A University of Leicester scientist (comparing text messaging with Hubble telescope data):

The maximum size for a text message is 160 characters, which takes 140 bytes because there are only 7 bits per character in the text messaging system, and we assume the average price for a text message is 5p. There are 1,048,576 bytes in a megabyte, so that’s 1 million/140 = 7490 text messages to transmit one megabyte. At 5p each, that’s £374.49 per MB . . .

My costs are even higher! I pay either $0.20 or $0.99 (international) per text message. The sad thing is that it’s still worth it to me (not a fan of ringing phones) but that doesn’t mean I’m not getting ripped off.

How many fewer emails would be sent if we had to pay $0.99 per email?

[Via Slashdot (the first time I’ve read /. all year)]