| Most people are familiar with the short message | | | | callers must subscribe to, and it is either free or has a |
| service (SMS) provided by most cellular phone | | | | nominal fee on top of the per text fee. |
| companies. The next time you need to phone | | | | Discount services that offer international SMS usually |
| Pakistan consider this alternative form of | | | | have one of two options available. Callers can send a |
| communication. Commonly called text messaging, this | | | | text through their mobile phone or their computer. |
| written form of telephony is popular with people who | | | | This enables you to send a text message to |
| need to get a short message across and don't want | | | | someone's cell phone, even if you don't have a cell |
| to spend minutes or hours on the phone chit chatting. | | | | phone. This is great for people who need to phone |
| With a text message, the receiver gets your | | | | Pakistan with a quick message, but are unable to use |
| message and can respond without having to waste | | | | their phone due to a dead battery. You simply sign |
| time making lengthy phone calls. | | | | on to your preferred discount calling service, enter |
| Unfortunately, most cellular phone companies charge | | | | the number into their system, and relay your |
| their clients to utilise the text messaging service on | | | | message. |
| their phone. To downplay the costs, some companies | | | | Benefits of Using a Discounted Calling Plan for Text |
| allow free text messaging between phones in the | | | | Messaging |
| same network, but international callers probably won't | | | | The main benefit is the amount of money saved. |
| have the luxury of working within the same network. | | | | Depending on the service, they may also have other |
| This makes international text messaging just as | | | | options available, such as being able to send |
| expensive as international calling. Thankfully, discount | | | | messages from your email and receiving email |
| calling services have seen callers' needs for | | | | notifications when your texts arrive, are read, and |
| international text messaging that is affordable and | | | | are responded to. |
| efficient. | | | | The other benefit is that you don't need a cell phone |
| How to Place an International Text Message | | | | in order to place a text message through a discount |
| Similar to placing a phone call, you need to dial the | | | | service. This works great if your cell phone has no |
| country code and the wireless number. You can then | | | | signal, a dead battery, or you've misplaced it and |
| type in your message and hit send. If not using a | | | | have an urgent message to relay. While it may seem |
| discount program, your mobile provider will charge | | | | easier to just phone Pakistan, sending a text on your |
| anywhere a fee for text, picture, or video messages. | | | | PC is a great alternative when you can't get to a |
| Some providers have an international service that | | | | phone. |