Text messages cost more than sending postcards!


The going rate for a text message is now $0.20, up from $0.05 a year or so ago, a puzzling increase given that every underlying component of communications technology has become cheaper over that time. Given that a text message is billed both for sending and receiving (which should be criminal) this means that it costs a total of $0.40 to complete a text message between parties. It would be cheaper to buy a postcard, print out that message on the postcard, and then have the USPS physically carry that postcard 3000 miles across the country and deliver it right to somebody’s doorstep.

OMGWTF?!?


2 responses to “Text messages cost more than sending postcards!”

  1. Sick, sick, sick. When I noticed that they’d started charging $0.20 (which they didn’t apparently need to warn me about) I called and had them block text on my phone. I guess it’s obnoxious for those who have a little morsel they don’t want to have to say out loud, or something, but I can’t think of any other service in which you don’t choose your own spending. (Though I can’t wait to hear what you can think of…)

  2. I have text messages blocked, too. I feel bad if people try to send me text messages, because I don’t know what happens or if they get charged for it. Given that phones now have push e-mail, there’s really no reason for text messages. You know, I can’t think of any other service that is so crass as to make you buy things without asking. Oh, wait, I can think of two: Government and The Columbia Records CD of the Month Club. Thanks for the setup, Mere.

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