SMS on public phones

I've seen this on a few phones (the regular flavour), but I haven't seen
any instructions or additional buttons. How do you use it?

I can't imagine that it will get very much use - given that 85% or so of
people have a mobile phone (wait a minute - do those stats take into
account all of you people that have a number of phones). I suppose it
might come in handy if the batteries on your phone are flat. Oh wait,
you can use it for prank calls too. And I assume at the moment, like the
fixed line SMS service it will be restricted to the Telstra network.

It would be a lot more useful if they added a keyboard. Too bad they
didn't introduce fixed line SMS years ago when it would have been useful
to more of us.

The pricing is curious. Odd that they've priced it less than the
connection fee and cheaper than the home service. At 20 cents it seems
to highlight just how much of a ripoff other SMS pricing is. Of course,
20 c for 160 chars is still a rip-off.

I think it will be a great way to p*ss people off waiting to use the
phone (and encourage more mobile usage?)


D.

"D. Dude" <xzzyxREMOVE@THIShotmail.com> wrote in message
news:42483601@news.rivernet.com.au...
> I've seen this on a few phones (the regular flavour), but I haven't seen
> any instructions or additional buttons. How do you use it?

Read the instructions on the phone

> I can't imagine that it will get very much use - given that 85% or so of>
>people have a mobile phone (wait a minute - do those stats take into
> account all of you people that have a number of phones). I suppose it

I think it takes into account SIO (services in operation), not phones
themselves.

Any particular person may have more than 1 SIO, 1 have one for work, 1 for
personal, 1 for SMS only, etc etc

> might come in handy if the batteries on your phone are flat. Oh wait,

Yes

> you can use it for prank calls too. And I assume at the moment, like the
> fixed line SMS service it will be restricted to the Telstra network.

Nope.

One thing you have to take into consideration, is that it can be a lot
handier to send an SMS than make a short fixed-to-mobile call from a
payphone.

In any instances, its just an additional functionality to a public phone.

Better to have it than not

>
> It would be a lot more useful if they added a keyboard. Too bad they
> didn't introduce fixed line SMS years ago when it would have been useful
> to more of us.
>
> The pricing is curious. Odd that they've priced it less than the
> connection fee and cheaper than the home service. At 20 cents it seems
> to highlight just how much of a ripoff other SMS pricing is. Of course,
> 20 c for 160 chars is still a rip-off.
>
> I think it will be a great way to p*ss people off waiting to use the
> phone (and encourage more mobile usage?)
>
>
> D.

Michael wrote:
> "D. Dude" <xzzyxREMOVE@THIShotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:42483601@news.rivernet.com.au...
>
>>I've seen this on a few phones (the regular flavour), but I haven't seen
>>any instructions or additional buttons. How do you use it?
>
>
> Read the instructions on the phone
>

I had some change with me the last time I passed an SMS enabled public
phone so I investigated further. There aren't any printed instructions
on the phone or the booth for that matter, that's why I asked here in
the first place.

Would it have really killed you to say: "Pick up the handset, put 20¢ or
more in, and follow the instructions on the display." I don't think its
obvious (and in my opinion a design flaw) that you need to pick up the
handset and decide what to do with it when you want to send an SMS
rather than make a call. If you think that I probably should have seen
the instructions on the phone the last time I made a call - well, no
most of the time I use free call numbers from public phones. BTW, it's a
public phone not a payphone - show some cultural integrity even if your
employer doesn't.

>
>>I can't imagine that it will get very much use - given that 85% or so of>
>>people have a mobile phone (wait a minute - do those stats take into
>>account all of you people that have a number of phones). I suppose it
>
>
> I think it takes into account SIO (services in operation), not phones
> themselves.
>
> Any particular person may have more than 1 SIO, 1 have one for work,
1 for
> personal, 1 for SMS only, etc etc

So that 85% figure could well be somewhat off? You don't disagree that
most people have a phone.

