Loads of people use text messages to keep in touch in Ireland. It is a handy, quick way of communication – and it can usually work out cheaper than calling someone – but what are the actual charges for text messages on Irish mobile networks? Which network has the free texts? Are Free texts for life offers really free?

Vodafone  have a free texts to any network offer with their Advantage Plus tariff – pay as you go – which requires  a minimum  €20 top up  a month. You can then use that €20 for calls or internet or towards services such as Blackberry Messenger

With O2 Experience More – you also need to top up by a minimum of €20 euro a month – for that you  get unlimited texts to all networks . You can use the €20 euro credit for calls.  O2 will send you a sim for your existing phone for Free – with up to  €40 Euro free credit too. No need to buy a new phone. Find Out more on the O2 site.

Meteor.ie also do a  similar “free any network texts”  deal  -with a €20 minimum top up a month to get free unlimited texts to all networks.

Standard Charges for Text Messages on Irish Mobile Prepay plans

O2  13c
Vodafone  13c
Three  12c
Meteor  12c

So – if you stick with the standard rates – you would get through €20  credit  after   150 texts  -  which is only  5 a day  spread over a month.

Figures Checked August 2011