Irish language users over charged for texts

Added: 19-07-2012

The Principal of a Sligo Gael-Scoil says mobile phone users being charged as much as three text messages for including a single fada in a text message is a further blockage in equality for users of the Irish language.

Mobile phone users who text in Irish claim they are being ripped off because they use the national language. They say it is cheaper to send a photo than it is to send a “fada”.

Vodafone confirmed yesterday that users would be charged for three text messages if they include a single síneadh fada in a text of 160 characters.

Operators say texts are charged according to the data used as opposed to the number of characters.

O2 and Vodafone say they conform to global standards set by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, which defines the basic list of SMS alphabet characters and symbols.

Principal of Gael Scoil Cnoc na Re, Micheal O’ Bhroin says mobile phone companies should not subject customers to extra charges for using their native language.