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Incoming text charge – Metro US

Incoming text charge

Rogers Wireless will start charging 15 cents for each incoming text for cell­phone customers who don’t have message plans, starting July 7.

Spokeswoman Liz Ham­il­ton said yesterday that Rogers is falling in line with other major carriers in North America, including Bell and Telus, which already levy this kind of charge for text messages.

“If you take a look at SMS usage, it’s increasing at an exponential rate,” Hamilton said from Toronto. “It’s a texting world.”

Hamilton said only a small number of Rogers Wireless messaging base will be affected because most messages are sent to customers who have text messaging included in their cellphone plans or bundles.

She added users won’t be charged for spam text messages, and also that users of the discount brand Fido won’t be affected.

The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association says 76 million text messages are sent daily in Canada.

Bell Mobility and Telus Mobility announced last summer that they would charge cellphone customers not covered by calling plans 15 cents for each incoming text message.