Major wireless carriers all slapped with text-messaging class-action lawsuit

Text messaging rates have always been a little ridiculous, but a new class-action suit filed in Mississippi alleges that virtually every wireless carrier you can think of is basically cheating you by charging you for received texts and not allowing you to turn the service off. The suit names AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, US Cellular, Cellular South, and Virgin Mobile (surprisingly, T-Mobile didn't make the cut), and says that members of the class are entitled to relief for the unauthorized charges, wrongful collection, and unjust enrichment. Of course, this will all likely end in a useless settlement that nets subscribers like three extra text messages and a 20 percent discount on an "approved accessory," while the plaintiff's law firm banks millions, but we'll see how things go.

[(Unverified) Posted May 20th 2008 8:59PM]

What I've never understood is why carriers charge people so much for messaging. They charge $20 or $30 for unlimited internet access and email which transmits much more data that a bit of text, but then charge you the same rate for unlimited messaging. I've never understood that.

They don't need to charge that much at all. They're just gouging customers because they know how popular messaging has become and so they see it as an opportunity to milk us for all we're worth.

No one should have to pay more than $30/mo. for unlimited internet, email, AND messaging (of all kinds). That should be the trifecta. So any lawsuit that forces the carriers to rethink how they charge for messaging, (even if it doesn't fully address all of what I've mentioned here), is all right by me. Even if it fails, I'll still give them an "A" for effort.

[SpectreGadget Posted May 20th 2008 9:19PM]

I just send messages to @teleflip.com when I don't want to be charged for sending. Don't know if it works outside of the US.

But to answer everyone's comments asking "why"... It's obviously because the carriers make a boat-load of money off a very inexpensive service to run.

Think fountain drinks like colas. The syrup used per cup costs nothing, and they charge an outrageous amount for it.

It's all business. Until consumers demand together for it to change, they'll keep on doing it. Or until one carrier gets smart and realizes they can take away a large part of the market if they give consumers what they want.

[Ashex Posted May 21st 2008 2:08AM]

The reason tmobile isn't included is because you can call and request that the text option be disabled. While others don't do that.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2008 4:07PM]

This is not true. I use Verizon and have the lowest family share plan of 700 min. They charge you 25 cents for every incoming and outgoing text message. I called them and asked them to shut off texts and they did with no problems. You can have them shut off with any company. This suit will go nowhere, imo.

[dobba Posted May 24th 2008 3:59AM]

This is ridiculous.

In the UK, as you know, we don't pay for incoming calls or texts. It's like someone charging you for junk mail you don't want.

Text messaging is HUGE in the UK (and probably Europe) - MASSIVE.

In the US, until recently, it was pretty much nothing and still doesn't rival the aount of texts sent in the UK. US Telco's obviously haven't figured out that if you make it free to receive, people will send more because they know it's their doing sending them.

They call us Rip-off Britain due to us paying far more than many countries around the world (look at Petrol/Gas - six times the price of the US) but not something that seems apparent in the mobile industry.

For once, something the US seriously lags behind in, compared to the rest of the world.

[Popple3 Posted May 22nd 2008 1:25PM]

Here in Ireland, the three major networks (O2, Vodafone and Meteor) offer free texts on pre-pay on the condition that you top-up by €20 (~$30) every 30 days, and you can use this €20 for other stuff too.
O2 is the only one to offer free texts to all networks though, while Meteor and Vodafone is only to your own network.
We don't get charged for incoming calls or texts (although we get ripped off with data). I've sent around 5000 texts in the last month (yes, I am an addict), for nothing, and used the €20 on calls and data. My network charges 9c per text, so that would be €450 to send all those texts if I were paying.
I do beleive I'm getting a good deal! :D

[waywardwit Posted May 26th 2008 8:08PM]

You can block this service on Verizon. I am 100% sure. I work/worked for them.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 12th 2008 10:21PM]

Why are they including CellularSouth? We can totally turn off text messaging. You have to specially request per text.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2008 6:29PM]

Whether or not they charge for incoming texts, they are price gouging nonetheless. Messaging is pure profiteering for the carriers.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 29th 2008 6:33PM]

Why are we charged for texting at such a high rate. IE att 20 cents for each text or $30 for unlimited texting?? That should be added to the issue.