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Facebook Is Killing Text Messaging

Posted by timothy on from the funeral-will-be-awesome dept.

An anonymous reader writes "We've heard many times and from multiple sources that text messaging is declining. There are multiple reasons for this (BlackBerry Messenger, Apple's iMessage, and even WhatsApp), but the biggest one is Facebook (Messenger). Facebook is slowly but surely killing the text message. As a result, the social networking giant is eating into the traffic carriers receive from text messaging, and thus a huge chunk of their revenues."

7 of 270 comments (clear)

  1. No huge chunks in Europe by Mirvnillith · · Score: 4, Informative

    In Sweden text messages tend to be free (but only the first 5000 each month) with plans at about $21 a month (this example with 3GB data as well). I know the US is different (recipient paying for text message and such), but there are operators surviving without this huge chunk of revenue ...

    1. Re:No huge chunks in Europe by I_am_Jack · · Score: 4, Informative

      Then you weren't a teenage girl with a cell phone. My daughter averages 5200 a month .

  2. Re:Nope by GuldKalle · · Score: 5, Informative

    yes
    https://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=224049364288051

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    What?
  3. Re:Don't worry about the mobile carriers by Paco103 · · Score: 4, Informative

    In the US you do. It was accepted on phone calls when cell phones first came out, because the caller does not pay extra to place the call as they do in some countries (if I understand correctly). This was more acceptable since I have the option to not answer a call. With text messages, however, I don't have the option to not get one. In the US, I don't know of any company that doesn't charge for incoming texts, but some do charge less for incoming texts than outgoing.

  4. Wired has a lot more spectrum by tepples · · Score: 3, Informative

    Your DSL, cable, or fiber ISP has a lot more spectrum available to it than any cellular carrier because copper and fiber act as waveguides. Therefore, such a wired ISP can provide far more last-mile throughput.

  5. Re:Good by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 4, Informative

    You mean like when Target told a dad his daughter was pregnant?

    Also, you loose nothing. If something is loose you should tighten it as not to lose it. Although I guess in this case you sort of did lose a loose customer.

  6. Re:Good by gstrickler · · Score: 4, Informative

    $5/mo for unlimited texting? Not from Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile. It's a $20/mo add-on from VZ, AT&T and Sprint, or a $10/mo higher plan from T-Mobile.

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    make imaginary.friends COUNT=100 VISIBLE=false