Per message charge for using Instant Messaging?

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taxenqs@yahoo.com - 25 Jul 2008 14:44 GMT

Is AT&T Wireless charging $0.20 per message for using the AOL Instant
Messenger and Microsoft Live Messenger programs (included on the
Samsung Blackjack2) for users on a unlimited PDA plan?
I thought these programs use internet protocols (not SMS/EMS), and
were free if you had a unlimited internet access plan.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/messaging-internet/messaging/faq.jsp#general-im

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4phun - 25 Jul 2008 14:54 GMT

On Jul 25, 9:44 am, taxe...@yahoo.com wrote:

> Is AT&T Wireless charging $0.20 per message for using the AOL Instant
> Messenger and Microsoft Live Messenger programs (included on the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/messaging-internet/messaging/faq.js...

AOL use is free on the iPhone so it must be free on the BB.

SMS is $0.20 per meeage if not bought in bulk on the iPhone too.

AOL uses the unlimited Internet data plan to send and receive on the
iPhone so there is no SMS charge.

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Jeffrey Kaplan - 25 Jul 2008 17:43 GMT

Previously on alt.cellular.attws, taxenqs@yahoo.com said:

It looks to me like that is for "dumb phones" (ie, not a Palm, WinMob,
BB, iPhone). These that have an AIM feature do so by gating through
AT&T's txt service.

If you use a "smart phone" (ie, a Palm, WinMob, BB, iPhone) and install
an AIM client yourself, it will use your regular data plan and you will
only be "charged" for internet usage, not messaging usage.

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taxenqs@yahoo.com - 26 Jul 2008 01:54 GMT

> Previously on alt.cellular.attws, taxe...@yahoo.com said:
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> an AIM client yourself, it will use your regular data plan and you will
> only be "charged" for internet usage, not messaging usage.

Yes,

I think the AOL, MS and Yahoo Messenger programs on the BJ2 are
specially rigged by AT&T to trigger the Text/IM counter i.e. "AT&T
offers a service compatible to AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and Yahoo!
Messenger, and Windows Live Messenger."
If you pay additional for a text messaging plan (e.g. their "MEdia
Bundle"), you can avoid the $0.20 per instant message charge when you
use AT&T's rigged programs.
But you will still incur "data charges per kb of usage".

So, it looks like you will need a internet data plan too (e.g. PDA
plan, MEdia Net, etc.) to avoid the per kb usage charge when instant
messaging.

Anyone know of a good 3rd-party Instant Messaging program that is not
rigged by AT&T that will run on the Blackjack2?

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Todd Allcock - 26 Jul 2008 03:54 GMT

> I think the AOL, MS and Yahoo Messenger programs on the BJ2 are
> specially rigged by AT&T to trigger the Text/IM counter i.e. "AT&T
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Anyone know of a good 3rd-party Instant Messaging program that is not
> rigged by AT&T that will run on the Blackjack2?

Give Fring, from fring.com, a try. Alternatively, Gimzo5 from gizmo5.com
handles the various popular IM services, but the WinMo version's for
touchscreen devices. The generic Java version ought to work, or you can
use their WAP-based IM page at www.gizmo5.com

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