FaceTime uses international SMS??

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94 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#361026 1-Aug-2010 14:25

Apple do not seem to have thought of a way of automating the activation the FaceTime service.

Perhaps they have licenced some of the technology (or some similar arrangement unrelated to handset activations) - and the manual activation process is the result of that.

iPhone 4 sends a "silent text message" (ie a text you don't know about), to Apple, that registers your telephone number on the Apple server/s used for Facetime. Apple then returns a "silent coded text" to your phone, that activates the software within OSI.

And it looks like some telcos are not delivering that SMS back to the iPhone. The "return path" for that SMS message from Apple to the phone is being reported problematic on Cyrpus MTN and Dubai Etisalat. Other networks, such as Brazil Claro (America Movil), the SMS is received with "hash errors".

So, I'm guessing that if you are Not a Vodafone customer, depending on your network provider, FaceTime activation is dependent on the SMS being recieved - so anyone retrying this activity, depending where they are, might be getting re-occuring SMS charges.

ahmad

1937 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#361133 1-Aug-2010 18:25

Here is the Vodafone promotional material for what it is worth:

I see nothing on there or on the Apple website promoting FaceTime about the charges.

** Once again I am not complaining about 20c. I simply want to raise the issue of the hidden charge to see if the process might be able to be improved perhaps with a local SMS server for Apple, or zero-rated SMS to this +44 number.

It is not simply about 20c - if you have problems with FaceTime you are instructed in Apple help files to turn it off and back on. If my logical deductions are correct, then you will be charged every time you have to reset FaceTime in this fashion.

Dear Paul Brislen - just to confirm that I used FaceTime multiple times yesterday (both incoming and outgoing calls) and was not charged for any subsequent TXTs. Just the 2 I talked about yesterday. The Vodafone iPhone help desk query has now been closed (and thanks to the CSR I spoke to there who has been fully professional in all dealings).

ALTRON

577 posts

Ultimate Geek

#361156 1-Aug-2010 19:14

Any XT users having issues activating facetime?

ahmad

1937 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#361157 1-Aug-2010 19:18

ALTRON: Any XT users having issues activating facetime?

Known issue, and apparently Telecom are working to resolve it:

http://www.iphonewzealand.co.nz/2010/all/iphone-4-facetime-not-working-on-xt/

Hope that helps, sorry couldn't be more useful.

BigDave

115 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#371374 23-Aug-2010 10:12

Just remember guys it is not a Carrier issue, the application is the initiator of the SMS to the UK number, there are 2 things that could happen from a carrier perspective..

a) The SMS could be hidden/0 rated
b) The SMS is left as is.

Currently it would appear the b) is in effect, this could be for a variety of reasons which I wont speculate on. Simply though if you don't want to see these charges on your bill you can diasable facetime.

I believe these messages will be triggered by:

* Software Updates/Roll Backs
* Flicking the switch on the Sametime button off and on

My views are mine and don't necessarily reflect that of my employer.

wycip

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#380511 16-Sep-2010 09:39

The issue here is the principle. Vodafone is simply ripping us AGAIN. I would like to share my experience with you guys.

I had replaced my iphone 4 twice in 3 weeks, every time I have the new iphone setup I get charge for the 0044 face time international sms.

Rang the vodafone customers center yesterday regarding to international sms. The rep first accused me that I or someone have access to my phone must sent the sms to someone in UK (typical customer service - put the blame on the customers) and then they transferred my call to Vodafone iPhone support and this time the rep told me that the international sms is sent from my iphone to activate face time so I am responsible for the cost which includes every time I reset my phone ie updating the IOS, restoring the IOS or getting a replacement phone. All the rep and her supervisor did was try to brush me away and pay whatever shows up on my bill, thus I requested their postal address to file a formal complaint. Then they offered me to talk to Apple myself.

They transferred my call to Apple (I assume is Aus Apple). They were so helpful and their head of iphone tech support department told me that the face time feature which is implemented with the iphone4, Apple would not charge their their customers every time if they have to restore their phone. He said the exclusive carriers of iphone 4 (in this case vodafone NZ) should waive all the cost when customer activate their face time. I was given a case number as reference to waive all these face time sms in the future. Although this is not my ideal solution - Vodafone should automatic waive the cost with those number for every one of us!

Shame on you Vodafone !!!!! - ONCE AGAIN RIPOFF!!!!!!

I am thinking to write to Apple and let them how their exclusive carrier in NZ look after their iphone customers.

Although 20 cents is no big deal for most iphone 4 users but when you imagine how many iphone 4 they will sell in NZ and how many times people may update or restore their phone plus warranty replacement in the future. At least I was not told and see anything related this face time charge when I sign up my contract and I know there are so many kiwis can't be bother

The shameless NZ telco instead of competing with each other they seems to work together to rip us off. They are sending us backward when you compare their home internet and mobile devices service charges to the rest of the world. The cost of communication is just way too high for average household with 1 landline + 1 internet connection with 20GB to 40GB cap (not to mention that telecom just axed their big time - thank you very much Mr Paul Reynolds) + may 2 mobiles.

