I have a brother in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. We text back and forth every morning.

He usually texts me first thing, around 6-7am. I've noticed that my replies often (like 80% of the time) don't go through if I text right back, but usually go fine in the afternoon.

Mount Pleasant is the home of Central Michigan University. Is it possible that it's a bandwidth issue due to the population density...particularly students?

Android to iPhone or vice versa?
Could be iMessage vs. SMS/MMS text thing, but I'm NO guru on the subject.

What device is he using?

There are several potential bottlenecks that could be affecting the perceived delays. A message has to go from your device to your provider's server, from your providers server to your correspondent's provider's server (not necessarily directly, but more likely through one or more facilitating clearinghouse/gateway service providers), and then from the destination server to your correspondent's device in multiple store and forward steps. The final step is not necessarily straightforward as it may depend on what cell tower your correspondent is using. Each of these is subject to bandwidth and device availability not to mention programmed batch transmission windows. Yes, providers will intentionally delay delivery attempts to "batch" transmissions for efficiency, financial, and/or contractual reasons.

Congestion certainly could be the issue, but it's probably something else (not that you could do anything about either).

I'm on Android/Samsung. Not sure what he's using, I'll ask. Might well be an Ios/Android issue.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I'm on Android/Samsung. Not sure what he's using, I'll ask. Might well be an Ios/Android issue.

If he's using an iThing I may know the answer.

^^^Well, don't leave us hanging here...

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
^^^Well, don't leave us hanging here...

He's on Android too. T-Mobile for a provider.

I was hoping to hear what 'may' be the answer presuming it was a iOS/Android conflict, even if that wasn't the cause for the problem(s) w/ texts launched from East Overshoe!

Did it happen during the first week of March? If so, it’s not a bottleneck on their end because that was their spring break. On a side note: CMU is aptly named. Cell coverage to our house in Northern Michigan is spotty. I can be in a dead zone for a half an hour a few different times on the way up. I doubt that’s the issue you’re having.

If you are both on Android & you have 'RCS' turned on, I have seen similar issues between myself and a specific family member - both on Verizon & 1mi apart, likely on the same tower.
I think it's a phone thing, I turned RCS off on my side & issue disappeared. His phone is ancient as far as smart phones go & probably damaged, unless he's got a new one to replace the 10 he's dropped.

RCS, as discussed elsewhere on SF, is a 'better' service than standard text messaging. I text when I don't feel the need to call or drive the 1 mi to talk in person, so I don't really give a shit about read receipts & the like.
SMS was intended to be a simple, resource-light way to get messages through during congestion, not a venue to convey your innermost complexities or pour your heart out via emojis

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
He's on Android too. T-Mobile for a provider.

I got nothin', then.

I can tell you this: SMS/MMS text messaging is not a reliable delivery system. It's nearly as bad as the "aloha mode" communications protocol I described in a recent X-10 automation devices thread.

Personally, I'd switch to Signal Private Messenger.

We use a discount cell provider which definitely de-prioritizes us at times. Most of the time we have great service but once in a while our data or text service slows to a crawl.

We pay much less than before on the name brand service. As retirees, we are plenty satisfied with the discount version.