IPhone 3G SMS Issues Post-3.0OS Upgrade

Question

**Please note: I am trying to send just regular text messages, not picture text messages.**
After updating my iPhone 3G to the 3.0OS, I noticed that my text messages started to get really flaky (i.e. could not send messages, only receive). I thought that Rogers (Canada) was having difficulties due to the iPhone 3.0OS and iPhone 3GS releases, so I waited patiently and thought this issue would resolve itself.
I have spent over an hour and half on the phone with Rogers (Canada) representatives and the only thing they have done is told me to “Reset Network Settings.” Finally, after a lot of troubleshooting I have figured out what my problem is. Hopefully someone can shed some light on the situation.
1) In order to send a text message to someone outside my area code, I MUST have no prior conversation with them stored on my iPhone. I can send unlimited SMSs to them, but as soon as they respond back, I cannot simply touch reply and respond to them. I have go into Messages, touch EDIT, then delete the entire conversation. This means I have to do this every time someone from outside my area code SMSs me. This is not only annoying, but defeats the whole purpose of the “conversation/chat” style of the iPhone.
2) If I am outside my local area, then I must perform the above steps in order to send a message. I MUST have no prior conversations stored in my iPhone.
3) Everything is fine and dandy for calls within my local calling area. No error messages.
I am wondering if anyone has these problems as well. I did not experience any of these problems prior to upgrading to the 3.0OS. Any advice on how to resolve this would be greatly appreciated.
*P.S. I have also tried manually typing in the phone number, by using both 10 digits and the “+1”-then area code. It doesn’t seem to make a difference what number I use, as soon as I get a message back I cannot respond to it unless I clear the conversation.
Thanks!

Answer 1

I also have had this problem since the 3.0 upgrade and don't have a solution yet. Here is what I have done so far.
1) Talked to Rogers, they suggested network reset and entering in the message centre number. No change.
2) Talked to Apple today for an hour who also got Rogers on the line. After much testing including swapping SIM cards from my work cel, also Rogers, we concluded the problem is in the phone, not the account.
3) Apple suggested a restore of the phone, which I had tried. They suggested deleting the downloaded firmware from iTunes and letting it download again in case it was corrupted. This I did, no change.
I cannot fault Apple or Rogers tech support, they were both most helpful and called me back several times but neither had a solution.
The issue is most strange because I can send a message to anyone, but the error comes up when you reply. But the strangest thing is that it's not to everyone. I have no problems texting my sister back and forth in L.A. for example. But two contacts here in town, one on Rogers, one not, I cannot send replies to. I have to clear the conversation and send a fresh message.
To add one more wrinkle, earlier today I WAS able to reply to a previously unreliable (is that a word?) contact but only once. After that, the errors returned.
Short of getting a new phone somehow to test, I'm at a loss. I will see if Rogers will swap the phone though. Also, this weekend I should be in Vancouver and can visit the Apple store. If I find a solution at all, I will post here.
Cheers.
J\