I’ve heard about paying more for things you need. But how about paying more for things you: 1) don’t need; 2) don’t want; 3) don’t know about?

According to CTV news today, Bell and TELUS will soon be increasing the rates their wireless customers pay for incoming text messages. As I understand it, the hike in incoming text messaging rates to 15 cents from will impact those who don’t have texting bundled into their existing plans.

There’s a tonne of chatter about this out there already…I enjoyed leisurely scrolling through some of the ‘rather direct’ opinions and stories at bluelikeyou, like Ardvark’s:

From the sounds of this Bell and Telus are now actively encouraging cellphone spam as it is to their financial benefit if more spam occurs.

Here is an interesting and I bet legal angle they could now play. What is really stopping Bell from now spamming the cell phones of people without bundles telling them they should sign up for a text bundle to save the $.15 that THIS text has just cost you?

I know a law exists where you cannot mail someone something they did not ask for and then bill them for it, why does this not apply to unsolicited text messages?

What I think is shocking is that customers who ‘don’t necessarily know what they don’t know’ and may not keep up to speed on their billing detail every month will most likely see their bills increase (to the extent the receive text messages, that is).

One could also jump to the conclusion that this will probably cause greater movement amongst providers to find the best rates and get the best service. But…at what cost? Breaking a cell phone contract is about as pleasant as getting a filling at the dentist without freezing.

The heat is about to turn up in the wireless kitchen,

darren