About Mobi Wireless
SMS
Short Message Service (SMS) is the delivery of alphanumeric messages to mobile phones on GSM, TDMA and CDMA networks. SMS was introduced in Europe in 1991, as part of GSM Phase 1.
SMS provides for store and forward, which means the text messages are stored on the SMS Center (SMSC) until the mobile subscriber is available to accept delivery of the message.
An SMS message is limited to 140 bytes of data (160 7 bit characters) and the messages are sent between mobile operator SMSCs using the global SS7 telecommunications network.
According to the GSM Association, more than 30 billion messages are currently being sent per month over global GSM networks. The growth and popularity of SMS is phenomenal.
SMS applications
SMS is fast evolving beyond just person-to-person messaging. The following are some of the application of SMS:
Alerts
This application extends from mobile operators notifying subscribers of voicemail waiting, to changes in share prices, sport results, calendar reminders and notifications of IT system failures.
Content
The delivery of Ringtones and Logos is one of the main SMS content delivery applications. Using SMS shortcodes, users are able to query information databases and news feeds.
Marketing
SMS is the ideal medium to communicate your marketing message. SMS allows for cost-effective mass communication which is both personal and efficient.
Interactive
Television and Radio media have incorporated SMS messaging into their live programs, adding a new level of audience participation. For example, a German television show, "Jede Sekunde Zdhlt" (Every Second Counts), generated 1.2 million SMS within half an hour. See this story from Instant Messaging Planet for more about the growth of SMS and Television.
Business Process Integration
SMS can be integrated into a many corporate applications. Some of these include Call Center traffic reduction through delivery of SMS help messages, SMS enabling of Contact Management systems and CRM systems, stock level and sales target notifications. Using SMS to automatically acknowledge account payments or prompt debtors to make account payments is proving to be a very effective use of SMS.
SMS evolution
SMS is evolving and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is moving messaging from plain 160 character text messages, to messages consisting of a combination of text, sounds, images and video using MMS capable handsets.
An in-depth overview of MMS is to found at http://www.mobilemms.com/.