Comments on: How-To: Hack for unlimited SMS Messaging for T-Mobile

By: S. Ella Haxor

S. Ella Haxor — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:12:36 +0000

Just tried this as a “what the hell” on GoPhone (AT&T/Cingular prepaid) Nokia 2610, enabling Messaging Settings (Text Messaging) to send via “packet data” (GPRS) and enabling “always on” in Packet Data menu. DID NOT WORK; this loophole apparently is CONFIRMED CLOSED. The “G” (GPRS) symbol, which was showing as available prior to sending the test txt, was crossed out (indicating disabled) when sending, and immediately came back online afterwards. A check of my account balance shows a deduction of 20 cents. :( So it seems AT&T disabled it at the network level by rerouting SMS transmissions thru GSM regardless of set preferences, even though the settings are available on the phone menu (not crippled/removed like T-Mobile is infamous for). However, for some overseas providers who may not have caught on to the loophole and who offer cheap data rates (cheaper than their SMS), it may still work. Better still if you have flat-rate!
Another option, for very cheap SMS which DOES (or did) work for me was to use Nimbuzz (a free mobile IM client) so as to use the internet connection with it’s per-kB rate to send SMS (which are much less than 1 kB). AT&T charges 0.5 cents per kB on prepaid versus 20 cents per standard SMS. To confirm that not too much data would be transferred upon log-on to Nimbuzz (which would have rendered the hack useless), I tested this using Nimbuzz Lite version (which would minimize the amount of data overhead by eliminating many unneeded options), and found that it cost about 20 cents to log on, but thereafter I was indeed getting SMS back and forth for only 0.5 cents each! So as long as the user maintains the Nimbuzz connection, the 20 cent fee will only be charged once upon log on (comparable to one standard outgoing SMS) and thereafter all messages sent during that session will be a fraction of the cost! After a lengthy back-and-forth texting session with my gf, I found I was only charged about 30 cents, 20 of which was incurred during Nimbuzz log-on data transfer, and the remainder for all the texts sent and received! Unfortunately , this hack stopped working after a couple days. I could not log on to Nimbuzz at all, and nothing was changed, settings or otherwise. Using different phones, but the same SIM, with the same dismal results, I determined that it’s likely AT&T caught on to what I was doing and blocked all attempts to access Nimbuzz servers using this account. :( I determined that it was not device-based (locking out a particular IMEI) because I tested using multiple phones. So, go ahead and try it but BE WARNED: YMMV and you do risk being forever locked out of using Nimbuzz on a given account (I didn’t care, but you might). Perhaps try with T-Mobile; maybe they will be less dastardly. ;) I do have other SIMs that I could use to get around this, but of course, each one may only work for a few days until locked out. Another possible hack if this happens to you is – if your phone offers it in the menu – to try different GPRS access points, or different ports (perhaps only one port or access point is blocked). I have not tested this yet.
Again, if you have flat-rate or very low -cost per kB data on a foreign provider, this may be a viable long-term option.

By: Clipton

Clipton — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:34:03 +0000

does this also work for the IM features……….

By: jay

jay — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:10:54 +0000

how do i change the seting on my phone to get unlimited text?

By: elle

elle — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:13:03 +0000

does this work for black berry pearl? if so HOW?
pls let me know because i have 400 text messages and i want to have the unlimited one but my mom doesnt wanna get it for me.
sooo help is needed.

thanks.
:]

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:59:29 +0000

How do you get to the sms and change it for unlimited text?!

By: Serenity-4

Serenity-4 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:49:31 +0000

Hi Serenity, how to get to gprs? Also, does it work on sony ericsson W300i? Thanks.

By: Serenity

Serenity — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:37:05 +0000

goodness, do u people understand when Derek says, THE LOOPHOLE IS FKN CLOSED!!!! what part of that do u not understand?! QUIT ASKING DEREK HOW TO GET TO THE GSM/GPRS & STOP GIVING HIM UR PHONE MODEL, THERE’S NO FKNG POINT!! they sealed the loophole, so stop asking for unlimited texting! I CAN SEE Y HE STOPPED WRITING ON HERE! i know that whoever is about to post a comment underneath mine will see mine, so take the time & read this!!! IT’S CLOSED, CLOSED FOR GOOD.

By: Jess_Dee_baybee

Jess_Dee_baybee — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:40:32 +0000

How do i change tha sending options from the default GSM to GPRS and making sure that GPRS is always ONLINE.
i have a T-Mobile sony ericsson W300i?

By: Jmac

Jmac — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:36:39 +0000

im trying to get unlimited texting for my t-mobile to go phone.I try the method stated but it doesnt work can someone help me???

By: jon

jon — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:20:11 +0000

i tryed that center number on a fresh new sim card and it still says insuficiant funds what do you thinks wrong