MONTREAL - Rogers Wireless will start charging 15 cents for each incoming text for cellphone customers who don't have message plans, starting July 7.
Spokeswoman Liz Hamilton said Tuesday that Rogers is falling in line with other major carriers in North America, including Bell and Telus, that already levy this kind of charge for text messages.
"If you take a look at SMS usage, it's increasing at an exponential rate," Hamilton said from Toronto. "It's a texting world."
Hamilton said only a small number of Rogers Wireless messaging base will be affected because most messages are sent to customers who have text messaging included in their cellphone plans or bundles.
"This change is to align our message to usage trends and common industry practices."
She added that users won't be charged for spam text messages, and also that users of the discount brand Fido won't be affected.
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association says that 76 million text messages are sent daily in Canada.
Bell Mobility and Telus Mobility announced last summer that they would charge cellphone customers not covered by calling plans 15 cents for each incoming text message.
