SMS i.e. Short message service is the communication medium between the Sender and receiver where the sender sends the messages and the receiver receives the text messages. We can access messages on cellular phones, and mobile phones anywhere in the world without the use of an Internet connection. In this article, we will cover a brief explanation of SMS.
What is an SMS?
It is a standardized communication protocol that is used for the exchange of text messages between mobile devices. It is one of the most widely used data applications. One can send SMS using a smartphone, any other mobile phone, or a computer system equipped with the web. The maximum length that a text message can have is 160 alpha-numeric characters. In the current scenario, the SMS facility is supported by GSM, CDMA, and TDMA mobile networks. The facility of SMS is provided by all the telecommunication companies like Vodafone, airtel, idea, etc.
History of SMS
The text message facility was first added to the mobile devices in the early 1980s. The action plan GSM for providing the services available to public data networks also to the mobile systems was approved in December 1982. According to this plan, the exchange of text messages was allowed either via mobile stations or via handling stations. Finally, the concept of SMS was thus developed in Franco-German cooperation by Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard Ghillebaert in 1984. The main idea behind the SMS concept was to use telephone optimized systems and to thus transport messages by making the use of signaling paths. The maximum length of text messages to be of 160 alpha-numeric characters was decided by Friedhelm Hillebrand.
How SMS work?
As we know, SMS is just about sending and receiving text messages, but you know how the sender sends the message and the receiver gets the message. Let's take an example: suppose Pooja sends a message to Priya, "Hey Priya, please come home at 2 pm for self-study." Pooja is the sender, and Priya is the receiver.
Here are the approach how this message works-
- First, the sender message is converted into a character encoding format of 7-bit.
- Then, the sender's mobile phone sends the text to the Cell tower, after that when the Cell tower successfully receives the message it transfers the message to the SMS center.
- After that SMS center will send the sender message to the receiver's nearby tower. Once the Cell tower successfully receives the message then it will be received from the receiver device.
- After that receiver phone converts the encoded text into the original message then finally the message will get in original format and successfully received the original message in the receiver's device.
What are the Advantages of Short Messaging Services?
- It is a very reliable and attested platform for sending important information which ensures a guaranteed delivery of the information.
- It is a more discrete form of sending information in comparison to a phone call.
- It is provided automatically to all mobile devices and there is no requirement for an internet connection.
- The conversations among people are automatically stored until deleted by the people themselves.
- It does not require any app to be downloaded as it is already provided in all the mobile devices.
What are the Disadvantages of Short Messaging Services?
- It has a limited length as it provides only 160 characters per text message.
- In order to send a text message one has to pay the cost for sending it as SMS facility is not free of cost.
- There is no possibility to unsend a message once sent.
Which Cellular Technology Can Support SMS?
SMS is all about sending and receiving messages when the sender sends the message receiver gets notified. But here are the Cellular technologies that Support SMS and provide the key points of each technology.
2G technology
2G called as second generation and this is the starting generation that introduced SMS. The Character of the text messages is limited. It is most important in rural areas where users have to use voice and text messages. While 2G is good for performing basic tasks such as sending emails, messages, and voice.
Key points in 2G
- Internet Speed up to 64Kbps.
- Provide services like SMS,MMS.
- Bandwidth use up to 200khz.
3G technology
3G called as third generation. 3G provides advanced features as compared to 2G such as Fast internet speed. We sent a long message in 3G. It provides advanced security options.
Key Points in 3G
- Internet Speed up to 2Mbps.
- Sending and receiving long messages.
- High bandwidth used.
4G technology
4G called as fourth generation. It gives a better internet connection as compared to 2G, and 3G. It provides fast internet connection in both the rural and urban areas. The rate of latency is lower that's why it gives a faster network.
Key points in 4G
- Internet Speed more than 20mbps.
- Provides features such as video streaming,voice, multimedia.
- Rate of latency is low that provide a fast network.
5G technology
5G is called the fifth generation. It provides very fast internet speed that supports various technologies such as IoT based technologies, AI based technologies.
Key points in 5G
- High Internet Speed.
- Support AI based and IOT based technologies.
- High Bandwidth that makes the network fast so that we have to see any high quality videos without buffering.
Conclusion
SMS acts as a communication protocol between sender and receiver and it helps to connect with our families, friends, and colleagues without the use of an Internet connection . It is popular and important for communication in daily life and from a business perspective.