Right. Paying per-packet when there are only connection costs is a way for carriers to create a cash cow.

That's why I fear pay-per-view models on the internet. Once I'm connected it isn't about the packets, yet lobbyists trained by cable TV are trying to inject that model where it makes no sense. Except of course to the scalping bastards trying to get rich selling packets.

People say that a lot, because they've heard it somewhere, but do you actually have the facts to back it up? I'd have to check my books to be sure, but I think you're talking about SMS delivery over the SACCH. That's an associated channel, meaning it goes along with a traffic channel, so that would apply if you were in a call. If you were not in a call, it would have to go over a standalone control channel SDCCH -- in other words, that channel would be being specifically used for the SMS transfer.

And, of course, there's the cost of running the SMSC.