[UserInVa]

When I send an SMS message from my BB ... is it using the internet or my phone. I have unlimited internet usage but I don't pay for a phone plan on my BB so I'm wondering if I will get additional charges. I sent a msg to my cell phone and the sender is identified as the phone number of my BB vs. the BB vzw email address so I'm thinking it is linked with the phone and I'll get additional charges. Is that true? If that's true, is there a way to text message from the BB not going through the phone?

[penguin3107]

SMS messages use the voice network, not your data plan.
The unlimited Internet plan typically does not cover text messages at all.
You're going to get billed per message if you don't have a voice plan and/or a text messaging plan.

If you do a lot of text messaging, you should strongly consider adding a text messaging option to your account. It's probably only about 5-10 dollars per month.

[UserInVa]

Originally Posted by penguin3107

SMS messages use the voice network, not your data plan.
The unlimited Internet plan typically does not cover text messages at all.
You're going to get billed per message if you don't have a voice plan and/or a text messaging plan.

If you do a lot of text messaging, you should strongly consider adding a text messaging option to your account. It's probably only about 5-10 dollars per month.

Thank you. Thank you - I just checked and you are correct, it's 5 dollars for 250. (Then I don't need a voice plan, right?) Now for the blockbuster stupid question probably...once I sign up for that how do I actually text message (vs. SMS)? I don't see that anywhere.

[penguin3107]

Go into Messages on your Blackberry, click the trackwheel button and choose the 'Compose SMS' option.

[jwerges]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

SMS and text message are the same thing.

[UserInVa]

Originally Posted by jwerges

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

SMS and text message are the same thing.

That's what I didn't realize. Think I got it now, thanks a lot.

[shona67]

Originally Posted by jwerges

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

SMS and text message are the same thing.

In Europe, they use a term of SMS (stand for Short Message Service). In America, we tend to use the term of text message. Literally, SMS is a formal word. Same thing with Mobile (international) and Cell Phone (America).

[akg]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 8100: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320))

Originally Posted by jwerges

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

SMS and text message are the same thing.

I've noticed that a lot of people don't know this.

[LaTuFu]

Most Americans are used to the term "text message" because thats the term originally used for marketing it by wireless companies.

On your phone, SMS texts are the "text messages" you are used to. Your BB also can do "MMS" messages, which simply allow you to send voice and pictures with the text. These messages use data.

[akg]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 9000: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0; Google Wireless Transcoder;))

Originally Posted by LaTuFu

Most Americans are used to the term "text message" because thats the term originally used for marketing it by wireless companies.

On your phone, SMS texts are the "text messages" you are used to. Your BB also can do "MMS" messages, which simply allow you to send voice and pictures with the text. These messages use data.

As far as I know MMS messages come off of your SMS/MMS plan and if you don't have a plan you are charged the applicable fee. They may use data but they are NOT included in your BlackBerry Data Plan. You do have to have a data plan to use MMS though, interestingly enough. It would make sense for it to be included but it's not.

[smilingburgers]

Kind of a bummer....

Verizon doesn't enable the MMS feature of the Blackberry.

Right now, if a VZW customer (non BB) sends a "Picture Message" to anyone in the network they will recieve it unless the recipient is a BB user. BB users get an SMS (text) message that tells you to go to the VZW website and view the picture that was sent to you. We CAN recieve pictures sent via email (as attachemt) or via BB messinger (from pictures gallery only).

It's totally rediculous!! But true none the less.

If VZW were to ever offer a Pearl or Curve, it will have to re-think that policy. I honestly don't know why they've done this.

[UserInVa]

Originally Posted by smilingburgers

Verizon doesn't enable the MMS feature of the Blackberry.

I was just about to ask what an MMS msg is, but if I can't do it then...never mind. Thanks for all the info.

[macallik]

One way you can get away with using the sms message as data, is to send them as emails. Here is a link to the extentions for the carriers.

[UserInVa]

Originally Posted by macallik

One way you can get away with using the sms message as data, is to send them as emails. Here is a link to the extentions for the carriers.

Hey, thanks a lot for that link.

[bcbbanga4l]

hey guys im new just thanking all for the support on here ive been looking for a site like this teh last one i was in sucked lol but thanks for the link too good idea

[macallik]

No problem UserInVa. Hope it helps.

[smilingburgers]

Unfortunately sending a text via email will not allow you to attach any files on the Verizon network.

I wish!

The only way to get a pic onto your Verizon BB is to email to whatever address you have setup on the handheld or use desktop manager (for 8830 model only).