>...
>
>>you can use it for prank calls too. And I assume at the moment, like the
>>fixed line SMS service it will be restricted to the Telstra network.
>
>
> Nope.

Oh, that's odd - is the restriction with other fixed lines services
simply a business one then (and why doesn't the ACCC care?)

>
> One thing you have to take into consideration, is that it can be a lot
> handier to send an SMS than make a short fixed-to-mobile call from a
> payphone.

Yes, but not handier than using your own mobile to send an SMS - which
is why I suggested a keyboard is necessary. Perhaps this un-handiness is
why Telstra has chosen to price this lower than a SMS from a mobile.
And why the fancy phones with a keyboard have a more expensively priced SMS.

>
> In any instances, its just an additional functionality to a public phone.
>
> Better to have it than not
>
>

No, not if it increases the time I have to wait to use a public phone.
But oddly enough, I see that it may be able to increase mobile call
revenue. Since waiting time stats for public phones aren't monitored,
Telstra can look very good saying we've added this great new SMS
functionality, at low prices. If its popular it will cause displacement
of calls to mobiles and to a very small extent to other public phone
providers. It may also lower total public phone revenue giving Telstra
the justification to increase call costs from public phones (= more
displacement to mobiles) or remove the phone entirely.

Yes, if it can make marginal phones viable.

Cheers,

D.

Michael wrote:
> "D. Dude" <xzzyxREMOVE@THIShotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:42483601@news.rivernet.com.au...
>
>>I've seen this on a few phones (the regular flavour), but I haven't seen
>>any instructions or additional buttons. How do you use it?
>
>
> Read the instructions on the phone
>

I had some change with me the last time I passed an SMS enabled public
phone so I investigated further. There aren't any printed instructions
on the phone or the booth for that matter, that's why I asked here in
the first place.

Would it have really killed you to say: "Pick up the handset, put 20¢ or
more in, and follow the instructions on the display." I don't think its
obvious (and in my opinion a design flaw) that you need to pick up the
handset and decide what to do with it when you want to send an SMS
rather than make a call. If you think that I probably should have seen
the instructions on the phone the last time I made a call - well, no
most of the time I use free call numbers from public phones. BTW, it's a
public phone not a payphone - show some cultural integrity even if your
employer doesn't.

>
>>I can't imagine that it will get very much use - given that 85% or so of>
>>people have a mobile phone (wait a minute - do those stats take into
>>account all of you people that have a number of phones). I suppose it
>
>
> I think it takes into account SIO (services in operation), not phones
> themselves.
>
> Any particular person may have more than 1 SIO, 1 have one for work,
1 for
> personal, 1 for SMS only, etc etc

So that 85% figure could well be somewhat off? You don't disagree that
most people have a phone.

>...
>
>>you can use it for prank calls too. And I assume at the moment, like the
>>fixed line SMS service it will be restricted to the Telstra network.
>
>
> Nope.

Oh, that's odd - is the restriction with other fixed lines services
simply a business one then (and why doesn't the ACCC care?)

>
> One thing you have to take into consideration, is that it can be a lot
> handier to send an SMS than make a short fixed-to-mobile call from a
> payphone.

Yes, but not handier than using your own mobile to send an SMS - which
is why I suggested a keyboard is necessary. Perhaps this un-handiness is
why Telstra has chosen to price this lower than a SMS from a mobile.
And why the fancy phones with a keyboard have a more expensively priced SMS.

>
> In any instances, its just an additional functionality to a public phone.
>
> Better to have it than not
>
>

No, not if it increases the time I have to wait to use a public phone.
But oddly enough, I see that it may be able to increase mobile call
revenue. Since waiting time stats for public phones aren't monitored,
Telstra can look very good saying we've added this great new SMS
functionality, at low prices. If its popular it will cause displacement
of calls to mobiles and to a very small extent to other public phone
providers. It may also lower total public phone revenue giving Telstra
the justification to increase call costs from public phones (= more
displacement to mobiles) or remove the phone entirely.

