Question Regarding Texting/IM/Video/Picture Message and Internet Use

Hi, thanks in advance for any help.

My family is on a family plan, and we also have messaging unlimited for families and NO data plan. I recently used AOL instant messenger, voice messaging, video messaging, and picture messaging for the first time. However, I was wondering if what I'm doing is costing me any money beyond what we're paying for with the messaging unlimited.

When I send a voice message, video message, or picture message, my phone(Sony Ericsson W810i) shows me as sending a message as well as being connected to the internet. Does this mean I'm paying a little for using the internet? Or is this free because I have unlimited messaging.

Also, ATT's site says "Signing in to IM through the IM or Messaging icon on your phone is free. If you access IM through MEdia Net, you will incur data charges per kb of usage." Under the messaging menu on my phone, there is an AIM button that I can use to log onto AIM. However, again, my phone says it is connected to the internet during this entire time. Am I being charged for being online while I use AIM on my phone? And is every message between me and my buddies the same as a text message? Or is it something else because it is an IM?

Lastly, when I receive a video or picture message, sometimes my phone shows me as connected to the internet when I receive the message. Am I being charged additional for that internet use?

Thanks for any help!

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Multimedia messages use the data connection to send and receive the messages, however you are not charged for use of the data network for that pupose. If you use the built-in Instant Message client on the phone or one downloaded from AT&T, you only use messages from your allowance to send and receive instant messages from the supported services. If you have to download a program such as Mobile EMail, you will use data to download it and will be charged data on a pay per use basis for the download.

Last Sunday, AT&T reduced the cost of Data Unlimited (formerly called MEdia Net Unlimited) from $15.00 per line to $10.00 per line for conventional phones if you have the family messaging unlimited plan. You might want to purchase it for one line if you have to download anything. You can temporarily put that SIM card in another phone if you need to download something to that phone.

My phone has a AIM feature under the messaging menu, so I didn't have to download anything. However, when I am on AIM after logging on, am I being charged for using the internet? And all the messages I send are the same as text messages essentially, right? I dont get charged for those if I have unlimited messaging?

You are not charged for simply being connected to the data network. You are charged if you upload or download something. This is other than multimedia messages or connections in support of instant messages.

If you are that concerned just look online to see if you have data usage...and you can qualify for the $10 unlimited data with a family text plan but you have to be on a current rate plan and not an old one, otherwise its not available for us to offer.

You shouldn't be charged data for doing IM/MMS messaging, but the capability of the internet is there, if you access it, even go on and close it you'll have a few cents charge.