Text
Also known as: short message service
SMS is an abbreviation that stands for Short Message Service. This service allows users to send and receive short text messages using a cell phone. Originally developed to allow providers to send info messages to their subscribers, the technology became popular because sending a text message was relatively inexpensive compared to a cell phone call.
The length of a text message is limited to 140 characters. It is possible to send a longer message consisting of multiple text messages. The user then pays separately for the individual text messages. SMS is also used for marketing purposes.
In addition to mutual communication, text messaging can be used to authorize a website (with a code received by text message), for micropayments and for paid information services.
The popularity of text messaging declined with the rise of smartphones and mobile Internet. Sending messages over the Internet (with apps like WhatsApp) eliminated the need to pay per message sent.
