy the phone and come to use it.

And it seems that it could be 20c per reset of the FaceTime setting (which some may have to do as part of FaceTime troubleshooting). They may not be aware of the 20c/reset charge (this is presuming I am correct in my guess that a new TXT is sent per reset of this setting.

If I was in the UK I guess I wouldn't notice it as it would come bundled in the included plan TXTs.

Never received a warning on Vodafone but I world not care for 20c to enable it. Would cost you more to complain !
Move on

Why do so many people only care about themselves? I don't mean that as a personal attack and it is not directed at you personally but I see it here all the time.

I post this up because it affects others that may not realise it, and they may potentially be pinged multiple times if they have issues with FaceTime and need to troubleshoot.

Same story with the Slingshot complaint I have put forward for early investigation by the Commerce Commission. People were encouraged to contact the Commission to help the cause (for others) even if they themselves had had their issues resolved. Some have simply acknowledged that they had issues, not contacted the Commission, and ask you suggest "moved on".

The issue here is the principle and people being affected through no fault of their own.

Yes it's a minor issue, but I'm sure that Apple and Vodafone will at least have a passing interest.

And I've already said, I don't really care about the 20c.

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#360888 1-Aug-2010 00:40

Ahmad my apologies if came across as criticism to you, as it is good to share more information to have people informed. Not sure if I agree that it worthy of commerce commission notification or intervention?

stagnant16

206 posts

Master Geek

#360894 1-Aug-2010 00:58

MattD: Ahmad my apologies if came across as criticism to you, as it is good to share more information to have people informed. Not sure if I agree that it worthy of commerce commission notification or intervention?

Number of Iphones sold x .20 can add up after a while! I'm sure it will be rectified, but shouldn't be happening!

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digitaldivide

94 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#360921 1-Aug-2010 08:42

Vodafone NZ may have banked off Vodafone HQ for some iPhone settings.

Or there might be a limited number of FaceTime gateways and UK is one of them.

Or there might be Lawful Intercept requirement to meet that Apple, in some form, achieves via a real-time Enabled/Disabled notification.

Or it could be so your iTunes account knows you have registered with FaceTime which saves you needing to tell iTunes via a USB cable synch.

ahmad

1937 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#360946 1-Aug-2010 10:17

MattD: Ahmad my apologies if came across as criticism to you, as it is good to share more information to have people informed. Not sure if I agree that it worthy of commerce commission notification or intervention?

No it is not worthy. I never said it was?

For the sake of clarity: no one is suggesting this is a ase needing Com
Com investigation. I simply referred to the Slingshot case where people have had issues resolved but for some reason don't want to aid others less fortunate in getting a resolution.

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#360975 1-Aug-2010 11:28

I am interested to know as well as I did not receive the warning and got charged

ChrnoXIII

167 posts

Master Geek

#360994 1-Aug-2010 12:44

i agree with ahmad, i have looked on my statement on vodafone and yea i have been charged 0.17c for activating facetime - im not complaining but its there and perhaps there should have been something written somewhere on vodafone promotional material?

speaking of which... i've been charged 0.17c EVERY SINGLE TIME i accidentally push voicemail, has anyone else found this problem on the iphone? press keypad, only to accidentally press voicemail... whooops...

ChrnoXIII

167 posts

Master Geek

#360998 1-Aug-2010 13:06

sorry for double posting but another question. how does facetime work? can you activate it WITHOUT connecting a voice call? Senario: call my friend in UK using facetime but NOT accruing charges for international calling?

there is an option in contacts that says "facetime" i wonder if it dials the number first or switches immediately to facetime chat?

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#361008 1-Aug-2010 13:22

ChrnoXIII: i have looked on my statement on vodafone and yea i have been charged 0.17c for activating facetime

I have two entries for that number...
- when activating phone for first time.
- later that day when activating facetime

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#361009 1-Aug-2010 13:28

ChrnoXIII: sorry for double posting but another question. how does facetime work? can you activate it WITHOUT connecting a voice call? Senario: call my friend in UK using facetime but NOT accruing charges for international calling?

there is an option in contacts that says "facetime" i wonder if it dials the number first or switches immediately to facetime chat?

You don’t need to initiate a FaceTime call using a voice call. You can start the call using FaceTime directly, in which case the entire process takes place over IP networking

ChrnoXIII

167 posts

Master Geek

#361016 1-Aug-2010 13:57

hm... well at the moment, i have only 1 entry for the weird facetime number.

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