SMS messages have surpassed the age of 30 - Will they endure or fade away like other outdated protocols?

The very first SMS message was essentially a test sent by Neil during the development of the Short Message Service (SMS) for Vodafone customers. It was transmitted through Vodafone's GSM network at that time. Hence, Vodafone played a significant role in ushering in a new era of communication through SMS.

At that time, nobody, including the programmer of the SMS system, could have imagined the explosion and widespread use of text messaging we experience today. In fact, Neil himself didn't realize he was the first person to send an SMS until his son proudly informed him. The 22-year-old engineer had no idea that being a tester could create a historic moment.

Delving deeper into the continued evolution of SMS after that first message, the commercial Short Message Service Center (SMSC) facilitating SMS exchange between networks was initiated by Telia (now known as TeliaSonera) in collaboration with Aldiscon, a part of Logica - a leading information and communication company in Canada. Subsequently, the SMS center was adopted by Fleet Call (now Nextel) in the U.S., followed by Telenor in Norway, and later by BT Cellnet (now O2 UK) in the U.K., gradually expanding to other countries after 1993.

The SMS center system was deployed by networks to initiate support for sending notification messages on phones, including both SMS and voicemail. Although the SMS center system was in place, SMS was commercially introduced to the general public starting with Radiolinja network in Finland in 1993.

When SMS began commercialization, mobile devices supporting the relatively uncommon GSM network were limited. Similar to how 5G wasn't immediately widespread at launch and had to wait for other devices like the 12, S21 series, etc., to become prevalent.

In the early days of SMS, pioneering manufacturers integrated SMS capabilities into their phones. The Nokia 2010 was the first phone to facilitate easy composition and sending of SMS, shaping the future of phone models. Before becoming perceived as slow and outdated, Nokia was once a trailblazer in innovation, much like today.

• Learn more: Once a dominator, now Nokia leans on Apple

Since then, SMS has evolved, becoming a concept that revolutionized human activities and communication. Gradually developed from GSM, it adapted to 2G, 3G, 4G, and even 5G. SMS messages continue to thrive as a crucial default feature today. A mobile phone without SMS capability is almost inconceivable; not having SMS is a considerable drawback, as evident in the lock series.

The Subtle Threat to SMS 

SMS, along with phone call functionality, currently stands as the two enduring wireless services for phones, resilient and yet to be replaced by other platforms or concepts. This is especially notable amidst over-the-top applications and intelligent messaging systems within operating systems, such as RCS, iMessage, and others.

Messaging apps over the internet network offer superior features compared to SMS. Users can not only transmit basic text messages but also send various multimedia formats like images, audio, and even leverage additional platform-specific features like location sharing, stickers, providing diverse choices for users. While SMS has MMS to send multimedia images, the complexity and high fees make it less common.

Furthermore, systems sending messages over the internet network support free messaging and allow messaging to multiple people simultaneously, unlike SMS, which requires individual messages. However, even with such advancements, the concept of SMS doesn't seem to have become outdated. It lingers on.

Although SMS is no longer the predominant means of daily communication for most users, it still remains the conventional form of texting due to the most crucial factor: stability and reliability.

Message stability is ensured through the mobile network transmission systems. Even without data for internet usage or without a data plan, SMS remains operational for sending and receiving. Additionally, messages routed through the message center guarantee delivery, independent of whether the messaging app server goes offline suddenly.

In terms of reliability, SMS assures senders that the recipient will receive the message. Each phone requiring a SIM and phone number ensures definite communication through SMS. In contrast, using OTT apps for communication relies on whether the recipient uses the same app, making communication intricate.

Especially in cases of exchanging information during a pandemic from government sources, sending via SMS has demonstrated its superior advantages. Moreover, SMS facilitates phone users to subscribe to services, contribute to funds just by composing a text, eliminating the need for complex transactions.

With these advantages, especially when considering stability, SMS undoubtedly stands firm and cannot be easily displaced by any other communication method. Unless Apple engages in RCS messaging with Android, a scenario highly unlikely due to the threat it poses to iMessage.

Commitment 

SMS messages have reached the U40 milestone, yet there are no signs indicating the decline of this communication method. SMS has carved its own niche in every smartphone we own. Thanks to Neil Papworth and the networks for collectively ushering in the era of daily texting. Without them, we might still be sending emails for casual conversations.

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