SMS or short messaging service is an available feature in most digital phones that allows users to send and receive text messages to other cell phone users. ‘Short’ refers to the maximum size of text messages, such as 160 characters comprised of letters, symbols and numbers in the Latin alphabet. The maximum SMS size of the Chinese alphabet is 70 characters.

Characters in an SMS text message is usually 160, although others vary by network service and phone model. This is to avoid the system from being overloaded with more than the normal forward and response operation. Some phones no longer allow you to type once you reach the 160 character limit while others automatically break the message into chunks of 160 characters. This way, you can type and send, or receive a long message but is delivered as several messages.

In order to avail of SMS text messaging, users are usually required to pay a monthly fee to the network service provider or a small fee per text message. There are also some companies that offer free SMS text messaging as well. Moreover, text messages can be sent from a cellular network server’s web page or by visiting online sites that provide free SMS text messaging.

Because messages have a character limit, SMS text messaging has developed a lingo of its own, with many SMS fans using shorthand words and abbreviating their messages instead of typing it all in. These shorthand words are not only being adopted by cell phone users, but also by those who use Internet chat such as AOL Messenger, ICQ, MSN Instant Messenger and Yahoo Messenger.

SMS text messaging comes with a number of advantages. It is an ideal form of communication if you do not want to be overheard. It is also a convenient means of communication for those with speaking and hearing disabilities. Also, with SMS text messaging, the message you send does not directly go to the recipient’s phone. An advantage of this is that your recipient’s phone does not have to be in active range for you to be able to send a message. It is stored in the SMSC until the recipient is in range or turns on his/her cell phone, at which s/he receives the message. It will then be saved on the recipient’s SIM card until s/he chooses to delete it.

Other than one-to-one messages, SMS text messaging can also be used to forward a message to many people at one time, either to all users in a specific area or from a list of contacts. This is known as broadcasting and is commonly used by companies and online services to reach groups of employees and disseminate information to its subscribers, respectively. In addition, SMS text messaging allows you to review a message before you send it as well.

With the perks of SMS text messaging, it is no surprise for companies to take advantage of this service beyond the usual one-to-one messaging. In fact, SMS text messaging is frequently being used by TV programs to get viewers to participate in their topics or segments. It is also used as a promotional tool in which wireless carriers set up huge screens at concerts as well as other big events to highlight text messages from the audience.

However, SMS text messaging comes with downsides as well. Because of its impersonal nature, it raises questions on etiquette such as which type of information is appropriate to send in a text message instead of personally delivering it. In fact, a number of people have recently sought legal action after they were notified of divorce proceedings or fired via SMS. Also, it doesn’t always guarantee speedy delivery especially during high traffic, in which it may take minutes or even hours for a message to get through.

Talk or Text? With the pros and cons of SMS text messaging, you decide.