I wish more kiwis will stand up and fight.

th3r3turn

258 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#380540 16-Sep-2010 10:19

wycip: The issue here is the principle. Vodafone is simply ripping us AGAIN. I would like to share my experience with you guys.

I had replaced my iphone 4 twice in 3 weeks, every time I have the new iphone setup I get charge for the 0044 face time international sms.

Rang the vodafone customers center yesterday regarding to international sms. The rep first accused me that I or someone have access to my phone must sent the sms to someone in UK (typical customer service - put the blame on the customers) and then they transferred my call to Vodafone iPhone support and this time the rep told me that the international sms is sent from my iphone to activate face time so I am responsible for the cost which includes every time I reset my phone ie updating the IOS, restoring the IOS or getting a replacement phone. All the rep and her supervisor did was try to brush me away and pay whatever shows up on my bill, thus I requested their postal address to file a formal complaint. Then they offered me to talk to Apple myself.

They transferred my call to Apple (I assume is Aus Apple). They were so helpful and their head of iphone tech support department told me that the face time feature which is implemented with the iphone4, Apple would not charge their their customers every time if they have to restore their phone. He said the exclusive carriers of iphone 4 (in this case vodafone NZ) should waive all the cost when customer activate their face time. I was given a case number as reference to waive all these face time sms in the future. Although this is not my ideal solution - Vodafone should automatic waive the cost with those number for every one of us!

Shame on you Vodafone !!!!! - ONCE AGAIN RIPOFF!!!!!!

I am thinking to write to Apple and let them how their exclusive carrier in NZ look after their iphone customers.

Although 20 cents is no big deal for most iphone 4 users but when you imagine how many iphone 4 they will sell in NZ and how many times people may update or restore their phone plus warranty replacement in the future. At least I was not told and see anything related this face time charge when I sign up my contract and I know there are so many kiwis can't be bother

The shameless NZ telco instead of competing with each other they seems to work together to rip us off. They are sending us backward when you compare their home internet and mobile devices service charges to the rest of the world. The cost of communication is just way too high for average household with 1 landline + 1 internet connection with 20GB to 40GB cap (not to mention that telecom just axed their big time - thank you very much Mr Paul Reynolds) + may 2 mobiles.

I wish more kiwis will stand up and fight.

there is a point in there somewhere imho, why should we be paying money to activate something, when i can be done over the web!

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ahmad

1937 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#380590 16-Sep-2010 12:13

When I stood up to fight, I was told by the official Vodafone Twitter "It's 20c", then was hyperlinked to a music video "If you don't want an iPhone 4, don't buy it".

wycip

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#380626 16-Sep-2010 13:19

May be we should consider taking these charges to consumer tribunal and forward all the responds form Vodafone nz to Steve jobs.

ahmad

1937 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#380629 16-Sep-2010 13:21

Paul says it's Steve's problem (probably valid). Steve doesn't respond.

Same old Vodafone and Apple vs. their customers communication breakdown.

VFNZPaulBrislen

970 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#380640 16-Sep-2010 13:39

This is an Apple service, not a Vodafone service. We don't control it.

When you're setting up the FaceTime service (which uses wifi) it has nothing to do with the 3G network carrier.

If you have an issue with the activation TXT that's something you need to take up with the service provider.

It's the service which requires you to send the TXT, not Vodafone. Talk to the service provider.

Cheers

Paul

Paul Brislen
Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

astubbs

18 posts

Geek

#380645 16-Sep-2010 13:44

PaulBrislen: This is an Apple service, not a Vodafone service. We don't control it.

When you're setting up the FaceTime service (which uses wifi) it has nothing to do with the 3G network carrier.

If you have an issue with the activation TXT that's something you need to take up with the service provider.

It's the service which requires you to send the TXT, not Vodafone. Talk to the service provider.

Cheers

Paul

Thanks for the proper response.

This should be your standard response, not crap like "if you don't want one don't buy one". You should disciplin the twitter rep.

VFNZPaulBrislen

970 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#380646 16-Sep-2010 13:46

I am the twitter rep. ;-)

I think you'll find that the song linked to was played by Apple at the Apple announcement...

Cheers

Paul

Paul Brislen
Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

astubbs

18 posts

Geek

#380647 16-Sep-2010 13:51

PaulBrislen: I am the twitter rep. ;-)

Lol, then you know what you must do! ;)

I think you'll find that the song linked to was played by Apple at the Apple announcement...

Cheers

Paul

Yeah I know, but the also said a lot of other things. I really think just simply linking to it, without a profesional explanation is pretty amateur. Especially since there's been so much anger over how Vodafone handled customers with the launch.

VFNZPaulBrislen

970 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#380651 16-Sep-2010 13:57

I can't comment on the launch so I'll stop right now.

Paul Brislen
Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

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