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"Whoa there, didn't these just go up not long ago? Indeed they did, but in the fast-paced, money-grubbing world we call home, two price bumps spaced a year apart are sadly par for the course. AT&amp;amp;T has started informing customers that unless they're subscribed to a messaging plan, they'll be paying 5 cents more for both text messages and picture / video messages -- now up to 20 and 30 cents per, respectively. The change takes effect March 30, so we'd recommend you either tell all your peeps to cut it out with the messaging or sign up with a package by then. Follow the break for AT&amp;amp;T's full manifesto.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]AT&amp;amp;T will increase the price on the Messaging (Text/IM &amp;amp; Picture/Video) Pay Per Use (PPU) features for new and existing customers on March 30, 2008. While the price increase impacts the Pay Per Use customers who tend to be light messaging users, our customers who have purchased messaging packages or MEdia Bundles will not be impacted. All of our customers will continue to be provided our best-in-class products, services, and support. Customers will be notified in advance of the price increase. Critical Information:The following pricing change will be effective in the billing systems on March 30, 2008:Text/Instant Messaging PPU Price:Picture/Video Messaging PPU Price:Current price: $0.15/messageNew price: $0.20/messageCurrent price: $0.25/messageNew price: $0.30/messageMessaging PPU prices will increase on March 30, 2008. Any message sent or received on or after March 30, 2008 will be charged $.20 for text/instant messages and $.30 for picture/video messages. Customer Notification:Existing customers will be notified via a bill message beginning with bill cycles closing on January 16.Note: Customers will receive invoices beginning the week of January 21.Below is the message that will appear on the bills:Messaging Pay Per Use Rate Change NotificationEffective 3/30/08, AT&amp;amp;T will charge 20&amp;cent; for text/instant messages &amp;amp; 30&amp;cent; for picture/video messages sent or received on a pay-per-use basis. If you already subscribe to a Messaging Package or Media Bundle, there is no change to your rate. By purchasing a Messaging Package, you can send and receive messages for as little as a 1&amp;cent; per message. Sign up and save at att.com/getmedia."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/26/atandt-boosting-pay-per-use-text-and-mms-rates-again/>