Yes, if it can make marginal phones viable.

Cheers,

D.

> >>I've seen this on a few phones (the regular flavour), but I haven't seen
> >>any instructions or additional buttons. How do you use it?
> >
> > Read the instructions on the phone
> >
> I had some change with me the last time I passed an SMS enabled public
> phone so I investigated further. There aren't any printed instructions
> on the phone or the booth for that matter, that's why I asked here in
> the first place.

Next time pick up the phone and try, its not that hard to function in
modern-day australia

> Would it have really killed you to say: "Pick up the handset, put 20¢ or
> more in, and follow the instructions on the display." I don't think its

Well, you finally worked it out?

> obvious (and in my opinion a design flaw) that you need to pick up the
> handset and decide what to do with it when you want to send an SMS

Just like any other public phone

> most of the time I use free call numbers from public phones. BTW, it's a
> public phone not a payphone - show some cultural integrity even if your

Its a public phone, its a payphone

They are both the same thing.

Dont be a wanker

> > In any instances, its just an additional functionality to a public
phone.
> >
> > Better to have it than not
> >
> No, not if it increases the time I have to wait to use a public phone.

You dont get a say on that, thanks very much

Most public phones are under-utilised, and if Telstra is privatised, a lot
will be ripped out, and so they should be.

Telstra should, and is, doing what they can, to increase utilisation of
them.

IF YOU DONT USE THEM MORE OFTEN THEY WILL GO

Piss orf with your "voice calls are superior to SMS" attitude. Wanker

> >>I've seen this on a few phones (the regular flavour), but I haven't seen
> >>any instructions or additional buttons. How do you use it?
> >
> > Read the instructions on the phone
> >
> I had some change with me the last time I passed an SMS enabled public
> phone so I investigated further. There aren't any printed instructions
> on the phone or the booth for that matter, that's why I asked here in
> the first place.

Next time pick up the phone and try, its not that hard to function in
modern-day australia

> Would it have really killed you to say: "Pick up the handset, put 20¢ or
> more in, and follow the instructions on the display." I don't think its

Well, you finally worked it out?

> obvious (and in my opinion a design flaw) that you need to pick up the
> handset and decide what to do with it when you want to send an SMS

Just like any other public phone

> most of the time I use free call numbers from public phones. BTW, it's a
> public phone not a payphone - show some cultural integrity even if your

Its a public phone, its a payphone

They are both the same thing.

Dont be a wanker

> > In any instances, its just an additional functionality to a public
phone.
> >
> > Better to have it than not
> >
> No, not if it increases the time I have to wait to use a public phone.

You dont get a say on that, thanks very much

Most public phones are under-utilised, and if Telstra is privatised, a lot
will be ripped out, and so they should be.

Telstra should, and is, doing what they can, to increase utilisation of
them.

IF YOU DONT USE THEM MORE OFTEN THEY WILL GO

Piss orf with your "voice calls are superior to SMS" attitude. Wanker

Michael wrote:

>>I don't think its obvious (and in my opinion a design flaw) that you need to pick up the
>>handset and decide what to do with it when you want to send an SMS
>
>
> Just like any other public phone
>
>
Why do I need a mouthpiece and and ear piece to send an SMS?

>>most of the time I use free call numbers from public phones. BTW, it's a
>>public phone not a payphone - show some cultural integrity even if your
>
>
> Its a public phone, its a payphone
>
> They are both the same thing.
>
> Dont be a wanker

The latter is a seppo-ism that we don't need.
>
>
>>>In any instances, its just an additional functionality to a public phone.
>
>>>Better to have it than not

>>No, not if it increases the time I have to wait to use a public phone.
>
>
> You dont get a say on that, thanks very much

No, of course not, why would Telstra listen to customers.

> Most public phones are under-utilised, and if Telstra is privatised, a lot
> will be ripped out, and so they should be.

