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SMS Messaging for MSN Messenger UK Beta Due Soon

Daniel Fleshbourne   on 14 April 2005 - 07:01 · 21 comments & 5391 views

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In an email to MSN beta testers, Microsoft have announced plans to start testing SMS (short message service) messaging direct from their popular chat client.

SMS Messaging features were present in previous beta releases of MSN Messenger yet had a variety of restrictions placed on users. With the new beta, the requirement for a passport account to enter a contact has been dropped, and one can simply enter a name and mobile number. As well as this new functionality, a number of new mobile carriers have been added.

Microsoft is targeting the beta at users in the UK, and notes that whilst in beta stages, usage will be free. So far, no public launch date has been announced, or, more importantly, a future pricing system. Microsoft's attempts to "commercialise" elements of MSN Messenger (dynamic display pictures) have been criticised by users for being too expensive and restrictive.

View: MSN Messenger UK Home


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(5 replies) #1 SiDEBURNS on 14 Apr 2005 - 07:10
But will the recipient get charged?
#1.1 twyst3d on 14 Apr 2005 - 07:13
most likely unless they have free incoming text
#1.2 [DGS] on 14 Apr 2005 - 07:18
You get charged for receiving a sms?
#1.3 Kushan on 14 Apr 2005 - 08:50
Possibly, but then that was how it used to work. Why bring something into beta when it's been done before? I think this is a new thing, so you pay for the SMS's you want to send rather than receiving them.
#1.4 chorpeac on 14 Apr 2005 - 14:24
I don't get charged
#1.5 NimrodUK on 14 Apr 2005 - 17:03
They wont charge to recieive the SMS, thats illegal unless the user signs up.
Now if they made users sign up to recieive messages from people on MSN, the feature would quite frankly fail with very few users.
(3 replies) #2 utomo on 14 Apr 2005 - 07:22
Hey, why they did not make it available International ?
and they must support as many as possible the operator.

and I hope it is not just temporary such as other IM which offering this only for short time and then disable it. such as Yahoo messenger, ICQ and others.
I hope it will last for long time.
We love sending SMS from IM, because it is easier to type. compared typing it from mobile phone.
#2.1 Kushan on 14 Apr 2005 - 08:49
It's probably due to negotiating tarrifs and stuff with providors. I dare say the Uk was the target as it's Mobile Phone industry is a lot better than in the US.
#2.2 tsutton on 14 Apr 2005 - 09:23
You got it right. Even that USA has more mobile ownership than UK, we (UK) send billions of text message than USA.

w00t, go UK!
#2.3 utomo on 15 Apr 2005 - 07:29
Asia is more sending SMS compared to others country.
and they better to negotiate so they can send to International mobile number too.
and it is possible as other already do this.

I suggest Microsoft negotiating bulk SMS message, or better if they negotiating for unlimited send (so microsoft did not need to count or get problems later) and for long period.
#3 Maajid on 14 Apr 2005 - 07:22
QUOTE
You get charged for receiving a sms?

Surely not?
#4 KxLiquid on 14 Apr 2005 - 07:25
Most operators don't charge for incoming sms. Mine just changed to doing it, 5 cents. You used not be able to get sms at all unless you added it and the only option you had was unlimited for $5.95 but now they have changed it to 5cents a message, incoming and out going and offer no packages. Luckly I a got grandfathered. This is in the U.S. I don't know how it is in the U.K.
#5 Homer™ on 14 Apr 2005 - 07:32
On pay as you go plans over here, yes as I got charged 20p for recieving an sms from MSN. On pay monthly plans though, I'm not so sure as I haven't had the luxuary of a friend sending me crap in the middle of the night to it.

But sms from mobile to mobile is only going to cost the person sending it here.
#6 smashguy on 14 Apr 2005 - 07:58
Sounds Interesting!
#7 TheTrainMan on 14 Apr 2005 - 08:11
SMS in the UK is very wide on what you can get.
I suspect the operators will charge to recieve from MSN, like when you go abroard. However, usually recieving text messages are free. Usually around 10p a message, anything more and you're being ripped off (unless its a Picture Message).

Pay Monthly usually comes with free txt's a month.
I myself am on a special deal with O2. I top up a minimum of £10 a month and get 300 txt's for free. I have worked out now that i can slowly use those 300 over the month and then not even break into the £10 - but top up again and get another 300 free! Current Balence: £54.87
(1 reply) #8 hotdog963al on 14 Apr 2005 - 09:21
Cool! Make your friends pay to recieve your worthless message!
This could be a good way of **ssing people off
#8.1 WDGC on 14 Apr 2005 - 09:29
The possibilities are endless!
#9 Fragaday on 14 Apr 2005 - 10:59
If its going to work the same way as mobile messaging did in the MSN 7 beta, then the purpose of this is to switch the charge from the receiver to the sender, which makes sense really (otherwise what would make it different from current functionality?).
(1 reply) #10 Exosphere on 14 Apr 2005 - 13:06
I've had a mobile phone for over 10 years, NEVER have I been charged for receiving a SMS, nor will I ever - My operator does not charge for receiving (most UK operators do not).

However, someone noticed whilst hacking around with 7.0.777 it had some buttons not yet active, heres a mockup:
http://mess.be/_pictures/screenshots/futuremobileconvo.gif

As you'll see, it will be MSN that will charge YOU for sending.
#10.1 utomo on 15 Apr 2005 - 07:38
Oh, If we see the screenshot.
Microsoft will sell the credits instead of giving it for free.

Look at buy mobile message icon.

I think they better to give few message free for each days, and if user wants more they need to buy. instead of must buy it.
#11 jameseuk on 14 Apr 2005 - 18:53
seems odd that its done through an msn group.

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