Text Messaging in the EU is About to Get Cheaper
Okay, I’ll admit that I’m probably one of the few people left in the world who doesn’t have a cellphone. I don’t like them. I don’t like the way that they constantly interrupt real life – or the way people feel compelled to leave them “on” all the time, and answer them wherever they’re at and whatever they’re doing. (Which includes on the bus, in the theater, at the grocery store – and my personal pet peeve – while they’re driving.)
Oh, I think they’re useful – for example, when I was still learning French, I once spent an extra hour at the Carfour (a large supermarket here) searching in vain for cinnamon – and since I couldn’t find anyone who spoke English that day, ended up doing without. That day I almost wished I’d had one – it would have made things much easier to be able to call my husband and ask him for the French word for cinnamon – which, in case you’re wondering, is “Cannelle.”
And I think having a cell phone is a great idea if you ever have car trouble, want to find out where your kids are, or want to remind your husband not to forget to stop by the butcher’s. But most of the time – when I’m out and about – I don’t want to be tied to a telephone. I don’t want to be that connected.
Of course, that’s just me.
For the rest of the world, especially those of you who have a cell phone and use it to text message friends, family or colleagues in other parts of the EU, you’re probably going to be thrilled to know that the cost of sending text messages from France are going down – in fact, they’re going down by almost 2/3 – which, when you think about it – is a HUGE decrease! (And reminds us all how much the cell phone companies are making at our expense – well, at your expense.) The new price will be 0.11 euros.
Anyway, the European Commissioner for Information and Media, Viviane Reding said her next focus will be on reducing the overall costs of using a mobile phone abroad. And something else reportedly in the works, is to change the billing system so that your bill will be calculated by the second – rather than rounded up to the minute, which is the way it’s being done now.
Tags:billing rates,cell phones,text messaging going down in France
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