T-Mobile + Flexpay = No Shortcodes

I asked the question on June 14, 2007: Why can't I sent and receive text from Twitter (40404) and Google SMS (466453)? They're free.

And after 10 days I finally find out why I'm screwed:

"These services are third-party network services and are accessed through a common gateway for all such services. This gateway is not accessible to all account types, and this includes FlexPay accounts. As your account is a FlexPay account, regrettably, you are unable to make use of these services. This is what the error text is referring to. I apologize for the inconvenience."

So this is my punishment for refusing to sign a contract. Thanks, T-Mobile!

The Well Hidden "Gotcha" on T-Mobile's FlexPay "Unlimited" Plan

I didn't want to get sucked into another 2-year contract with T-Mobile, or any carrier for that matter, until I was certain who I wanted to end up with. In reviewing all the pre-paid plans out there, I decided to go with T-Mobile's Individual Unlimited plan for $99 per month, and do so month-to-month using their FlexPay program.

In addition to unlimited calling to anyone on any network or landline, the $99 plan also came with unlimited text messaging, IMs, video and picture messaging and that was exactly what I needed.

However, two of the services I use heavily via SMS (text messaging) are Twitter and Google, which both provide free shortcodes for accessing their service.

It turns out that T-Mobile blocks access to these shortcodes, making you unable to send text messages to them.

Surely that's outlined in the plan details; I must have just overlooked that disclosure. After combing through my materials several times, I fail to see where T-Mobile discloses such a blockage.

Where have I seen that business practice before? Oh yes, when I discovered the hard way that T-Mobile blocks Internet access for 3rd party java applications on the Nokia phones they sell.

The bottom line: If you rely on being able to send messages to SMS shortcodes for services such as Twitter or Google SMS, T-Mobile FlexPay plans are not for you.

Photo credit: Flickr user Zach Klein