Vodafone webtext being discontinued.

Stewball

Logged into my Vodafone account today and had this notice.

Important Notice: Service Discontinuation

After careful consideration, we have made the decision to discontinue our Webtext service as of [Date], 30 days from today

Anyone know if the other networks are following suit?

homer911

They have kept that quiet! It was very useful for anyone on PAYG who needs to send a SMS - not everyone is on WhatsApp

DopeTech

I guess it’s a dated technology now. While not everyone is on WhatsApp, the people that aren’t are definitely in a tiny minority. Only a matter of time before the others follow I’d say. 48, gomo etc never had them from what I remember and people survive on those networks.

Ten Pin

"Anyone know if the other networks are following suit?"

Eir PAYG webtext ended a couple of years ago.
Three's webtext still works so might be worth getting a SIM if you use webtext regularly.
Vodafone are also raising the out of plan SMS charge from 22c to 30c from October 15th.
Three "only" charge 20c for SMS (as of August 2024).

caviardreams

Raging about this - so handy for certain things. 30 cent a text is mad

thebo

Same I use this to text parents as they using old phone no WhatsApp. Haven't plan on VF as use three instead for data but vf is main number.

Webtext was handy save credit. 30c just to text back a two word msg reply "OK".

I didn't get a notice on the mobile app about it yet.

Stewball

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122602290#Comment_122602290

I logged in on a laptop and the notice was there waiting for me.

Ten Pin

Are PAYG and Bill pay both impacted?

Wonder if everyone is getting the same end date (9 Oct)?

Xugoboss

its a shame yes, was useful in some situations. I recommend to use Vodafone X, its 20 euro every 4 weeks, 100 min calls, 100 text messages and unlimited data. oh and everything is unlimited during weekends. it totally suffices my needs and the best part is the unlimited data. been using this for years and will never switch.

pizzahead77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122645210#Comment_122645210

Vodafone have discontinued the X plan

Stewball

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122645210#Comment_122645210

This is an odd post.

Account created 4 minutes before the post…

Spam/bot??

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122602290#Comment_122602290

Webtext was handy save credit. 30c just to text back a two word msg reply "OK".

Mad thing is that as far as I am aware, a text to a mobile in a different EU country is capped at under 8c under EU law! So 4X the cost to send a text to your buddy on the same vodafone network as to send a text to some obscure network in Latvia for example.

thebo

The webtext is gone from the mobile app today.

Is there any services that can send sms cheaper from your own number?

30c is ridiculous

Ten Pin

VOIP services charge 5c + VAT for SMS. Minimum top up for a VOIP account is €10 + VAT.
Sipdiscount is one of the many VOIP sellers that are all run by Dellmont with similar SMS charges.

Vodafone have a service called Bulktext that charges 5c per SMS but the minimum top up is €50 and it's more suited to businesses.

Three's webtext is still working so it might be worth getting a 3 PAYG SIM if you can eliminate recipient confusion from using a different number. Only downside is they have a default ad in the text window but the ad text can be easily deleted before sending.

thebo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122733439#Comment_122733439

Thanks. Do the VoIP send from your own number or is it a different number?

I have three sim also. The issue is mainly from receipents side as they have only free texts to Vodafone number so don't want them to be charged texting me on another number.

I could send msg using my three number but it would require an extra step for them to reply on my other Vodafone number. As there older and using a dumb phone extra steps can be confusing.

Do you know any VoIP that accept phone credit as payment as have some credit on three would be handy to use for it.

Ten Pin

VOIP (Dellmont) verify your number with a once off code when you set it up. Recipients see SMS as coming from your number on their standard SMS app (as normal).

Yolla (https://yollacalls.com/international-sms-texting/) might allow mobile credit to pay for it's service, they charge 15c per SMS.

Viber Out is another possibility but not sure of it's rates or mobile credit policy.

Quackster

Both Yolla and Viber Out topups can be purchased using mobile credit via Google Play Store.