SMS text messaging

An SMS text message arrives on a mobile phone

SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is a function within most mobile phones where a short text message can be typed using the mobile phone's number keypad and sent to other mobile phones, handheld devices, landline telephones or even email addresses and websites.

When a text message is sent from mobile phone A to B, the text message first reaches the SMSC (Short Message Service Centre). The SMSC then sends the message to the tower in the cell where mobile phone B is, which then sends the message to mobile phone B.

SMS has grown very quickly amongst mobile phone users, with billions of messages now sent every day.

Keypad lettering for text messaging

Many mobile phone users enjoy text messaging because it is quick, often cheaper than making a phone call, and can be used to reach large numbers of people at the same time. Text messaging is also popular among the hearing and speaking impaired, because it enables them to communicate to others easily and quickly.

Text messaging is now used as one of the ways in which radio, press and television viewers can provide feedback (for example, voting for a game show contestant). It is also used for many competitions and other promotions, as well as for advertising.