Why do I need Cellular Data turned on to send/receive MMS?

[pency0717]

I am currently on TELUS Promo Ontario 70 plan, and it includes Unlimited Text, Picture and Video Messaging; however, I am unable to send MMS when connected to wifi. Is it designed to be this way?

[NFtoBC · Accepted solution]

Yes, it is designed that way. Texts, MMS, etc are a legacy from the pre-smartphone days, and are independent of Wi-Fi. Although on a smartphone, it uses the cellular data network, you are not charged for that use if you have a messaging package.

Smartphones usually turn off the cellular network radio in a Wi-Fi zone to save battery and wireless charges. You can either turn off Wi-Fi temporarily so the phone's data radio is turned on, or send by email to the recipient using Wi-Fi.

[pency0717]

Thanks a lot

[hellochuman]

I used to have a HTC One V.  I used to keep cellular data off (didn't have a data plan).  I was able to send and recieve pictures all the time, whether I was on wifi or not.  I just had to have on my account  - NO DATA BLOCK.  I didn't even use wifi that much when I had the chance too.  Then I changed my plan that included a small data package (more to do with using whatsapp).  Still turned cellular data on and off when it suited me.  Pictures sent and received with no problems.

After my rambling what I'm trying to say is do you have an iPhone?  I switched to an iPhone and learned you have to keep celluar data on to send and receive picture messaging.  It was an "Apple" thing after reading the forums.

[pency0717]

Well, it happened to me before when I had my LG and samsung galaxy s3. I just don't get those MMS even I have wifi connected. I'm just afraid that if I turn on cellular data, it will charge me. I like to turn it off when I don't use it because it saves battery and you never know when it will flip to cellular data even you have wifi.

[NFtoBC]

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@pency0717 wrote:

I'm just afraid that if I turn on cellular data, it will charge me. I like to turn it off when I don't use it because it saves battery and you never know when it will flip to cellular data even you have wifi.

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@pency0717 

Your Ontario Promo 70 package includes 500 MB of data, which is a fair bit, especially if you are careful to use Wi-Fi when you can.  I don't worry too much about finding Wi-Fi locations, and rarely exceed 750 MB / mo for my use (no content streaming). If I tether my laptop or either of our tablets, the consumption increases, but is managable. If you turn off the programs you don't want accessing cellular wireless in the Settings  section of your phone, you shoud easily stay below 500 MB. My better half manages easily on 100 MB/ month for her needs.

Give it a try, and see if you get more satisfaction from using your phone as it was intended. I'll bet you can stay within 1/2 your monthly allotment. You can check your consumption through the month online to see how you are doing, or you can set notifications to warn you as you get close to the limit. Just check into you online account.

[pency0717]

I know what you are saying, but I'm a little confused that when you connecet to wifi, there is no difference if you turn your data off or not because it is not being used. However, it needs date turned on to send/receive MMS when you connect to wifi. So at this time, is it using data or not? I know 500 MB seems enough, but I don't go to places that have wifi a lot, my workplace doesn't have wifi. My usage usually reaches the limit pretty quick. So I really don't  want to get extra charge for that.

[ET]

Hi @pency0717 at this point your best bet would be to contact the TELUS support crew. You can reach them by either sending them a message on Facebook or on Twitter @TELUSsupport.

[Foxglen]

So if I have removed data from my plan on my iPhone, I need to keep the cellular data setting on? It seems to be the only way I can send messages outside of wifi. I won't get charged for any data? I have a Canada wide messaging plan.

[NFtoBC]

You may be charged for data other than MMS that your phone sends / receives while connected to the cellular data network. You can turn off each application's access to the cellular network in your settings (Settings > Use Cellular data for). Only the MMS portion of the data stream is free.  If you want to use MMS without purchasing a data plan, you may wish to apply the data block so your phone can ONLY send and receive MMS data to /from the cellular network.

You can share photos via email, or Apple Messages while connected to Wi-Fi, without using the cellular network.

[NFtoBC]

Doesn't the promo 70 package include data?

No surprise that when you remove some of the functions of a device that the full range of use is unavailable. Until full handoff occurs between cellular and Wi-Fi, folks will experience degraded service if wireless data is not available to the phone.

Apple proposes better handoff in iOS 8, but the carriers will also need to adopt it. It will be interesting to see how well it works.

[nasty]

In case the below is not what you asked....

There is a bug that don't like WIFI being on while sending a MMS on the cellular data network. It has to do with a MMS proxy that tries to avoid accidently sending over WIFI.

This error noted in a T-Mobile forum post

http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/61843

MMS being an old protocol, part of the issue is authentication.

T-Mobile has Wifi calling. http://www.pcworld.com/article/247791/tmobile_launches_voip_services_for_iphone.html 

With using their own specific app, they can authenticate(mobile data connection) the MMS protocol and the user attached, to be able to use over WIFI.

When using VoLTE(voice over IP on a cellphone or tablet)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTE_%28telecommunication%29#Voice_calls

That is voice over IP(VOIP) and allows the ability to send voice over the cell company's data network.

  And if incorporating the ability to use voice over LAN(VoWLAN)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_WLAN

The carrier could allow for users to offload their SMS/MMS/Voice to the nearest WIFI access point.   There is a major security issue when connected to WIFI and very strong encryption would have to be provided from point to point.

I doubt Telus would say of how far they have been working on VoLTE(plus maybe VOIP over WIFI?).  It is coming close to being a reliable protocol, but network coverage and auto handoff is very important. Plus needing a phone that can keep LTE data and voice radios on simultaneously to do a clean handoff.

Everything is becoming just data packets and is so much easier to route than using old switches.