3 to Charge for Delivery Notifications from June 6

Delivery notifications aren’t for everyone and those who text often will likely find them annoying. However, for those that only send the odd text message, knowing the other person has received it can be mighty useful. But is it something you’d pay for?

3UK ruffled some feathers at the tail-end of last week when it informed users that it will soon be charging customers 1p for every delivery report they receive. Up until now, delivery reports have been free, and it seems some users are annoyed that the privilege of knowing when a text hits the recipient’s phone is now going to cost them money. 3 has spent the last few days answering questions and addressing criticism regarding the decision on Twitter.

The main thing most people want to know is if the charges will affect their text bundles. 3 says it won’t; users will always be charged 1p and receiving delivery reports will not impact their text bundles. As for the users taking issue with the decision to charge at all, the carrier has been pointing out that it’s an optional service that can be switched off. One user suggested that the new charges go against the terms and conditions he agreed to when he signed up:

"What are the options for those who don't accept having the terms and conditions of their contract changed re. Delivery reports?" kiphakes asked on Twitter.

"You already accepted the T&C's when you signed up for your contract. Delivery reports are an additional service," 3 replied, telling another user that it's not breaching the terms and conditions of customer's contracts.

"This change relate to non-core services," the company explained. "It's an Additional Services under our consumer terms so you can't termination contract."

3 later added that it cannot be considered a core service because it's not available across all handsets, and listed the iPhone as an example.

As for the reason why the carrier has suddenly decided to start charging customers for this previously free service, 3 suggested in one tweet that the charge is designed to contribute to the cost of operating the service. It's not clear if the cost of running the service has changed or if 3 has just been absorbing the cost up until now. The company also pointed out that it’s not the only one charging for the service.

"It's not free on all the other networks. Orange charge the same and O2 block this service," the company told one disgruntled user.

Though customers are kicking up quite a fuss, it doesn’t seem as though 3 will budge on this new charge. The company is more than happy to remind grumbling users that it’s an optional service that can very easily be switched off. In other words, if you're not willing to pay for it, then just don't use it. CNet reports is set to be introduced on June 6. So, what’s the verdict? Will you be flicking the switch on June 6, or will you reluctantly cough up the cash for this service?