Instant messaging counts as text messaging?

[mayhemill]

So I have the 400 text plan, so I've been using gchat with my friends, but then I heard it counts as using texting anyways. Is that true? If it is, then could I just use the web browser, and use some internet service that does texting such as going to t-mobiles website and sending a text from there?

 

[indubitably]

all of the services should be under the data plan not your sms one

 

[koffi]

I would assume since it needs an internet connection to use these programs, that they would be data plan. But a call to t-mobile will be your only absolute answer

 

[pestilence]

all of the services should be under the data plan not your sms one

Yes, they should, but they are not.

http://www.androidforums.com/showthread.php?t=654

 

[krstofer]

Yes, AIM counts towards SMS, not Data. It's been that way for a while with tmobile. It sux that they are not clear on that and most people would, rightfully so, assume AIM or other IM would be Data not SMS.

 

[punkzanyj]

I recall it being clearly stated in several places that any NON-Google Talk IM goes against your SMS allotment. Doesn't matter if you've got unlimited Text, but if you've got the 400 plan, you should watch it. The reason they cite is that those other IM services utilize the SMS channel, whereas Gtalk doesn't.
You could always go to a website like meebo and just use their interface.

 

[krstofer]

Oh, I'm not sure about the G1, I remember not knowing about it before I got this. Of course, when I had my sidekick, I also had the unlimited plan so it didn't matter then anyway.

 

[noderat]

GTalk is data, everything else is a SMS. Feel free to use google talk all you want.

 

[mguthrie]

It isnt just TMo that counts ims as text. ATT does too.

 

[killer3160]

I recall it being clearly stated in several places that any NON-Google Talk IM goes against your SMS allotment. Doesn't matter if you've got unlimited Text, but if you've got the 400 plan, you should watch it. The reason they cite is that those other IM services utilize the SMS channel, whereas Gtalk doesn't.
You could always go to a website like meebo and just use their interface.

would meebo be free? or will t-mobile count as texting

 

[noderat]

Only the included IM clients are counted as SMS, if you get one that uses data and not SMS well, then, it wont be text messages. Meebo included.

 

[killer3160]

Only the included IM clients are counted as SMS, if you get one that uses data and not SMS well, then, it wont be text messages. Meebo included.

so that means meebos free to use without it counting as texting?

 

[Android0523]

so that means meebos free to use without it counting as texting?

Meebos would be free, but also google talk is free on your phone, not the rest of the IM