| Short Message Service (SMS) or more commonly | | | | examples include automated downloads of mobile |
| text messaging has become a global phenomenon. In | | | | services, polls or participating in contests. |
| technical terms, a short message of 160 characters | | | | Sending text messages is a cost effective and |
| or fewer (including spaces) can be sent from or | | | | efficient way of communication. These are some |
| delivered to an enabled mobile phone. The service is | | | | examples:a) You are a business wanting to |
| typically available on most personal mobile devices | | | | immediately alert your customers of news, sales or |
| that are equipped with wireless telecommunications. | | | | events.b) You are an organization wanting to send |
| An SMS is typically delivered within seconds but can | | | | messages to individuals or groups about impendint |
| depend upon the gateway, network traffic and the | | | | meetings, events or promotions.c) You are an |
| receiving party's availability. In recent years, SMS has | | | | individual looking to send a quick message or group |
| become a phenomenon especially among young | | | | text messages to your friends.d) You want to |
| people. SMS is popular because it is an effective way | | | | participate in a national poll or contest.e) You want to |
| of communicating directly to the intended recipient as | | | | be sent an SMS about special occasions, chores or |
| close to real time as possible. | | | | meetings.f) You want to be entertained through daily |
| SMS text messaging is the most widely used data | | | | SMS flirts or jokes sent to your phone. |
| application on the planet, with 2.4 billion active users, | | | | A cell phone is not mandatory for texting. There are |
| or 74% of all mobile phone subscribers sending and | | | | some internet websites that allow users to send text |
| receiving text messages on their phones. | | | | messages free of charge to the sender. These |
| The most common method of SMS communication is | | | | services are often supported by advertisers or |
| person-to-person, but text messages can also be | | | | donations. |
| used for interacting with automated systems. Typical | | | | |