Delivery reports have been free for as long as I remember. But it seems that Networks are starting charge for the service. Three have announced that they are to introduce a charge to all users who use SMS delivery reports. The change will come into affect from the 6th June 2011. Three 3G will be charging 1p per delivery report, which doesn't seem to be much at first glance, but if you're heavy SMS users, the charges could start stacking up. This will particularly hit the youth market, where it is not uncommon for the use of text messages to be at least over 100 per month.
Delivery reports can be switched off by default, and on many handsets this feature is switched off by default, but many users find delivery reports a reliable tool for knowing that messages have not just been sent across the network, but have actually arrived at the destination handset. It can be especially useful if you are trying to contact someone who uses more than one mobile number on a regular basis.
Three are now joining Orange UK who also charges 1p for delivery of text message delivery reports on selected tariffs.
Section 4 - "Variations to your agreement or prices"
"4.1 We may vary any of the terms of your agreement, including our Packages, on the following basis:
(a) any updated Packages and new terms will be available on our website and on request to Three Customer services;
(b) we will let you know at least one month in advance if we decide to:
(i) discontinue your Package; or
(ii) make any variations to your agreement which are likely to be of detriment to you; or
(iii) increase the fixed periodic charges for your Package (if applicable) by an amount which is more than the percentage increase in the Retail Prices Index Figure (or any future equivalent) in any twelve month period.
So we have two problems here:
1) Delivery reports were not priced - so Three UK can't simply start charging whatever they want. As they said on their terms and conditions, it cannot be more than the percentage in the Retail Prices Index Figure - which is 5.2%. Basically, if you take 5.2% of 0 (zero), it adds up to zero again.
2) You said on your terms and conditions that they would tell us with at least one month notice that changes would be made. As I received a text message on 19/05/2011 - they cannot start charging me on the 6th June as it would not be one month notice.
So there you have it. Write to them. Swear at them. It's a rip off. I am not a heavy user and I don't think this is a right thing to do to customers. Make your right prevail.