What is SMS and how does it work?
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2025 4:28 am
Short Message Service (SMS) is a veteran of the text messaging world. It allows you to send short text messages of up to 160 characters at a time between mobile devices.
Throughout its long history, SMS has been an effective, highly reliable and versatile method of communication, and this reliability and versatility have made it the preferred choice for many businesses for their sales, marketing and customer service activities .
Here's a description of how SMS works:
1. Network infrastructure:
SMS works in a cellular network in the same way as voice calls.
It does not use IP, Wi-Fi or LTE/5G cellular access to transfer data.
2. Use of data:
Unlike IP-based messaging afghanistan whatsapp number data platforms such as RCS, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, SMS does not use mobile carrier tariffs.
SMS messages are sent directly over the cellular network without using Internet protocols.
3. Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS):
MMS is an evolution of SMS that allows the transmission of multimedia content such as images, audio and video.
It uses the same protocols and transport methods as SMS, but supports larger files.
MMS has an advantage in scenarios where cellular voice access is available but IP-based services are not.
What is RCS and how does it work?
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a protocol designed to revolutionize traditional SMS messaging by offering a more complex and dynamic text messaging system. With the ability to transmit multimedia content during calls, conduct phone book queries, and exchange various types of media, RCS improves the quality of messaging. Notably, RCS supports longer messages of up to 8,000 characters, providing users with enhanced communication capabilities.
However, despite being hailed as an advanced successor to SMS, RCS has faced challenges in its widespread adoption. Issues such as the lack of universal standards and device and network limitations have contributed to its gradual adoption.
Here's a breakdown of how RCS works:
1. Connection requirements:
Devices sending and receiving RCS messages must be connected to Wi-Fi or LTE/5G IP data network services.
Data sent and received via RCS is included in the mobile operator's tariff plans.
2. Emphasis on features:
Mobile operators are switching from SMS to RCS to compete with Over-The-Top (OTT) communication apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
RCS offers rich communication capabilities including group chat, high-definition media delivery, read receipts, and location sharing.
3. Open standard:
RCS is an open standard that allows any device to integrate its rich services without cost or compatibility issues.
This openness should eventually facilitate widespread adoption and availability across all devices, although it currently still cannot compete with the universality of SMS.
Throughout its long history, SMS has been an effective, highly reliable and versatile method of communication, and this reliability and versatility have made it the preferred choice for many businesses for their sales, marketing and customer service activities .
Here's a description of how SMS works:
1. Network infrastructure:
SMS works in a cellular network in the same way as voice calls.
It does not use IP, Wi-Fi or LTE/5G cellular access to transfer data.
2. Use of data:
Unlike IP-based messaging afghanistan whatsapp number data platforms such as RCS, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, SMS does not use mobile carrier tariffs.
SMS messages are sent directly over the cellular network without using Internet protocols.
3. Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS):
MMS is an evolution of SMS that allows the transmission of multimedia content such as images, audio and video.
It uses the same protocols and transport methods as SMS, but supports larger files.
MMS has an advantage in scenarios where cellular voice access is available but IP-based services are not.
What is RCS and how does it work?
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a protocol designed to revolutionize traditional SMS messaging by offering a more complex and dynamic text messaging system. With the ability to transmit multimedia content during calls, conduct phone book queries, and exchange various types of media, RCS improves the quality of messaging. Notably, RCS supports longer messages of up to 8,000 characters, providing users with enhanced communication capabilities.
However, despite being hailed as an advanced successor to SMS, RCS has faced challenges in its widespread adoption. Issues such as the lack of universal standards and device and network limitations have contributed to its gradual adoption.
Here's a breakdown of how RCS works:
1. Connection requirements:
Devices sending and receiving RCS messages must be connected to Wi-Fi or LTE/5G IP data network services.
Data sent and received via RCS is included in the mobile operator's tariff plans.
2. Emphasis on features:
Mobile operators are switching from SMS to RCS to compete with Over-The-Top (OTT) communication apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
RCS offers rich communication capabilities including group chat, high-definition media delivery, read receipts, and location sharing.
3. Open standard:
RCS is an open standard that allows any device to integrate its rich services without cost or compatibility issues.
This openness should eventually facilitate widespread adoption and availability across all devices, although it currently still cannot compete with the universality of SMS.