| Many people have probably heard the term SMS but | | | | formats for the user. It can be used for sending |
| have no idea what it actually is or what it stands for, | | | | voice mail, for fax messages, as well as for e-mails. |
| and even less idea as to how it actually works. SMS | | | | SMS allows users to collect all their messages in these |
| short for Short Messaging Service is technology that | | | | formats from their mobile device. |
| allows people to send and receive text-based | | | | Europeans have really adopted the SMS culture and |
| messages using mobile equipment, such as cell | | | | send more than a billion messages each and every |
| phones. | | | | month. Incredibly, this same level of SMS culture does |
| The younger generations have taken to SMS big | | | | not yet apply to the United States of America. SMS |
| time and have even started to create their own | | | | service is way under-utilized in the USA, although it is |
| unique language and symbology for sending | | | | growing. The main explanation of this unusual |
| messages. This is a measure of how much SMS | | | | phenomenon is that the USA does not at the |
| technology has been absorbed into youth culture. | | | | present time use the digital wireless interface |
| The possibility of a completely wireless worldwide | | | | standard used in Europe - GSM. Global Systems for |
| web is becoming more and more of a reality. Mobile | | | | Mobile Communication or GSM is the platform for all |
| hand held devices such as palmtops are at the top of | | | | SMS communication. |
| almost everyone's list of 'must haves'. These devices | | | | Essentially GSM is a system based on digital |
| are now considered by more than half the world as | | | | technology, which is the reason that SMS features |
| essential, and not a luxury. The 'want' of the masses | | | | work so well. Most countries do use the GSM digital |
| has now turned into a 'need,' and for some very | | | | standard, but the USA is one of the few countries |
| good reasons. | | | | that prefer to use CDMA and TDMA rather than |
| SMS allows us more than just a way of keeping in | | | | GSM. There are GSM networks throughout the USA |
| touch. It is an extremely cost-effective way of | | | | but the general preference appears to be for the |
| communicating, allowing us to watch our budget in | | | | other two systems, which is somewhat odd since |
| these times of economic worry. When using SMS, | | | | both these other systems reduce the capabilities of |
| typing in just over one hundred and fifty characters | | | | SMS. USA is starting to change to GSM but the |
| takes up as much space on memory as one second | | | | change is relatively slow. |
| on a voice-to-voice call. This can represent a | | | | If you are wondering how such a tiny cell phone can |
| significant saving to anyone. So long as the cell phone | | | | hold so much information, most mobile devices can |
| is switched on, SMS messages are usually received | | | | have SIM or Subscribe Identification Module cards |
| almost instantly. They are similar to e-mails in that | | | | fitted. These are essentially plastic cards with chips |
| they can be reviewed on the screen and can be | | | | on which information is stored. If you are unfamiliar |
| stored in your own unique filing system for as long as | | | | with the concept of SMS or have never used it, you |
| you need them. SMS also offers the facility to send | | | | really should give it a try. It is amazingly practical, |
| out messages to large groups of people with a single | | | | extremely reliable and an affordable way to stay in |
| click of the 'send' button. | | | | touch with family, friends and colleagues. |
| SMS has the facility for allowing different messaging | | | | |