SMS in new avatar
Why the new concept of cellular messaging via internet is a success story? Lets find out …

By Shailesh Shah
IThe convergence of world and hence the concept of global village is a predominant outcome of communication in the form of telecom, mobile and the internet. Mobile and internet are the two inseparable pair of tracks that go hand on hand. Further strengthening this bond, a new concept of short message service (SMS) through internet is gaining popularity among internet users.
Initially, SMS remained one of the only features provided solely by cellular service providers. Later on, private telecom players also joined the race by offering this feature to fixed landline. Though their share remained marginal thereby not affecting the monarchy of cellular phones over the SMS feature, but the new concept of offering SMS through websites is all set to break the concept of SMS = cell phone.

Considering the fact that Indians are better known to bargain on monetary part, the free SMS service through websites will certainly revolutionise further the communication world. In near future, there should be no surprise if the mobile players find way to tackle this new rival by enabling the SMS service entirely free (though the SMS service by mobile players at present are quite nominal).

Apart from the advantage of being free of cost, an edge while using internet for SMS is easy to type facility. Though in most of the websites, the character limit of single message is restricted to 90, there is no limit what so ever to the number of messages sent to a particular number or multiple numbers. One other point of distinction is the fact that while your cell phone demarcates the difference between a local and STD messages by offering different rates, the SMS facility through internet treats all the numbers equally, be it local or STD.

In order to access such services, all you need is to register with any of these players (see box). The registration process involves sharing your email address, your other details along with your cell number. However, proving cell number is mandatory as the activation number is sent to this number only, which is required to complete the registration process. Your number, which appears with every message you send using this service, avoids any misuse of this facility.

It may strike your mind that while a normal message consists of 160 characters, why the SMS facility through internet is restricted to 90 characters. The answer could be simple but core motto of these services. SMS via internet is widely preferred as an effective advertisement medium after serious furor over the tele-calling as a tool for marketing. Hence, the service creates a level platform for corporates to advertise within the database so created after registrations. So, no wonder if you start getting promotional schemes and product updates in the form of SMS, after all the give and take chain also needs completion.

According to a recent report, India is expected to have 450 million mobile subscribers by the turn of the decade, which means every third Indian will have his/her own mobile phone by 2010. This growth also gives a great potential for SMS too. SMS in India is expected to grow from 59 billion messages in 2006, to 180 billion in 2010. Thus the figures clearly suggests, there are miles to go as cellular revolution is concered.