[untog]

This is one of the reasons I stayed on a PAYG plan for as long as humanly possible. My burning resentment for my monthly plan has not yet subsided.

Amongst the irritation: it costs me to receive text messages. Right now I have an unlimited text plan, but it's a waste of money, since I have Google Voice and text using it. But I also receive spam texts to my main cellphone number- so if I cancelled my text plan I would actually be paying money to receive spam. Mind-bending.

[pavel_lishin]

Being charged to receive texts never made sense to me. You're being charged for something you have zero control over - it would be like being charged per piece of mail you receive.

Not to mention, someone who didn't like you could seriously ruin your month just by sending you a couple of text messages a day. There are services that let you do it for free online, aren't there?

[dhimes]

Not to mention, someone who didn't like you could seriously ruin your month just by sending you a couple of text messages a day

Especially if you are traveling internationally. It really doesn't even have to be someone who doesn't like you. One woman (second-hand story) was traveling abroad when her son did something remarkable in an athletic contest. Well-meaning friends texted her pictures! $1200 US.

[esrauch]

You can disable text messaging to your phone entirely, at least on Verizon.

[RexRollman]

I believe that the carriers should be forced to a "sender pays" model for SMS or be required to give people the ability to opt out of them.