SMS, which stands for Short Message Service, is a text messaging service that transmits messages through a cellular network. This method of communication is widely used worldwide, even by individuals without cell phones. Essentially, SMS is a text message sent via a cellular network.
What is SMS?
SMS, also known as text messaging or chatting, involves sending short messages. The term has been in use since 1969 and is commonly associated with mobile text messaging services. These messages typically consist of pre-written text and serve as the mobile-device equivalent of a personal letter or news bulletin. The short message service (SMS) is a computer protocol that facilitates the transmission of text messages between a mobile phone and a mobile operator. When people type messages on mobile devices, they are sent in sequence from top to bottom.
The receiving mobile phone decodes the message by reversing the order, and then sends the received message back to the sender.
How SMS Works
SMS can be sent through the SMS PAGED mode, which operates on the UNHANDLED command. This command starts the message server. Upon receiving the UNHANDLED order, the system processes the message and sends it to the SMSMPGED session. SMS messages are primarily sent using the following format:
- PUT service_number [service_number] – (request to send service_number)
- PATCH message_number [message_number] – (request to modify message_number)
- PATCH message_name [message_name] – (request to change message_name)
To check the status of an SMS message or the connection position, you can use SMS ONSCRIPT, which provides the quality of the current SMS session (status from A to G).
The Benefits of SMS
The advantages of SMS are numerous. Firstly, it allows you to send text messages to all mobile phones without being a subscriber. You can also send SMS from desktop computers and receive SMS on your mobile phone if your provider has enabled this feature. SMS can be sent through various devices, including pagers and mobile phones.
How to Send SMS
An SMS is a single line of text displayed on the mobile device screen as an alert. To send an SMS from your mobile phone, enter the text message and enable the text message feature at the bottom of your screen. You can toggle between messages and standard messaging by pressing the appropriate button. Here’s how to enable or disable the feature:
- To enable Text Message Feature: Press ‘Show Messages’ Menu.
- To disable Text Message Feature: Press ‘Settings’ Menu.
The Shortcomings of SMS
SMS has some limitations. Not everyone reads SMS messages, especially if they are long or difficult to understand. SMS is restricted to text-based communication, which may reduce its efficiency when combined with other communication forms. Some special characters require more than one key to enter, which can be problematic if not double-checked. Additionally, SMS may not be accessible for users with touch screens or those who find it challenging to read or initiate messages on such devices.
Conclusion
SMS, or Short Message Service, is a text-based service designed for wireless mobile networks. Introduced in 1992, it was initially intended for devices with very small screens, like pagers. Despite its limitations, SMS remains a popular and convenient method of communication.