One of the really nice features introduced to us in iOS 5.0 is iMessages. Besides the obvious benefits that this new feature brings to us, it carries as well the ability to send unlimited text messages (for free) to anyone with iOS 5.0. Most already know this and think that since AT&T now forces us to pay for unlimited SMS messages (unless you are grandfathered in to a lesser plan) this doesn’t mean a whole lot. But one thing that I think many have over looked is the benefit while sending an international SMS.
Because iMessages go over ’s servers and not your carriers server, they are free and unlimited. The greed of the carriers has led them to charge incredible rates for something that amounts to less than an email. Still to this day, even if you have an unlimited SMS plan, carriers are ripping you off whenever you send an international SMS by charging high rates. Depending on the type of message, the cost can be $1 or more per message. But thankfully with iMessages you can now stay in touch with friends and family abroad without the added cost.
When sending the iMessage, just be sure to send it using + and then the country code and then the phone number. Using 011 or any other format will not work unless used from your address book. For example if sending to France: (since I have friends and family there) I would put: +33 and then the full phone number including area code.
* WARNING: it is absolutely essential when sending iMessages internationally that you verify that you are using iMessages instead of SMS to avoid a huge surprise bill at the end of the month. Of course this is as simple as ensuring that the bubble is blue, every time (yours, not theirs) and if done properly, the user will always be replying via iMessage as well. For me, I have my ‘caller id’ setup as an email address which guarantees that they will always reply as an iMessage since they cannot send SMS (and bill me) to an email address.