Bugger community service obligations, maximise profit, eh?
Do you have any reference to usage figures? My impression was that the
cost of vandalism was the biggest problem wrt to public phones, not the
demand. Yes, thinking about it, poor servicing of public phones by
Telstra will reduce utilisation. I wish I had 20c for every time I saw
a public phone so full of change I couldn't put any money in it (wait a
minute...)

>
> Telstra should, and is, doing what they can, to increase utilisation of
> them.

You want to increase profitability - which you don't increase by people
who hog the phone longer with their 20c SMS than people who want to make
a telephone call @ 40 cents or more. Telstra should have charged at
least 25 cents for a SMS from a public phone to avoid any diversion to
mobile revenues. I can't understand why they haven't followed the logic
used for setting SMS prices on the mobile network, i.e. equivalent to
the connection charge, pricing it at 40c. To me it suggests they know
the idea sucks so they are pricing it to encourage usage as much as they
can without hitting mobile revenue too much.

Want to increase utilisation? - easy, make 'em free. More seriously,
I'd like someone to introduce an SMS or WAP based public phone locator
application - preferably free of access charges but tolerable for
WAP/GPRS. If you can't find 'em you can't use them.

I have no problem with Telstra making better use of public phone sites
but I can't see how you going to make a poorly utilised phone a goer
just by adding SMS to it - unless it is in an area with a high number of
financially disadvantaged mutes.

>
> IF YOU DONT USE THEM MORE OFTEN THEY WILL GO

Duh.
>
> Piss orf with your "voice calls are superior to SMS" attitude. Wanker
>

Are you sure you don't work in customer service?

No such attitude expressed or implied. Each is superior for particular
applications, and people shouldn't be forced into choosing between
public/private fixed/mobile by this sort of strategic pricing (for what
nefarious end).

Yes, I'm concerned with any new offering on a public phone that
increases waiting time for what is a scarce resource, particularly
something that doesn't look very profitable giving Telstra more reason
to remove public phones. However, I think it probably won't prove all
that popular and therefore just be another waste of shareholder funds.

D.

Michael wrote:

>>I don't think its obvious (and in my opinion a design flaw) that you need to pick up the
>>handset and decide what to do with it when you want to send an SMS
>
>
> Just like any other public phone
>
>
Why do I need a mouthpiece and and ear piece to send an SMS?

>>most of the time I use free call numbers from public phones. BTW, it's a
>>public phone not a payphone - show some cultural integrity even if your
>
>
> Its a public phone, its a payphone
>
> They are both the same thing.
>
> Dont be a wanker

The latter is a seppo-ism that we don't need.
>
>
>>>In any instances, its just an additional functionality to a public phone.
>
>>>Better to have it than not

>>No, not if it increases the time I have to wait to use a public phone.
>
>
> You dont get a say on that, thanks very much

No, of course not, why would Telstra listen to customers.

> Most public phones are under-utilised, and if Telstra is privatised, a lot
> will be ripped out, and so they should be.

Bugger community service obligations, maximise profit, eh?
Do you have any reference to usage figures? My impression was that the
cost of vandalism was the biggest problem wrt to public phones, not the
demand. Yes, thinking about it, poor servicing of public phones by
Telstra will reduce utilisation. I wish I had 20c for every time I saw
a public phone so full of change I couldn't put any money in it (wait a
minute...)

>
> Telstra should, and is, doing what they can, to increase utilisation of
> them.

You want to increase profitability - which you don't increase by people
who hog the phone longer with their 20c SMS than people who want to make
a telephone call @ 40 cents or more. Telstra should have charged at
least 25 cents for a SMS from a public phone to avoid any diversion to
mobile revenues. I can't understand why they haven't followed the logic
used for setting SMS prices on the mobile network, i.e. equivalent to
the connection charge, pricing it at 40c. To me it suggests they know
the idea sucks so they are pricing it to encourage usage as much as they
can without hitting mobile revenue too much.

