[Brenda]

I have a pay-as-you-go cell, on the Bell network.
Most of my text-messages don't seem to reach the recipient. Mostly US recipients, but also Canadian #'s don't receive them. I still pay for them though, because it sends.

Bell can't find the problem, they claim "Florida is the worst state when it comes to coverage" and that kind of bull.
Any advice? Except for getting another phone and another plan...

[roger-roger]

Do you have a problem with recieving text messages, I think there are some sites out there that will send text messages for you.

[Brenda]

lily wrote:

How is Florida relevant?

Are you receiving them ok?

Mine and my kids' phones are Telus, and the only problem we have with texting is sometimes the messages don't go through right away - I've received messages up to an hour after they were sent.

I called about my texts not going through to Florida, so that is what they came up with
Now I just texted a friend in Illinois, same result...

I guess I am, but some domestic ones don't get here either. Not even after a week...

[Brenda]

lily wrote:

Eisensapper wrote:

Do you have a problem with recieving text messages, I think there are some sites out there that will send text messages for you.

There are. I used to have a link to one, and had a lot of fun sending anonymous texts to a few people.

I know, but when I am on my computer, I can send an email too

Jaxtr is one of them... Rogers has the same, but only if you have a Rogers plan

[Brenda]

lily wrote:

I would get on the phone, tell them what's happening, and wait patiently for them to address my concerns. It sounds like they're trying to avoid figuring it out.... but you should insist that you not be charged for texts that aren't going through.

I've done that, and all they can say is: well, your texts are going through, you sent them, so the problem must be at the receiving end. They should contact their provider and unblock your #
(Tech support told me that...)

[Tricks]

Doesn't need it.

[Scape]

The problems are:

1) Your on a pay as you go. This has low priority. They can only verify domestic texts anyway and see text messaging as a frill to the service anyway. Also, as pay-as-you-go towers may flag as your service provider but that does not mean that they are and thus they may only be sending voice and not data.

2) You are in Canada sending text internationally. Unless you are with a bundle package it will not be supported and the only way to get a bundle is to sign up for a term.

[RUEZ]

Scape wrote:

The problems are:

1) Your on a pay as you go. This has low priority. They can only verify domestic texts anyway and see text messaging as a frill to the service anyway. Also, as pay-as-you-go towers may flag as your service provider but that does not mean that they are and thus they may only be sending voice and not data.

2) You are in Canada sending text internationally. Unless you are with a bundle package it will not be supported and the only way to get a bundle is to sign up for a term.

I had pay as you go with Virgin, which uses the Bell network. Never had a problem with texting other than a few minute delay. However I've never sent international texts.

[2Cdo]

RUEZ wrote:

I had pay as you go with Virgin, which uses the Bell network. Never had a problem with texting other than a few minute delay. However I've never sent international texts.

I have pay-as-you-go with Telus and had no problems whatsoever with sending or recieving texts. Other than the fact it takes me forever to type up a text and send it. I find it quicker just to call.

[Scape]

Virgin may have better agreements and system protocol. Bell, Rogers and Telus frequently have lackluster service and their focus is on long term plans this is why they launched companies like Fido. Problem is with the big corps old habits die hard and they want you to switch to a rate plan and see pay as you go as a temp demo so they cheap out on the service otherwise.

[Brenda]

Scape wrote:

The problems are:

1) Your on a pay as you go. This has low priority. They can only verify domestic texts anyway and see text messaging as a frill to the service anyway. Also, as pay-as-you-go towers may flag as your service provider but that does not mean that they are and thus they may only be sending voice and not data.

2) You are in Canada sending text internationally. Unless you are with a bundle package it will not be supported and the only way to get a bundle is to sign up for a term.

That is why I called them, and they assured me there should not be a problem with sending texts to the US. (With or without the country code, btw)

I had sent texts to the US before without a problem. Now all of a sudden (past 2 months or something...) even national texts are not coming through, either way.

[Scape]

Your problem is with the provider. Your hardware and the network itself are sound. If this is an issue worth switching over then you have the option to brow beat bell. If you mention that you are a retention risk the reps will be allowed to offer you better options if you wish to convert to a rate plan. This problem isn't going to go away with pay as you go as you have to change service providers outright for this to be rectified. The good news is the new companies like Solo, Koodo and Fido is they are all owned by Telus, Bell and Rogers. It's a a shell game, but they have better service setup with the new companies for the pay as you go rate as they were set up with that in mind. Tell them you want to switch and see what they offer.

Edit: note if you can wait there will be new service providers coming out soon (I hope Shaw) as the wireless spectrum auction has finished and new providers have begun rollout.

New cellphone carrier launching in 2nd half of 2009

[Brenda]

Scape wrote:

Virgin may have better agreements and system protocol. Bell, Rogers and Telus frequently have lackluster service and their focus is on long term plans this is why they launched companies like Fido. Problem is with the big corps old habits die hard and they want you to switch to a rate plan and see pay as you go as a temp demo so they cheap out on the service otherwise.

I just checked Virgin out... Can you switch providers, keeping your #, AND your phone?

(I'm used to using a SIM card, so the N-A way is kinda different... My questions might be a little stupid )

[Brenda]

It's PC mobile, btw, that uses the Bell network. I called PC mobile, and when they couldn't figure it out, they put me through to Bell, who can't figure it out either...

[Scape]

Line number portability will allow you to transfer your number to the new carrier.