iPhone 4 and 4S

[clare86]

Just got my new 4s activated and it came up with the following message on the screen 'FaceTime -  Your carrier may charge for SMS messages used to activate FaceTime'. What does this actually mean and does Vodafone charge for this? Just a bit confused as I've moved from a 3G and obviously didn't have FaceTime.

Many thanks!

[MalikMohamed]

wanted to ask exactly the same thing, will be monitoring this.

[mitchja]

It means Vodafone will charge you ( the out of allowance rate) for the silent text your iPhone sends whilst activating Facetime.  Even contract users on Voda get charged for this (O2 dont charge for this sms BTW)

[MalikMohamed]

so they take it out of our allowance rate but will be free for the first 3 months as we have unlimited internet? and what silent text and how much will this cost?

[youknowme]

So will this so-called 'silent text' be part of the text allowance we get with our contracts?

[thesoupdragon]

You only pay the text charge if you contact the other person via their Mobile number.

If you use there email address you wont be charged. I have set my email address as the Facetime Contact detail, so when my daughter Facetimes me from her iPod she uses my email address. A message flashes on the phone screen to say Answer Facetime Call.

hope that helps

currently using iPhone 4 - iOS5

[youknowme]

I understand what you're saying.

But does the iPhone send the text message only once when you turn it on? Or does it keep doing it everytime you Facetime with someone.

And is it part of the inclusive text allowance.

[mitchja]

FaceTime sends a silent text message containing config info when you turn on FaceTime. Leave FaceTime on and no further texts wil be sent. Changing SIM cards, for example will disable FaceTime so you will have to turn it back on.

Vodafone, in their infinite wisdom, have decided that the number these text messages go to (don't have the actually number off the top of my head sorry) are to be charged at the 'premium text sent' message rate so everyone regardless of tariff type, will get charged extra for this.

O2 (and other networks) don't actually charge you for this text. Data has nothing to do with this as Facetime activation is all done via a text message.

Using FaceTime will not cost you anything.