Questions & Answers

It's quick, simple and direct.

Q. Why do I have to pay Airmail for every SMS message received through their system?

A. SMS charging is very easy to understand: every SMS message sent from a sender to a recipient is charged to the sender. So, if you send a SMS message (only between phones on the same network!) to a friend you will be charged by your network. Your friend will not be charged. Receiving SMS messages is free! But when you receive an email from Airmail in the form of a series of SMS messages we, the sender, will be charged by the network. This is way we will charge your bill at the end of each month for the number of SMS messages we have sent you through Airmail. Furthermore, your network operator will charge you for every SMS message you have sent - either to other mobile phone users or to the Airmail SMSgate.

Q. What about international charges? Do I have to pay VAT?

A. We will be using one of the UK networks to send you your Airmail messages. The choice of the network is based on the exisiting romaing agreements. If both UK GSM networks have roaming agreements with your GSM provider, we will choose the cheaper of the two. Because of UK Customs and Excise regulations VAT must still be paid, even if you are not resident or based in the UK.

Q. What is the difference between the SMS service provided by the telephone networks and Airmail?

A. The SMS service provided by the networks only works with their own network, i.e. Vodafone to Vodafone, Cellnet to Cellnet. Airmail is not limited in that way, you can send and receive SMS messages to/from anybody that has an Airmail account regardless of the network they belong to. This in addition to being able to send messages to any Internet e-mail address and receive mail from the Internet.

Q. What happens if I am sent e-mail messages that are more than 160 characters long?

A. You can tell Airmail to send more than just the first part of your message using the 'email' command. For example, after setting your Airmail account to 'email 5' you will be sent email messages to your phone of a length not superior than 160x5 characters or 5 SMS messages (800 characters, around 10 lines of text). Obviously, shorter email messages will be broken up in a smaller number of SMS messages. NOTE: When setting the maximum number of SMS messages allowed per each email you will receive don't forget that you will be paying for each SMS message received and not for each email!

Q. What is the difference between a pager and Airmail?

A. Airmail is an extension to the existing SMS text service offered by most GSM and PCN network operators. It is not related to pagers but in a sense provides you with a similar function. People can send you messages straight to your mobile phone without going through an operator simply using standard Internet email. Airmail offers a service whereby you can send and receive e-mails directly to and from your digital mobile phone (in areas covered by GSM/PCN!). No new equipment needs to be bought and you are in contact with anybody that has an e-mail address world-wide.

Q. Can I forward my e-mail messages that arrive on my computer to my mobile phone?

A. If your computer can be setup to forward e-mail, then yes you can. Alternatively, you can ask you Internet Provider if they would kindly set it up for you on their email servers.

Q. What happens to my messages, if say my phone is switched off or I am abroad and not covered by GSM/PCN?

A. All messages are sent to your phone and as soon as you switch your phone on, or arrive in a country which is covered by GSM, your phone will automatically let you know that you have a SMS message waiting for you. It works exactley like voice mail messages.

Q. Can the Airmails that I receive be sent to another e-mail account?

A. Yes, you can forward your airmail messages, so that an automatic copy is sent to another e-mail address of your choice. This can be set up directly from your phone (User Guide).

Q. Can I use the same e-mail address that I have for my Airmail service?

A. No you have to have a separate airmail address as your airmail is directed to your mobile phone. Having the same address pointing at two different devices -your mobile phone and your computer - would create confusion. Nonetheless, you can set up your "real" email account to forward copies of each email to your airmail account.

Q. Does it make any difference if during my subscription I change my mobile phone provider, i.e. from Vodafone to Cellnet?

A. No it makes no difference to the service, you would keep exactly the same address. The only change would be in the per SMS message tariff because different networks have different prices.