this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2023
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I haven't sent an SMS since like 2013 or something like that. Couldn't care less about this blue green controversy, my use of SMS is receiving 2fa codes and spam.
Yeah, this is very much a weird USA issue.
I often only have internet access - no sms (receive only), no calls. Don't want to pay for it, don't need it.
iMessage is probably a USA issue, however everyone using WhatsApp is not a solution either.
It's a proprietary application controlled by Meta, we need an open standard so no Big Tech controls everyone's messages.
I didn't say "WhatsApp" once, so... Sure. That's what xmpp is for, or whatever is currently in vogue.
In any case, it doesn't involve smses.
Signal is the way to go.
It's hard to get phone service without unlimited SMS in the USA. Using it is still worse than most alternatives so I do find it weird that people aren't adopting chat apps more eagerly.
You'd have to convince everyone to switch to it and most Americans are going to have the reaction of: "Why would I want another fucking app that I have to make another damn account for when I have something that does pretty much what I want built in"
Activity groups will usually use some other service for member messaging (ex: my D&D group uses Discord for campaign discussion even though we all have eachothers phone numbers, a outdoor activity groups like a hiking group may use a facebook page, etc.)
It's not necessary to convince everyone to switch. Even one person switching from SMS to an internet-based chat app means a better chat experience with that person.
I've had multiple apps to be able to talk to everyone I know since about 1998, so I find the strong resistance you're describing bizarre. I have encountered it a few times though.
Right, nearly all US carrier and MVNO plans have offered unlimited SMS and MMS for years now. It's free, it's built-in, and it's easy. For most, it doesn't matter if chat apps are better, so it's been very difficult to convince people you chat with to switch to a different app.