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Old 14-01-2014, 15:58
fixerman
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I have just had my bill from Virgin Mobile and was surprised to see that I had incurred charges as I never exceed my allowance. On looking at my bill on line I was horrified to see that I have been charged for sending those funny little pictures attached to text messages. Is this normal?
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Old 14-01-2014, 16:04
bikerlad
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Could it be that your phone converted it to MMS and you got charged for that?
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Old 14-01-2014, 16:05
Night Hawk
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What kind of phone?
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Old 14-01-2014, 16:24
fixerman
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What kind of phone?
Samsung Galaxy S4. My wife has a Nexus 4 on Virgin and she does not get charged for those silly emoticons. Both phones are on the same account in my name.!
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Old 14-01-2014, 16:27
jabbamk1
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Follow this guide
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1.../edit?hl=en_US

And you shouldn't be charged for MMS anymore. (just delete MMS if it's a text box)
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Old 14-01-2014, 16:40
fixerman
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[quote=jabbamk1;70812097]Follow this guide
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1.../edit?hl=en_US

Thanks but under APN type it simply says "default,supl"
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Old 14-01-2014, 16:44
The Sack
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When you send an emoji you are sending a regular text smilie. the actual smilie images are already on your phone. If you have been charged then you have sent something non standard
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Old 14-01-2014, 16:57
jabbamk1
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Thanks but under APN type it simply says "default,supl"
Oh ok, in that case try this

Go to your Text Messages > Press the menu key and tap on Settings > Text Messages > Advanced > Set to SMS only.

OR

In the messaging settings, got to mms "creation mode" and select "restricted".

If that doesn't work then I'm not sure really.


Does anyone else know? I don't have an S4 so can't check myself.
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Old 14-01-2014, 17:16
wavejockglw
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That happens..... if you use emoticons in SMS messages using the Samsung Galaxy S4 EE charge the messages as MMS!!

Bit of a con I think but must be to do with how the network recognises the data being transmitted from the phone. The answer is to ensure you use only ASCCI characters like or etc.
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Old 14-01-2014, 17:27
jabbamk1
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That happens..... if you use emoticons in SMS messages using the Samsung Galaxy S4 EE charge the messages as MMS!!

Bit of a con I think but must be to do with how the network recognises the data being transmitted from the phone. The answer is to ensure you use only ASCCI characters like or etc.
Sneaky.

In that case just do what wavejock said and type out the emoticons rather than use them.
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Old 14-01-2014, 20:37
jaffboy151
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I got an unexpected bill from three for mms messages from using emotions in texts, the problem started after the latest update was installed in my S4, before this some of the symbols wouldn't display in the text field when sent or received and would come up as the android symbols, this was sorted after the update (also updated to android 4:3 around the same time) but then the charges started, can anyone confirm if those jabbamk1 changes do work as I'm using google hangouts for all my messages at the moment which sorts the problem out perfect even though I don't really know what google hangouts is and how it's different from the usual message centre..
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Old 14-01-2014, 21:04
coachtrip_fan99
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Download whatsapp.... Have your friends and relatives download whatsapp...

.... Send as many emoticons, images, video clips, sounds as you like... Without having to spend a penny. (Assuming WiFi or data plan)
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Old 14-01-2014, 21:05
finbaar
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We just discovered this little treat with my wife's Note O2. She has stopped using emoticons in texts.
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Old 14-01-2014, 21:56
Kierankay
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Same problem on my Galaxy S4 although my cousin who is also on O2 but has an iPhone can send them as regular sms messages, so I'm guessing it's something to do with the way Samsung have set it up.
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Old 14-01-2014, 22:07
MGS4SnakeRulez
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Or download chomp or handcent plus the emoji add on.
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Old 14-01-2014, 22:26
gamernewbie
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Same problem with my HTC one since the 4.3 update. I noticed the number or characters allowed in the message changed when I inserted a new smilie so I have just stopped using them. Really annoying tho because when I use the old style ones they show up as a cute face on my BF's phone but his show up as symbols on mine! No longer smilie compatible! First would problems eh...
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Old 15-01-2014, 06:10
qasdfdsaq
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That happens..... if you use emoticons in SMS messages using the Samsung Galaxy S4 EE charge the messages as MMS!!
Huh. Never happened to me - but that said I don't use the stock messaging app on my S4.

In fact I don't think I use the stock anything app on my S4, bar GMail and camera.
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Old 07-02-2015, 14:09
alanwarwic
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Enough to wipe that smiley off your face.

http://www.cnet.com/news/emojis-coul...n-older-phone/
"Apple, HTC, Nokia and Sony phones shouldn't convert an emoji-filled text into an MMS. Older Samsung phones will have this problem, but you can protect yourself by opening your Messaging app and clicking Settings > Text messages > Input mode, and selecting "UniCode" instead of "automatic"."

I'd imagine Hangouts does SMS things correctly, with it also being able to IM to everyone for free( it might still embargo Windows Phone)

edit - "It seems to affect older models of phones, including some Samsung and Apple handsets"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-31148424

Some of that halfway house advice in the above is a bit laughable.
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Old 07-02-2015, 15:33
lem ramsay
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Tried yesterday to send a text with an emoticon from my S4 with Hangouts and I got charged 25p by Three
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Old 07-02-2015, 15:44
Mr Dos
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woman gets £1,200 bill for emoticons

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-contract.html
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Old 07-02-2015, 16:07
IvanIV
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Only use ASCII art smilies and you'll be fine. Special symbols make SMS upgrade to MMS.
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Old 07-02-2015, 19:08
artnada
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I have just had my bill from Virgin Mobile and was surprised to see that I had incurred charges as I never exceed my allowance. On looking at my bill on line I was horrified to see that I have been charged for sending those funny little pictures attached to text messages. Is this normal?
Yes they do
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-31148424
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Old 07-02-2015, 19:30
alanwarwic
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There is a warning message that pops when MMS s used by people do not know the difference between the two. I think you get the same when an MMS is to go to multi recipients.

"Mobile network providers decide how these messages are charged, and Ofcom has clear rules in place to ensure prices are transparent.
"We would expect operators to make clear how much MMS messages cost under your tariff, and when those charges would apply," a spokesman told the BBC.


Good old 'look the other way' Ofcom !!! Those £1000+ data charges still happen regular.
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Old 07-02-2015, 20:35
ozz
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The MMS APN is the first thing that gets deleted when i set up a new phone so unexpected charges can never occur.
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Old 07-02-2015, 20:59
alanwarwic
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Good idea, though I have never ever sent a smiley, unless you the : followed by a ).
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