Fido (and Rogers) raise SMS rates to the USA by 66% from 15 cents to 25 cents

Submitted by Roland on Fri, 2008-06-13 19:31

The ongoing Fido (and Rogers) r*poff continues. The math: 0.10/0.15 = 66.67%. In a world where every other form of electronic messaging is decreasing in price, Rogers and Fido continue to raise their messaging prices. Needless to say the knock on effect for businesses and innovation and Canada is a net negative. I h*te SMS but it's essential for today's real time business and this is a tax by a member of the Canadian bandwidth oligopoly on businesses and consumers.

From Options you can add:

QUOTE

U.S. TEXT MESSAGING RATE CHANGE

Please note that effective July 15, 2008, the rate for sending a text message from Canada to the United States is changing to $0.25 (from $0.15). This change also applies to Text messaging options and certain Value packs, as text messages sent to the United States will no longer be included in the options. Pricing does not include applicable taxes.

Visit fido.ca/text for text messaging rates and other important information.

...

International text message Options

25 international text messages $4

50 international text messages $7

END QUOTE

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Comments

Jana (not verified)

Wed, 2008-07-16 07:42

Previously text messages to the States were included as part of domestic text message plans. With the increase in the rate from $0.15 to $0.25 for international messges, Rogers also took the opportunity to remove messages to the States from current texting plans. As a comparison, both Bell and Telus still offer this.

They are increasing revenue by increasing their price point and by reducing what qualifies for their wireless essentials add ons. 

My major issue is that Rogers is reducing their service and has offered no comparable replacement plan for texting to the States. We get stuck with $7 for 50 messages. Given that basic plans in the States start with 400 messages for $5 (and include messaging to Canada) I'm not sure how this can be considered reasonable or even customer friendly.

 

Roland

Wed, 2008-07-16 08:11

yup the invisible maginot line betwen the USA and Canada strikes again :-(

goodness knows it costs them so much more to send Texts to the US, NOT

Anonymous (not verified)

Tue, 2008-08-26 20:13

I was on a value pack and I didn't even get the message that they were increasing the price of txts to the US and suddenly I see the charges on my bill this month.  It's SOOOO unfair.  25 cents a txt seems like WAY WAY WAY too much given that i'm closer to my friend in New York living in Toronto than I am to someone in Vancouver but it's cheaper to txt my friend in Vancouver!  How does that make any sense at all?? I can't believe that Fido is getting away with this...something has to be done....

Fido subscriber (not verified)

Sat, 2008-09-27 02:04

Folks, I also agree with you all on this. I myself have friends and family in the US, Canada, and overseas! I still remember when all text messaging used to have one rate, whether it was domestic or international!

I have seen some people carry around 2 phones now, one for their calls and one for text messaging. I think we may need to start doing that if going with another carrier for their text messaging services will come out cheaper for the us. Of course, this will depend on the user's consumption.

Well, just a thought.

Anonymous (not verified)

Fri, 2009-08-14 10:51

I love the comments you guys put. Its pretty stupid how they are doing this but have any of you researched if its cheaper to go with other providers? cause im on an unlimited text with low minutes though but its not costin me much. The international rule is pretty stupid as well but life is money i guess... peace

 

 

Anonymous (not verified)

Sat, 2010-11-27 18:17

Hi,

Fido just started to charge me something that i was never charged for before. They altered my contract with them without my consent and now i have new charges.

Here is more about it:

https://sites.google.com/site/askvladcom/consumer-beware/fido-sms

 

 

Roland

Fri, 2010-12-10 14:38

ah yeah fido not good :-(

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