What is SMS in the information technology?

The SMS is the basic message format for mobile communication, which allows messages to be sent between mobile devices. The SMS Tech industry has transformed the way the world communicates and created modern connectivity options.

What is SMS?

SMS, which stands for Short Message Service, is a text messaging service that enables the exchange of brief text messages, typically up to 160 characters, between mobile devices. In information technology, SMS is a fundamental communication technology that leverages mobile networks to transmit these short messages.

What are the essential elements of SMS communication?

  • Short Messages: SMS is designed for concise text-based communication, originally with a limit of 160 characters for GSM networks. This limit sometimes varies based on character encoding and network.
  • Mobile Devices: The primary use of SMS is for communication between mobile phones. However, it has also extended to sending messages from computers to phones and vice versa through SMS gateways.
  • Standardized Communication Protocols: SMS relies on standardized communication protocols that allow different mobile devices and networks to understand and exchange messages. These protocols ensure interoperability across various systems.
  • Cellular Networks: SMS messages are typically transmitted over the signaling channels of cellular networks, which are separate from the voice and data channels. This allows SMS to be relatively reliable even when network congestion occurs.
  • Store and Forward: SMS operates on a "store and forward" principle. When a message is sent, it first goes to a Short Message Service Center (SMSC). The SMSC then stores the message and forwards it to the recipient's mobile device when it's available.
  • SMS Gateway Software: makes it possible for computers to send and receive SMS messages to and from mobile devices across various mobile networks. It acts as a bridge, translating messages between different protocols (like SMPP, HTTP, etc.) used by applications and mobile networks.
  • SMS types: text messages, MMS - Multimedia Messaging Service, Barcode SMS, URL SMS.

How SMS technology works

An SMS message is sent from a mobile device to a cell tower, then transmitted through an SMSC to the recipient's network, and finally delivered to the recipient's device.

Figure 1 - How SMS technology works with Ozeki NG SMS Gateway

In essence

SMS is a foundational element of communication system within the broader landscape of messaging information technology. It is enabling simple and reliable text-based messaging across a vast network of devices. Download Ozeki NG SMS gateway and learn more about its features. Send your first SMS from your PC using your Android phone.