Messaging: Text messaging
Text messaging
Send and receive text messages from your friends in more than 130 countries worldwide. Text messaging is available either as part of a package or on a 15¢ per message pay per use basis: An additional 10¢ charge applies for each text message you send from within Canada to a recipient outside of Canada and the U.S.
A roaming charge of 45¢ per message applies to messages you send from outside Canada, regardless of whether or not you have a Messaging Package on your plan. For pay-per-use text messaging, the total cost of each message sent or received while you are outside of Canada is 60¢ (15¢ per message plus 45¢ roaming charge)
There are several ways to send text messages:
From your mobile phone to a landline
Use your mobile phone to send text messages to most landlines in Canada and the U.S.. Your text message is converted to a voice message for your recipient. If they reply, you receive a text message with a toll-free number and a 4-digit PIN so you can listen to their response.
From telusmobility.com
Go to the Send a Message page and follow the onscreen instructions to send a text message to any TELUS mobility customer. Only TELUS handsets can receive messages from this website.
From your TELUS account
To send a text message to one or more TELUS Mobility clients, log in to your account, select Send a Message in the top right corner and follow the onscreen instructions. You can also create an address book to send to multiple TELUS mobility customers at the same time. Don’t have a TELUS account? Register now
From your email
Email a text message to any TELUS Mobility client by using this format: 10digitphonenumber@msg.telus.com (ex. 4168730000@msg.telus.com). In the body, type your text. Note that text messages over 136 characters (PCS) are split over two messages.
Receiving text messages
All mobile and Mike phones are enabled to receive text messages.
If you want to confirm your phone’s capability, send yourself a text message. If you don’t receive it, contact Client Care at *611 to activate it.
Similarly, if you wish to discontinue text message capability, contact Client Care at *611.
Delivery of a text message is nearly immediate if:
- Your recipient's phone is turned on and set up for text messaging.
- Your recipient is in a digital coverage area within Canada or the US or other selected countries.
Please note:
- Mike and pay monthly (not prepaid) mobile phones can also send and receive text messages while roaming in the United States.
- Messages sent to or received from other carriers might require more time to be delivered.
Understanding how many messages you have sent and received
Different phone models have different text message length limits. Generally, the limit is between 130 and 160 characters. Some phones will allow you to enter a longer message and split it into segments (according to the phone’s pre-set limit) at “Send”. Each segment is counted as sending/receiving 1 text message.
To determine your phone’s pre-set text message length limit, consult the owner’s manual.
Want to stop counting messages? Get a Messaging Package and enjoy per-message discounts and free incoming messages.
Stopping text messages
There are various types of text messaging and different ways to stop them:
- Regular text messages – To stop receiving text messages, log in to your TELUS account and select "Applications", then "Manage text messages". Select "Send" or "Manage text messages" and choose the types of messages you no longer want to receive.
- Premium messaging – To stop subscription services to third party companies, such as daily news, weather and sports updates or subscriptions to online dating services and chat, reply to a message with "STOP" or "STOP ALL". If the subscription continues, contact the company directly or call Client Care at *611.
SPAM messaging – SPAM messages are advertising messages sent by companies and individuals to unwilling participants. If you receive an unwanted text message, forward it to 7726 with the word "SPAM" in the body and we will adjust your bill. No questions asked. That’s our TELUS Spam Free Guarantee.
Troubleshooting/general information
999-999-9999 is the number that appears on your phone if someone sends a text message using either email or a TELUS website.
Messages sent and received using a PCS phone can be up to 136 characters where longer messages are split over two or more messages when delivered. Some newer phone models will allow you to key in as many characters as desired. The long message is segmented according to the phone’s pre-set character limit at "Send".
Messages sent using email or a TELUS website can be up to 260 characters.