Please Bring Back Group Messaging in Windows Phone 8

[Darkgift]

I recieved my HTC 8x and love it. My only complaint from Verizon's end is the exclusion of group messaging. This is not good. There's no explanation, or answer from anybody as to why, and if it will be added. Does anyone have an answer to this? I know WPCentral reported on it, but last they left it, they were as clueless as us.

[SydneyK]

That would be cool if a Verizon employee jumped on this thread with an explanation. Although, from what I read on WPCentral, the feature just kind of went away and no one knows why, not even the CSRs.

[herbm]

Are there even any Verizon people monitoring these forums?

[tikibar1]

This is a customer-to-customer forum; Verizon reps occasionally pop in and respond, but it's sporadic.

[herbm]

Thats kind of discouraging....

you would think they would see this as a way to find out what we users are doing with our phones..what issues we are having etc....

[AZSALUKI]

They see some of it but rarely chime in. Your best bet is notifying microsoft since they write the OS. Let them know. I didn't realize windows phones couldn't group message? That's pretty lame in 2013.

[herbm]

This is not a Microsoft issue....it works on 920s and 820s on ATT...Verizon has apparently disabled this...

[CmdrKeene]

Microsoft has included group messaging on Windows Phone, but Verizon removes it from the software installation they use.

The "Group Text" option you see below has been removed by Verizon.  They just won't tell us why.

I wrote a post asking for suggestions:  http://skeene.net/tech/verizon-cripples-group-communication/

[primortal]

Being VZW won't respond to requests from their customers; maybe they will respond to FCC and BBB requests instead.  If you want to see group messaging re-enabled in WP8 file a complaint with the BBB and the FCC.

[CmdrKeene]

I have, and will encourage everyone I know to do the same.

I hope to at least receive a response from them but I am not hopeful it will amount to much. I'm sure they are legally allowed to provide terrible service and remove all the features they want.  I guess I just need to face it, I'm a sucker for paying them money and expecting them to let me actually communicate with my friends and family.

[Ann154]

herbm wrote:

Are there even any Verizon people monitoring these forums?

Well, this is peer to peer customer forum and not a direct link to customer service.

[connorpoole]

I too would like to see this come back. When I called customer service the woman told me that the Phone did not currently support it. She had no explanation as to why this was but seemed pretty confident that it would be added in a future firmware update.

Group messaging uses MMS, and windows phone 8 supports MMS and clearly (from the AT&T version) this phone (at least the GSM chipset) supports it as well. Group messaging has also been disabled on the Lumia 822 for verizon, so this is either a hardware limitation that is encountered from the inclusion of the CDMA 800/1900 spectrum (the only difference between the AT&T version and the verizon version) OR much more likely Verizon has arbitrarily blocked this feature for no reason.... or to begin selling it as monthly extra charge feature

[greenwave85]

They won't explain it.  When you call customer service they either act like they dont know what Group Messaging is or try to tell you the the Windows Phones do not support Group Messaging.  Both are clearly lies and both are completely unacceptable ways to handle their customers.  All they need to do is state why this problem exists and wheter or not it will be addressed. Even if it is a stupid reason why it ha been disabled, it is better than having a bunch of incredibly aggrivated customers.  I wonder how many sales HTC and Nokia lost on Verizon because of this.  I know for a fact my brother traded in his Lumia for an Galaxy (which he doesn't like by the way).  I also enjoy when people see that I have a WP8 and ask me if I like it and I am forced to answer, "Yes, it is a great phone and I highly recommend it as long as you are not on Verizon."

[illuminati]

+1

I too am wondering when this update will arrive... It really is a critical part to messaging for which there is no real work-around. It's very frustrating. My Lumia 710 was able to do this just fine with wp7 on T-Mobile. We know this is you limiting the software only for wp8. The Verizon wp7 HTC Trophy has this capability on your network.

Verizon, please expedite this!

[e_lizzle]

<< Comment removed for language >>.  This feature should NOT be disabled.

-E

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

[jcx]

Moderator - what is the best way to indicate to Verizon Wireless that the user community would really like to see the group messaging capability returned to Windows Phone 8, particularly the abilities to:

1) have group messages part of the same "thread"
2) see all the other recipients of a group message
3) have a group message originated by other people (regardless of their carrier) show up in its own appropriate thread

All of these features worked great on Windows Phone 7.5 without the need for creating a "Group" or "Room".

This sort of compatibility issue is clearly considered unacceptable by the user community and should receive the highest priority attention from Verizon Wireless.

If the feature will not be coming to Windows Phone 8 on Verizon anytime soon, could the user community please get a reasonable explanation as to why it will not be supported?

[AZSALUKI]

everyone should call and email verizon. they may or may not even read this thread, and if they do, it will be a random employee who does. complaints should be communicated directly to them (i'd suggest via emails, regularly, from as many people as possible).

[herbm]

I agree....we should all start calling with these issues.

I find it distressing they (Verzion) is not actively monitoring these forums.

[AZSALUKI]

it's just a peer to peer forum that they provide. it's not meant to be a "customer service" type of place.....but rather just a forum for verizon users that can potentially help each other. i believe it cuts back slightly on their actual customer service, while providing a place for possible solutions for us. i can often come here and get an answer much easier and quicker than calling them.

and half the time, the users here know more about their devices than verizon employees....lol.

[primortal]

Another thought and might be a little extreme is to file a complaint with the FCC being they allow group messaging with the Trophy and AT&T allows it with their WP8 devices there's no reason it should be disabled.

Also those with facebook accounts can post on their wall getting a little big more public exposure.

[herbm]

great idea....

I just posted on the Verizon Wireless Facebook page. If everyoen started doing that, they might wake up!