Want to increase utilisation? - easy, make 'em free. More seriously,
I'd like someone to introduce an SMS or WAP based public phone locator
application - preferably free of access charges but tolerable for
WAP/GPRS. If you can't find 'em you can't use them.

I have no problem with Telstra making better use of public phone sites
but I can't see how you going to make a poorly utilised phone a goer
just by adding SMS to it - unless it is in an area with a high number of
financially disadvantaged mutes.

>
> IF YOU DONT USE THEM MORE OFTEN THEY WILL GO

Duh.
>
> Piss orf with your "voice calls are superior to SMS" attitude. Wanker
>

Are you sure you don't work in customer service?

No such attitude expressed or implied. Each is superior for particular
applications, and people shouldn't be forced into choosing between
public/private fixed/mobile by this sort of strategic pricing (for what
nefarious end).

Yes, I'm concerned with any new offering on a public phone that
increases waiting time for what is a scarce resource, particularly
something that doesn't look very profitable giving Telstra more reason
to remove public phones. However, I think it probably won't prove all
that popular and therefore just be another waste of shareholder funds.

D.

D. Dud <xzzyxREMOVE@THIShotmail.com> wrote
in message news:4267aabd@news.rivernet.com.au...
> Michael wrote:
>
>>>I don't think its obvious (and in my opinion a design flaw) that you need to
>>>pick up the
>>>handset and decide what to do with it when you want to send an SMS
>>
>>
>> Just like any other public phone
>>
>>
> Why do I need a mouthpiece and and ear piece to send an SMS?
>
>>>most of the time I use free call numbers from public phones. BTW, it's a
>>>public phone not a payphone - show some cultural integrity even if your
>>
>>
>> Its a public phone, its a payphone
>>
>> They are both the same thing.
>>
>> Dont be a wanker

> The latter is a seppo-ism that we don't need.

Not a fucking clue, as always.

>>>>In any instances, its just an additional functionality to a public phone.
>>
>>>>Better to have it than not
>
>>>No, not if it increases the time I have to wait to use a public phone.
>>
>>
>> You dont get a say on that, thanks very much
>
> No, of course not, why would Telstra listen to customers.
>
>> Most public phones are under-utilised, and if Telstra is privatised, a lot
>> will be ripped out, and so they should be.
>
> Bugger community service obligations, maximise profit, eh?
> Do you have any reference to usage figures? My impression was that the
> cost of vandalism was the biggest problem wrt to public phones, not the
> demand. Yes, thinking about it, poor servicing of public phones by
> Telstra will reduce utilisation. I wish I had 20c for every time I saw
> a public phone so full of change I couldn't put any money in it (wait a
> minute...)
>
>>
>> Telstra should, and is, doing what they can, to increase utilisation of
>> them.
>
> You want to increase profitability - which you don't increase by people
> who hog the phone longer with their 20c SMS than people who want to make
> a telephone call @ 40 cents or more. Telstra should have charged at
> least 25 cents for a SMS from a public phone to avoid any diversion to
> mobile revenues. I can't understand why they haven't followed the logic
> used for setting SMS prices on the mobile network, i.e. equivalent to
> the connection charge, pricing it at 40c. To me it suggests they know
> the idea sucks so they are pricing it to encourage usage as much as they
> can without hitting mobile revenue too much.
>
> Want to increase utilisation? - easy, make 'em free. More seriously,
> I'd like someone to introduce an SMS or WAP based public phone locator
> application - preferably free of access charges but tolerable for
> WAP/GPRS. If you can't find 'em you can't use them.
>
> I have no problem with Telstra making better use of public phone sites
> but I can't see how you going to make a poorly utilised phone a goer
> just by adding SMS to it - unless it is in an area with a high number of
> financially disadvantaged mutes.
>
>>
>> IF YOU DONT USE THEM MORE OFTEN THEY WILL GO
>
> Duh.
>>
>> Piss orf with your "voice calls are superior to SMS" attitude. Wanker
>>
>
> Are you sure you don't work in customer service?
>
> No such attitude expressed or implied. Each is superior for particular
> applications, and people shouldn't be forced into choosing between
> public/private fixed/mobile by this sort of strategic pricing (for what
> nefarious end).
>
> Yes, I'm concerned with any new offering on a public phone that
> increases waiting time for what is a scarce resource, particularly
> something that doesn't look very profitable giving Telstra more reason
> to remove public phones. However, I think it probably won't prove all
> that popular and therefore just be another waste of shareholder funds.
>
> D.

