iPhone 4 and 4S

[mitchja]

Since when has Vodafone started charging pay monthly customers for the Facetime activation SMS?

I noticed yesterday morning that Facetime was off on my IP4.  For those that dont know, turning on Facetime sends a silent SMS to an 07 number with config data in it.

I turned on Facetime and today noticed at the exact time I turned on Facetime, Vodafone have charged me a 'Premium Text Msg' ??

I've never been charged for this before, so why now?

[mitchja]

Anyone?

I realise Vodafone staff are more concerned with iPhone 4S queriers at the moment but would appreciate a response as to why I''m now been charged for these SMS's all of a sudden?

[James]

Hi mitchja,

As far as I’m aware we have always charged for this activation message as although it is sent to an 07 number it is classed as a premium rate message and as such you will be charged the out of bundle rate to receive this activation text.

James

[GavinKemp]

Your kidding right?

We have to pay for that?

[oscarolim]

So we have to pay 24p times 30 days (assuming the phone is turned off every day) to use a service that is free?

[Martin]

Hi oscarolim

As the number is premium rate number, every text that is sent would be chargeable. The only suggestion that I have is not to de activate from Facetime so an activation text is not needed.

Martin

[oscarolim]

Its a 07 number, not a premium number.

No other network charges for this, and its a free service provided by Apple, not vodafone.

It makes no sense that to turn on and off the phone the customer has to pay.

There is only one word that describes this behaviour, and that is greed!

If it was a one off charge, I could understand, but a fee to turn on the phone, that makes no sense.

I dont have a choice to turn off facetime or imessage, since everytime the phone is turned on a new message gets sent again, and charged again.

No where in my contract it said i could not turn off my device or i would be charged a fee for doing it so.

But if you don't care to fix this asap, maybe ofcom will lend a hand and set things right.

[JohnA]

I know I've switched Facetime (and iMessage which gives a similiar warning about possible sms charges) on and off a few times recently and looking at my online billing shows no charges at all.

[kids]

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oscarolim wrote:

Its a 07 number, not a premium number.

No other network charges for this, and its a free service provided by Apple, not vodafone.

It makes no sense that to turn on and off the phone the customer has to pay.

There is only one word that describes this behaviour, and that is greed!

From the Apple forums it would appear that the activation charge is applicable to both the USA & Europe:

Quote:

Hi there. Here is my issue with iMessage:

I'm from Spain (sorry for my bad English). I buyed an iPhone 4S one month ago. I activated iMessage then, and yesterday I was checking my phone invoice when I noticed I had sent 3 international sms (to U.K.). Each one was 0'60 €   I checked the number, and It is an activation number used by Apple to verify your number. I can understand this, but i can't understand why you have to pay for this verification everytime you switch on iMessage. I checked the dates when these messages were send and the other 2 messages were send when I restore my iPhone (iOS 5.0.1 upgrade and another one because i changed my AppleID). So, I think this is a bug from iOS5 that I should't pay and It's something Apple must fix.

I have read in other Spanish Forums about people with more than 10 activation messages (about 6 €) and other people without these messages, so I don't understand what happens.

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[mrchandler]

Because thet have forgotten how important pay monthly customers are but go to app store get tango it is free i use it to all my contacts with an iphone 4 and vodo get zip so they will no doubt try and block it .

they stopped doing free facetime after the n95 i think but it was kept quite

[FoneGuru]

FYI - an 070 number IS a premium number

Its not a standard mobile number, in fact its not a mobile number at all - Be careful, as some company's are adopting these numbers because of that fact.