What is SMS?
SMS stands for Short Message Service and is known widely as “text messages”. Text message is the exchange of messages between mobile phones – it is short and concise, hence its wide adoption for personal and business communications. Typically, the average length of a text message is around 160 characters, and its growth has been nothing short of spectacular with more and more businesses in Australia and around the world embracing it as one of the primary modes of communication with staff, patients, clients, or customers.
History of SMS
SMS technology originated from radio telegraphy and was used in radio pagers with standardised phone protocols which are defined by GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) in 1986 as part of a series of standards.
However, the first text message was sent years later on Dec 3,1992 by Neil Papworth, a developer at Sema Group Telecoms to Richard Jarvis at Vodaphone. Mobile phones at that time did not have keyboards, so Neil had to type the message “Merry Christmas” on a PC and successfully sent it to Richard.
Nokia was the first handset manufacturer whose total GSM phone line in 1993 supported user-sending of SMS text messages. In 1997, it became the first manufacturer to produce a mobile phone with a full keyboard: the Nokia 9000i Communicator.
Key Features of SMS
- Work across different handsets and Networks: You can send text messages across different handsets, telecommunication providers and geographical boundaries.
- Does not require Data: Because it uses SMS protocol defined by GSM, messages can be delivered to handsets where there is no internet connection.
- High Open Rates: SMS messages have high open rates, with over 90% of messages opened within 3 mins of receiving them.
- Character Limit: Traditional SMS messages are limited to 160 characters. If a message exceeds this limit, it is split into multiple parts based on the multiple of 153 characters. For example –
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- 1 Part message= 1-160 characters
- 2-part message= 161 – 306 Characters (i.e. 153 x2= 306)
- 3-part message= 307 – 459 Characters (i.e. 153 x3 = 459)
SMS vs Other Messaging Platforms
Over the years there has been a proliferation of text messaging apps and some of the most popular include WhatsApp, messenger, snapchat, signal, Telegram to name a few. However, even with the adoption of these texting apps, SMS remains the staple for several reasons-
- Text message works on all mobile phones, including basic feature phones, without requiring any additional apps or software.
- Since Text Messages uses cellular networks, it is less prone to outages or delays caused by internet connectivity issues – making it more reliable
- Text message is often used for emergency alerts and notifications because of its widespread reach and reliability. It is also used because all modern phones come standard with SMS capability. On the other hand, apps are totally dependent on the user’s preference.
Uses of SMS
Even though Text message was originally designed for personal communication use and as an addon feature, over the years more and more businesses and organisations have adopted SMS because of its reach, reliability and high open rates. Some of the most common use include –
- Marketing campaigns
- Appointment reminders
- 2-factor authentication(2FA)
- Emergency Alerts
- Notifications
Conclusion
Text message is a simple yet powerful communication tool because of its reach and reliability. From its humble beginnings, it has now become an indispensable part of our daily lives. As technology continues to evolve, SMS will likely adapt and integrate with new innovations, ensuring its place in the ever-changing landscape of communication. So the next time you send or receive a text message use Bulk SMS Now and also take a moment to appreciate the simplicity and impact of this remarkable technology.