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NowSMS Support Forums ⬆ NowSMS Support - MMS & Advanced Issues ⬆ Archive through July 28, 2006 ⬆ |
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| Author | Message | |||
| George Roberts New member Username: Turnblue Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2005 |
I ordered a Multitech GSM/GPRS modem and need to order a carrier plan. Does a data only plan allow for mobile handsets to send MMS to the modem number? If not, what should i order from the carrier? This is for US carrier networks. I would apreciate any advice. Thanks, Geo | |||
| George Roberts New member Username: Turnblue Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2005 |
Anyone? | |||
| Bryce Norwood - NowSMS Support Board Administrator Username: Bryce Post Number: 5432 Registered: 10-2002 |
Sorry George, I really don't know what the different plans are that are offered by US operators. A data only plan might offer only internet access (no SMS or MMS support), because it is designed to support a PC user with a modem card. It's hard to say, as these things can vary quite a bit from operator to operator. Generally speaking, you should look for a plan that includes some number of SMS or MMS messages in the plan. -bn | |||
| Dave F New member Username: Fishnyc22 Post Number: 4 Registered: 07-2006 |
I have the same question actually. If I am just sending out text SMS, would I need a data plan or a phone plan with unlimited text messages (from a US carrier) I'm a bit confused I guess because I am unsure how the modem operates the SIM card. As a phone or as a modem. (does that even make sense) Any info would be apprecited. Thanks | |||
| Dave F New member Username: Fishnyc22 Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2006 |
I have the same question actually. If I am just sending out text SMS, would I need a data plan or a phone plan with unlimited text messages (from a US carrier) I'm a bit confused I guess because I am unsure how the modem operates the SIM card. As a phone or as a modem. (does that even make sense) Any info would be apprecited. Thanks | |||
| Bryce Norwood - NowSMS Support Board Administrator Username: Bryce Post Number: 6194 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Dave, It's never easy to figure out operator plans, as they vary by country, and they tend to change pretty regularly. My experience has been that "data plans" from operators tend to be focused on laptop users with a PC card that are using the modem for internet access. In those cases, the plans don't expect the user to be sending SMS or MMS messages (and sometimes SMS and/or MMS capability is not enabled for such an account). But there are other "data oriented plans" that focus on specific types of devices, such as Windows Mobile devices or Treo or Sidekick/Danger Hiptop, where the device is also a phone, and messaging is part of the plan. And one of those plans might be appropriate. (Generally speaking, you'd avoid Blackberry plans as they are too specific to that device. The same might apply to the Sidekick/Hiptop, I haven't looked into those plans in detail, but I know one customer was considering it.) Technically, the only data that you might be using with the modem would be related to sending/receiving MMS. And in most cases, that does not technically require a data plan, just messaging capabilities. Using a cheap voice plan with a messaging bundle is common in most of the world. -bn | |||
| Dave F New member Username: Fishnyc22 Post Number: 6 Registered: 07-2006 |
Thanks bryce. (sorry for cross-posting) In our other post you mentioned "Unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited in the mobile world." T-Mobile offers unlimited Text Messaging plan in the US for sending and receiving messages to any mobile device (I believe). So would that plan work for sending and receiving text SMS on a phone plan with the MultiTech GSM modem? | |||
| Dave F New member Username: Fishnyc22 Post Number: 9 Registered: 07-2006 |
Thanks bryce. (sorry for cross-posting) In our other post you mentioned "Unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited in the mobile world." T-Mobile offers unlimited Text Messaging plan in the US for sending and receiving messages to any mobile device (I believe). So would that plan work for sending and receiving text SMS on a phone plan with the MultiTech GSM modem? | |||
| Bryce Norwood - NowSMS Support Board Administrator Username: Bryce Post Number: 6204 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi Dave, re: "Unlimited doesn't always mean unlimited in the mobile world" I say this mainly with regard to various articles that I've read in mobile newsletters. Usually the issue has to do with so-called "unlimited data" plans. Providers like to promote these plans, but in the fine print, there are limits. And there have been a number of stories about people, mostly in rural areas, who bought such plans to use for their home internet access. But the mobile operators have cut them off, because they were greatly exceeding the limits in the fine print. It might just be the stuff of urban legend, I don't really know. That plan should work, just check the fine print. And avoid sending unsolicited messages, as any complaints about that are what can really get you in trouble. (In the rest of the world, SMS is always sender pays. In the US, users pay for both sending and receiving. While unsolicited messages are a serious issue in most of the world, it's a much bigger issue in the US because of the receiver pays issue.) | |||
| Dave F New member Username: Fishnyc22 Post Number: 12 Registered: 07-2006 |
Sounds good. We ordered the multitech modem. gonna give this all a shot some time next week with my buddy's t-mobile SIM card and see if it all works out. Thanks for the help. | |||
