Re: Per message charge for using Instant Messaging?

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

> 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/me...jsp#general-im

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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Jeffrey Kaplan www.gordol.org
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At 25 Jul 2008 17:54:44 -0700 taxenqs@yahoo.com wrote:

> 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?


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