Re:Some data 4 U (Score 1)

There is a bit of a difference. When you send a letter, the letter is being carried by 1 network--the post office/fedex/ups, etc. When you text--espeically if its between networks--then only the sending network gets the revenue and the receiver (company) doesn't get anything, yet still has the 'cost' of delivering it. Sure if there is a reply, it may even out, but notification services would tip the scales in favor of the sender's provider for sure. As for voice calls, quite simply, we're on a metered cellphone system. In the US, if you don't have an 'unlimited' plan for your local [land line] calls, then you would pay per minute--even inbound. Its obvious the cell phone companies are trying to push everyone to unlimited plans to get more revenue up front to improve cash flow and stabilize profits with more fixed A/R than variable.

There is a bright side. Companies start offering 'Unlimited Everything' plans (see Sprint) which force other carriers to do that. Then the carriers get into a price war over the unlimited plans and ultimately, the consumer witll win.