Verizon Wireless vs. DiGi

Who woulda thunk it.  Verizon Wireless, “The” Verizon Wireless, and a wireless provider in Malaysia called DiGi are having a quiet, polite, second-hand blame war over which carrier is responsible for approximately half of the text messages I send from the United States via Verizon not reaching the mobile device of my beloved friend in Malaysia, a Digi customer.  I personally do not care which company is responsible, but I’m tired of throwing to the wind 25 cents each for messages that do not reach their destination.

Rather than being dazed and amazed that any text messages arrive to someone halfway across the world, in this technological age, we just expect that all communication should not only go through, but go through quickly, clearly and accurately.  And, I must add, for the most part or the 3/4 part, it does.  All of his texts reach me but only about half of mine reach him. 

Both my friend and I have contacted DiGi and Verizon, respectively, and spelled out our concerns.  Both companies claim to have researched the problem with their tech departments and found no difficulties on their ends.  One Verizon rep told me that if the screen says “sent” without an error message, Verizon has done its part and the rest is up to the forces of nature and the technology of the other wireless company.  Okay, yeah, I embellished a little on that statement, but I did sense a bit of arrogance on the part of the first (not the second, who was very helpful and pleasant) Verizon rep I spoke to who finally said to me, “I mean, come on, it’s Verizon!” as if Verizon’s pooh is incapable of stinking.

DiGi, the ball is in your court.  Verizon—2, Digi—1.  It’s your turn to make that phone call, Philip.