What is the full form of SMS?

What is SMS?

SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is also known as text messaging. You can send messages whose maximum length can be 160 characters. The messages can be sent over the mobile network which can be 2G, 3G, 4G, etc. You can use the SMS to send personal as well as business-related messages. You can send a message to a single user or a group.

Types of SMS

How Does SMS Work?

SMS can be said to be similar to paging but it is not necessary whether the mobile of the recipient is active or not. The messages can be delivered through the following −

• 2G, 3G, 4G networks

• Wi-Fi enable devices

• Web-based applications

• Instant messaging clients

• VOIP applications

• Unified communication applications

Here are the steps for working of SMS −

• The sender has to type a message whose maximum length can be 160 characters

• The message from the sender’s mobile is sent to the SMSC (Short Message Service Center)

• SMSC is a centralized server where all the SMS are stored and handled

• SMSC checks the number where a particular SMS has to be sent

• The recipient’s mobile receives the message through a series of signaling messages

• The SMSC of the recipient's mobile stores the message temporarily till the recipient reads it

• The recipient also receives a notification regarding the delivery of the message

• When the recipient opens the message, the mobile is connected to the SMSC to retrieve the message and it is displayed on the mobile

SMS API

SMS API stands for Short Message Service Application Programming Interface. It is a system in which messages are sent and received through different programs. Communication is established between different components of software with the help of protocols. An SMS API connects applications with SMS Services to send messages.

Working of SMS API

Here are the steps involved in sending a message through SMS API −

• A client app makes a request to the SMS API for sending a message

• The app provides the information like phone number of the recipient and the content

• The API confirms the request after validation and makes a connection with an SMS provider

• The SMS provider delivers the message to the recipient

Use Cases for SMS

SMS has many use cases and some of them are listed below −

• Notifications can be sent to customers from service centers

• Notification of delivery through e-commerce platforms

• Notification regarding a voicemail message

• Promotional messages for SMS marketing

• Notifications to subscribers regarding data plans

• Sending codes for multifactor authentication

SMS further grew into EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). Users can send logos and ringtones through EMS and pictures and videos through MMS. SMS depends on CSC codes whose length is five digits. CSC stands for common short codes. SMS gateway can also be used for sending SMS.

Challenges Faced by SMS

SMS was a useful service but now it has become one of the modes of spam. It has also become a cause of security attacks as users receive messages which consist of Trojan horse viruses. Social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, etc. have also grown which made SMS an outdated way of sending messages.

Difference Between MMS and SMS

MMS and SMS are messaging services but have a few differences which can be found in the table below −

SMS	MMS
Messages are sent through cellular service and no internet connection needed	An Internet connection is needed to send SMS
Only alphanumeric characters can be used in the message	Alphanumeric characters, images, videos, and audio can be sent
Character length is 160	Character length can go up to 1,600
Cost ranges between $0.01 and $0.05	Cost ranges between $0.04 and $0.20
Compatible with almost all devices	Compatible with phones having internet connectivity

Advantages of SMS

SMS has many advantages which can be found in the list below −

• SMS is compatible with almost all kinds of mobile phones

• Internet is not required to send messages through SMS

• The messages are delivered instantly

• SMS is an effective way of sending and receiving messages

• SMS is an inexpensive service

Disadvantages of SMS

SMS has some disadvantages which can be found in the list below −

• SMS can be sent in a limit of 160 characters

• SMS can be used to send only text messages

• Formatting options are not available

• Read receipts are not available

• If a sender is typing a message, the recipient will not get any indication

Conclusion

SMS can be expanded to Short Message Service. SMS is compatible with all the devices and no internet connection is needed to send or receive messages. SMS can be used to send personal or business-related messages. The maximum length of the message can go up to 160 characters.

FAQs

Q 1 − Is the internet required to send SMS?

Ans − No! Internet is not required to send or receive messages through SMS.

Q 2 − Is SMS compatible with all mobiles?

Ans − Yes! SMS is compatible with all the mobiles

Q 3 − What is the maximum length of SMS?

Ans − The maximum length of SMS is 160 characters.

Q 4 − Are SMS and MMS similar?

Ans − No! SMS can be used to send only text messages while MMS can be used to send pictures, videos, audio, and images along with text messages.

Q 5 − Do recipients get notifications about SMS?

Ans − Yes! Recipients receive notifications about SMS.