Sending a text overseas with RCS messaging.

[Fatboy71]

Occasionally a friend of mine who lives in the UK, travels overseas (Spain, Turkey usually) and I was wondering now that RCS messaging has been enabled with iOS 18, if sending a text to someone who is overseas will this still incur a charge?

Thanks. 

[Alex_H · Accepted solution]

Hi @Fatboy71,

There would be no charge for messaging back and forth over RCS as it would just be like any other internet messaging service. However if your friend's number is a UK one, there would be no charge for you sending a SMS text to them anyway. Even though they are overseas its still counts as a UK to UK text if they have a UK number. There is no charge from us for receiving a text message when abroad either. 

Texts to a non UK number is what would count as an international text and be chargeable. If you are worried about any outside of allowance charges you can always setup a £0 spend cap as well to block them How Do I Set Up and Manage Spend Cap? | Mobile Help | EE

Alex

[Fatboy71]

Thanks very much @Alex_H  for the help its much appreciated. 

When you say "Even though they are overseas its still counts as a UK to UK text if they have a UK number. There is no charge from us for receiving a text message when abroad either"

Does the above apply even if they were staying somewhere outside of Europe as well with regards to there being no charge to me for sending a text message to them over RCS?

[Chris_B]

@Fatboy71  There is no charge for sending a text to uk number that is abroad anywhere.   Provided you have a text allowance, same with iMessage and RCS.  Both iMessage and RSC use data not your text allowance.     RCS is basically a data messaging service like iMessage/what’s app.   

[Fatboy71]

Thanks very much for the help @Chris_B  appreciate it. I never realised RCS used data to send, I was aware iMessage used data, but not RCS. Thanks for providing that useful bit of info. 

I have unlimited texts on my sim only plan. Not sure if that makes any difference?

[Chris_B]

@Fatboy71  Even via text you’ll not be charged to send a text to a UK number that is anywhere abroad. 

[Fatboy71]

Thanks for all the help, appreciate it 🙂

[KingRich]

I would like to comment and say you're all wrong. I have been charged 89p to send an RMS message to Mum in the UK, and I live in the UK. I was testing this feature as I'd usually use WhatsApp. 

 I spoke to an agent and they confirmed this with me. I was also connected to WiFi at the time, too. 

so, I informed them that I would be letting others know, so they do not get taken advantage off. 

[Ali_A]

Hi @KingRich 

RCS messaging is not available if either the sender or recipient doesn't have the service activated. Messages will be sent as SMS / MMS instead. 

MMS is a chargeable service. You can find out more at How to send a Photo Message

Ali

[KingRich]

If what you are saying is valid, then explain to me why I was charged 89p instead of 55p, which is the rate of MMS.