Free international SMS (KDDI au) - with a catch...

[BigInJapan]

KDDI au today announced a trial campaign for free international SMS messages (short messages sent directly to a phone # rather than an address).
The free trial period is from 11/15/2012 - 1/15/2013. SMS messages are normally 100 yen to send (free to receive).
Here's the catch - this campaign is only for users applying to use international SMS for the first time, AND - you only get to send THREE messages for free (within the trial period). You will be billed for these three SMS, but they will be subtracted from your Feb. 2013 bill.

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Details of the campaign (J): http://www.001.kddi.com/cpsms/
SMS JPN info page: http://www.001.kddi.com/sms/
SMS ENG info page: http://www.001.kddi.com/en/sms/index.html

[matsuki]

setup a google voice # in the US and have unlimited SMS to there for free for eVaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[Coligny]

So basically, that's a 300y value of hot air ?

[BigInJapan]

setup a google voice # in the US and have unlimited SMS to there for free for eVaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I actually used Google Voice to make a few calls, and send/receive SMS while it was free (unti my free credit ran out).
However, I checked my G account, and I can see no option for adding a number (in North America).
Apparently this page should display that option: https://www.google.com/voice/#phones
Choko, how did you set your number up? Did you use a VPN (or hotspotshield.com or something)?
I'm wondering if this option is not available outside North America?

So basically, that's a 300y value of hot air ?

Yep, it's just a con to get you signed up to use SMS, then get dinged 100 yen for every one after #3.

[matsuki]

setup a google voice # in the US and have unlimited SMS to there for free for eVaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I actually used Google Voice to make a few calls, and send/receive SMS while it was free (unti my free credit ran out).
However, I checked my G account, and I can see no option for adding a number (in North America).
Apparently this page should display that option: https://www.google.com/voice/#phones
Choko, how did you set your number up? Did you use a VPN (or hotspotshield.com or something)?
I'm wondering if this option is not available outside North America?

So basically, that's a 300y value of hot air ?

Yep, it's just a con to get you signed up to use SMS, then get dinged 100 yen for every one after #3.

http://www.labnol.org/internet/get-goog ... ber/18425/



It's great as I can SMS anywhere free with a net connection.