[bydo]

There was only one AT&T, and to connect a third-party phone to their network still required paying AT&T for access. There are dozens of digital messaging alternatives to iMessage, and Beeper doesn't appear to be interested in paying any of them.

[vlovich123]

That’s one interpretation. The other is that Apple doesn’t offer a way to pay for access. I would love to see legislation forcing the opening of protocols & force allowing compatible clients that aren’t abusive. I miss things like Pidgin/Trillium etc where you could just have the 1 app & not worry about what platform your friends were on. The current state of affairs is a major step back from the 90s/early 00s.