Are carriers trying to kill off their text plans?

The word on the web is that AT&T Wireless is dropping its monthly $10/1000 messages plan leaving only the $20 unlimited option.

With advanced feature phones and smartphones there is little reason left to  pay for a text plan at all. I do have a minimal texting plan with AT&T, but I use Google Voice for most of my texting. If I were faced with only a $20 option I think I'd be inclined to pass. Facebook's new messaging app joins a bevy of third party messaging solutions used by millions.

The size of data for an SMS text is minuscule compared with the bandwidth required to make a call. It would seem to be a way for carriers to free up bandwidth.

Text messages are data which smartphone users already pay for.

I'm surprised we consumers have not applied more pressure on carriers to provide FREE texting plans. The cost for a carrier is insignificant and the monthly charges are pretty much legacy fees. It is a bit like still paying AOL for an email account that you can get for free at aol.com. It is still happening.

Understandably, carriers would be reluctant to pass on such easy revenue, but if a carrier could support a free option of just 100 SMS messages per month it would get the attention of frugal smartphone users.

Here's a New Year's resolution for the ages: No more cell phones while driving...talking, texting, playing games...whatever people do on their phones. The versatility of our gizmos has outrun common sense.

On three recent mornings in a row, headed downtown to work, I got behind people at every stoplight who were looking down and clearly sending text messages, even though that's now illegal in North Carolina. Others...why do they always seem to be people driving these big tank-like vehicles...were deep in conversation while lights went through complete cycles. 

It was only a blink ago that the cell phone phenom hit, and it seemed like a harmless, even a good, idea. In fact, it is a very good idea in terms of using it as an emergency connection after car trouble or an accident or when a friend or family member is in the hospital, or when one has children who are driving or moving around on their own. And, yes, when someone's out of town, etc. The more sophisticated phones that allow for Internet connections, etc., are beyond my capabilities right now, but I might join up some day.

But driving a vehicle is a full-time job. My father wasn't even crazy about conversation in the car...thought it was distracting. 

So take the vow. Drive while driving. Talk while parked, or pull off the road. 

Our next installment: Talking while walking. Not happy about that either.