In 2012 more text messages were sent via free texting apps on smart phones than by traditional SMS Text Messaging services, and the number of free texts vs. paid texts is growing at a fast rate. This is a great thing for consumers, but the cell carriers are taking a major financial hit because of it.
SMS text messages have always been a major source of easy profit for the carrier. They cost virtually nothing to transmit but bring in boatloads of cash.
But the immense popularity of apps such as Heywire, iMessage and WhatsApp have cut those profits by huge margins. And the bleeding is likely to continue and even pick up the pace as more users find out about these apps and begin using them.
Free text messaging apps also offer other benefits besides just being free. For example, users can send and receive texts anywhere there is an available Wi-Fi connection even if there is no usable cell signal. And since the messages are sent over the Internet, they are received almost instantaneously.
Have you downloaded and tried one of the free text messaging apps yet? If not, why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose except a portion of your cell phone bill!