Without speaking, students across Iowa State communicate with one another while their phone bills just as silently sneak upward.

Text messaging, a way of communicating between people by sending word-based messages to cell phones, has been growing in popularity.

The costs, however — usually 10 cents per message — have ended up in high phone bills for many students.

Amanda Armstrong, saleswoman for The Wireless Store, 2320 Lincoln Way, said people now use text messaging as a quick way to connect between classes.

“When you call someone up to just say something, you’ll likely end up talking too much. Cell phone calls will make your ringer vibrate, and you won’t answer it in class,” Armstrong said.

“With texting, you won’t answer it and might not read it, but at least your cell phone has [stored] what they want.”

Students like Rachel Allen, sophomore in political science, are more than happy to have a convenient way to communicate.

“Text messages are wonderful,” Allen said.

Armstrong said students should not get too comfortable, as she predicts advances in cell phone technology and ease of use will put the texting fad to rest.

“I think another trend has got to come up soon — one that’s a lot quicker and easier than punching all those keys,” she said.

Other students, like Ian Ringgenberg, sophomore in psychology, find all the key-pushing distracting and somewhat offensive.

“I’m pretty displeased with it all,” Ringgenberg said.

“Just yesterday, there were a couple people who were texting all class; it’s like saying that their own egocentric lives are more important than the professor and the class.”

Allen said she believes people using technology as a diversion during class is nothing new.

“I don’t understand why this is any different than people bringing their laptops to class and using wireless Internet to instant message their friends,” she said.

“Obviously, they’re stereotyped as something for people to waste time in class, but it’s more than that. I use it … when I just want to wish them a happy birthday or tell them something.”

The popularity of text messaging can translate into overages on monthly statements if students don’t keep track of messages used.

Armstrong said that while working for U.S. Cellular in Fort Dodge, she used around 2,000 text messages per month. Expenses for the most active texters can add up, so she suggested that those people purchase a plan that provides a quantity discount.

“If you don’t have a plan, outgoing text messages cost 10 cents,” she said.

“The most common plan is 250 outgoing texts for $5.95 per month.”

Allen said her cell phone provider never charged an unreasonable amount for her text messages.

Although Ringgenberg said he owned a cell phone in high school, he said the expense of keeping one at college wasn’t worth the convenience of a mobile connection.

“Most of my friends live [nearby],” he said.

“But for people a little more distant, I’ll just call them by phone or online.”

Ringgenberg said he is not opposed to cell phones or instant messaging, but the novelty of texting and the lack of a general code of etiquette contribute to abuses.

“As everyone that texts starts to level off, I’d expect that people will soon get some common ideas about what’s okay and what’s not,” he said.