Text Messaging Plans

For the deaf, text messaging may well be the primary communication they want from a cell phone. In fact, text messaging may be your only need even if you don't have any type of hearing loss. For this reason, finding the right text messaging plans is important so that you don't pay for voice minutes you won't use. For instances when a voice plan has little use, a data only plan is the economical choice. Some companies offer data only plans for anyone who is interested, others may require you to meet eligibility requirements.

AT&T provides the Text Accessbility Plan, while Sprint offers the Relay Data Plan, and US Cellular has several options inluding a standard and prepaid plan. Verizon now offers text plans with no voice minutes for as low as $34.99, you can see the details here.

There are also some other companies advertising online for text only plans, Qwert is one of them.

Sprint offers both capped and unlimited text messaging plans.

Their text messaging service allows users to text both domestically and internationally. Users can text from their phone or web browser and can receive e-mails using their Sprint Mobile e-mail address. Sprint customers can even send text messages to landline phones that are recieved as voice messages; they then receive a text message back when a response is sent.

The unlimited text messaging package can be added to plans for an additional $20/month/line. A text messaging package with a 1000 message limit can be added on for $10 per month or a 300 message limit for $5 per month. This allows those who text less the opportunity to hold down their monthly costs.

Sprint's unlimited plan for $99.99 provides users with unlimited talk, text, and data within their network. They also have capped voice plans priced from $89.99 to $69.99 and $49.99 which offer unlimited text messaging.

If a customer has a plan with a cap on it, they need to understand that there is a 20 cent per message charge for any messages that exceed the cap. Both sent and received messages count toward the monthly usage and can potentially incur overage charges.

You can see the most current information about Sprint Plans here.

T-Mobile offers text messaging plans that provide customers text, picture and video messaging. To get text messaging, consumers merely need to choose a Text & Talk plan. Two of the individual options are a Classic Unlimited Talk & Text plan with unlimited voice calling and unlimited text messaging (no data) for $59.99. If you talk less, they have 500 voice mintues and unlimited text messaging for $49.99.

T-Mobile also offers "No Annual Contract" text messaging plans. There is a $70/month plan with unlimited talk, text, and web and a $50/month version with slower speeds. For $15/month, users can get unlimited texting, 10 cents/minute voice calling, but no data.

Messages can be sent to or from a cell phone, or an e-mail address. Messages that exceed the cap of a plan are charged at 15 cents per message and like all plans in the US, charges are incurred on both sent and received messges.

For the latest information on T-Mobile Text Messaging Plans check here.

AT&T text messaging plans include text messaging as well as picture and video messaging. Messages can be sent and received via cell phone or PC. Group messaging and alerts are also a features of their service.

AT&T charges 15 cents per message but offers a number of text messaging packages. For instance, consumers can add unlimited messaging to a compatible phone and plan for $20/month, family unlimited messaging for $30/month, or international long distance messaging for $10/month.

For the latest information check for AT&T text messaging plans here.

Verizon also has a variety of text messaging plans. They charge 20 cents per message for text,and 25 cents per picture or video message. (received and sent)

However, for those who do more text messaging there are better options. With an individual line, consumers can add an unlimited text messaging bundle to their plan for $20/month, a 500 message bundle for $10/month, or a 250 message bundle for $5/month.

For families, the unlimited messaging bundle is $30/month. Prepaid plans charge per message at 20 cents/text and 25 cents/picture or video message. There is also an unlimited $20 text messaging bundle for prepaid plans.

We update the information on this page a few times a year, but you can check for the most recent information on Verizon Text Messaging Plans here.

US Cellular offers a number of text messaging plans.

Text messaging costs 25 cents/message but there are plans that include bundles for greater savings if you text a great dea. Individual plans with unlimited messaging range in price from $79.99 to $109.99. Families can add unlimited text messaging to any individual line for an additional $20/month but there are also family plans that offer unlimited text messaging. These plans range from $99.99 to $179.99/month.

Prepaid plans cost $10 and each message costs 25 cents/message plus 10 cents/voice call.

There are also a handful of plans that are focused on those who use text messaging primarily. They start at $30/month.

Find the most current text messaging plans for US cellular by checking this page.

Prepaid cell phone plans are known for their high per minute and per text message costs. However, this isn't always true. For instance, many prepaid services now have unlimited talk and text messaging plans that are highly competitive. For instance, Net10 offers unlimited talk, text and data for $30 and Tracfone offers Straight Talk phones with unlimited talk and text messaging for only $45/month.

You can learn about more of these options on our page about prepaid cell phone plans

Photo Credits
Introduction: b_d_solis.
What if Text Messaging is All You Really Need? merfam.