Charges for pictures in messages

[hemupa]

I've been charged on my latest bill for sending 'pictures' in messages, which is apparently outside my plan.  I've checked the dates and telephone numbers and I added a smiley face to one.  The other didn't have any pictures on it, although I did put my email address in it, which is underlined.  (The reply from my friend had a picture in it - I surely haven't been charged for that?).

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@hemupa 

If your character count goes over 480 characters you will be charged for an MMS, so potentially yes, one smiley could cause it Guide: Accidental MMS Sending and How to Avoid it 

[djbsuffolk]

@MI5 just read the article - I didn't realise a smiley takes up so many characters - you live and learn! 

[MI5]

They've caught out many people.
You must keep an eye ob the character count to be safe.

[jonsie]

You certainly won't be charged for receiving one although it will use data to download any photo messages.

[MI5]

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@jonsie wrote:

You certainly won't be charged for receiving one although it will use data to download any photo messages.

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Yes they use the old wap protocol which fortunately means it doesn't come out of your data allowance.

[hemupa]

Hi, The same thing has happened to me again as in my previous message ie I've been charged for 'media' on a message.  I've found the message in question which didn't have a picture/video/smiley included but probably did go over the allowed number of characters.  I had a look at your link below which explains this very well.  However, is it possible to avoid the system converting after 3 SMS limits in one message to an MMS?  I guess what I'm asking is, can you send one within the limit, then send another to the same number without it being a cumulative thing?

[MI5]

@hemupa 

As long as each sent message is under 480 characters, you'll be fine.

[hemupa]

Thank you!

[MI5]

No problem