D. Dud <xzzyxREMOVE@THIShotmail.com> wrote
in message news:4267aabd@news.rivernet.com.au...
> Michael wrote:
>
>>>I don't think its obvious (and in my opinion a design flaw) that you need to
>>>pick up the
>>>handset and decide what to do with it when you want to send an SMS
>>
>>
>> Just like any other public phone
>>
>>
> Why do I need a mouthpiece and and ear piece to send an SMS?
>
>>>most of the time I use free call numbers from public phones. BTW, it's a
>>>public phone not a payphone - show some cultural integrity even if your
>>
>>
>> Its a public phone, its a payphone
>>
>> They are both the same thing.
>>
>> Dont be a wanker

> The latter is a seppo-ism that we don't need.

Not a fucking clue, as always.

>>>>In any instances, its just an additional functionality to a public phone.
>>
>>>>Better to have it than not
>
>>>No, not if it increases the time I have to wait to use a public phone.
>>
>>
>> You dont get a say on that, thanks very much
>
> No, of course not, why would Telstra listen to customers.
>
>> Most public phones are under-utilised, and if Telstra is privatised, a lot
>> will be ripped out, and so they should be.
>
> Bugger community service obligations, maximise profit, eh?
> Do you have any reference to usage figures? My impression was that the
> cost of vandalism was the biggest problem wrt to public phones, not the
> demand. Yes, thinking about it, poor servicing of public phones by
> Telstra will reduce utilisation. I wish I had 20c for every time I saw
> a public phone so full of change I couldn't put any money in it (wait a
> minute...)
>
>>
>> Telstra should, and is, doing what they can, to increase utilisation of
>> them.
>
> You want to increase profitability - which you don't increase by people
> who hog the phone longer with their 20c SMS than people who want to make
> a telephone call @ 40 cents or more. Telstra should have charged at
> least 25 cents for a SMS from a public phone to avoid any diversion to
> mobile revenues. I can't understand why they haven't followed the logic
> used for setting SMS prices on the mobile network, i.e. equivalent to
> the connection charge, pricing it at 40c. To me it suggests they know
> the idea sucks so they are pricing it to encourage usage as much as they
> can without hitting mobile revenue too much.
>
> Want to increase utilisation? - easy, make 'em free. More seriously,
> I'd like someone to introduce an SMS or WAP based public phone locator
> application - preferably free of access charges but tolerable for
> WAP/GPRS. If you can't find 'em you can't use them.
>
> I have no problem with Telstra making better use of public phone sites
> but I can't see how you going to make a poorly utilised phone a goer
> just by adding SMS to it - unless it is in an area with a high number of
> financially disadvantaged mutes.
>
>>
>> IF YOU DONT USE THEM MORE OFTEN THEY WILL GO
>
> Duh.
>>
>> Piss orf with your "voice calls are superior to SMS" attitude. Wanker
>>
>
> Are you sure you don't work in customer service?
>
> No such attitude expressed or implied. Each is superior for particular
> applications, and people shouldn't be forced into choosing between
> public/private fixed/mobile by this sort of strategic pricing (for what
> nefarious end).
>
> Yes, I'm concerned with any new offering on a public phone that
> increases waiting time for what is a scarce resource, particularly
> something that doesn't look very profitable giving Telstra more reason
> to remove public phones. However, I think it probably won't prove all
> that popular and therefore just be another waste of shareholder funds.
>
> D.