The way we talk to one another keeps changing. Once, we relied on letters, telephones and fax machines however now we prefer speedier and sometimes less intrusive forms of communication like email or instant messenger. Even more popular, however, and a phenomenon of communication experienced worldwide, is sending SMS text messages to each other via cellphones (also referred to as mobile phones or cellular phones).
So, what is SMS?
Short Message Service (SMS) may be the general name for the technology which enables people to send and receive texts via cellphones (or cell phones).
The GSM digital cellular phone standard (popular in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and some parts of THE UNITED STATES) declare that: “Messages can be up to 160 characters of text in length”. CDMA networks allow greater message size and operate in North & South America, Asia (China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, etc).
(In actual fact, most modern cellphones using the GSM standard send messages bigger than 160 characters, but they achieve this by sending multiple messages of 160 characters. That means that when you send a note of 330 characters long, you have actually sent two messages of 160 characters and one message of 10 characters.)
SMS messages can include words, numbers or an alphanumeric combination; binary format is even supported.
Technically speaking, SMS is really a store and forward service. This means that messages are not sent directly from sender to recipient, but always via an SMS center instead. You’ve got a limited time to download or receive your messages (this happens automatically once you switch your cellphone on), otherwise the messages are taken off the SMS center concerned.
Message delivery (or failure) can be confirmed, too.
Note: this can be a limited definition of sms. A fuller explanation can be found at
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texting
How Can You Send SMS Text Messages FREE OF CHARGE?
Sending SMS is a good, quick way to communicate with friends and family. Unlike sending email, though, sending SMS messages is often not free. In the United Kingdom, for instance, messages often cost �0.10 per message. And with people sending tens or hundreds of messages each day, costs can mount up.
So cellular phone companies design payment plans that enable you to send a certain amount of text messages free monthly. Or, if you pay enough of a monthly fee (or top-up your pay-as-you-go phone often enough) you may even be permitted to send an unlimited amount of sms messages for free.
Still, this is usually a costly way to send ‘free sms’.
A much better way is to use so-called ‘free sms sites’.
Yes, there are many, many websites that allow you to send free SMS text messages online. Simply enter your message at such a website, then your cellphone number you intend to send a text message to, and click the send button. Sometimes the messages are delivered immediately, or within the space of an hour or so. Also, quite often there is no need to register to utilize the free sms service.
Example free sms sites include sms.ac, cbfsms.com and Fonetastic, and you could now find free sms on myspace.com too.
Like anything else on the web, some free SMS sites are better than others. For instance:
Some open for business seven days and are closed another, struggling to recover their costs of delivering thousands of sms text messages. (There’s always a cost associated with sending sms text messages online for the sms site concerned.)
Some free sms sites work in one country but not another.
And, most worryingly, some free SMS sites are simply not free — either it costs the individual to send the sms messages, or it costs you to definitely receive them.
Basically, a great deal of free sms texting sites begin free, then either go wrong or start to charge.
That’s why a trip to a free of charge SMS directory, where sites are reviewed or commented on, is recommended. For example, there are more than 150 free text messaging sites currently listed at TextMeFree.com.
Is Sending Free SMS Really Safe?
Yes. Usually.
It must be safe to send free texts using a texting site, but many people have already been caught out by services that sneakily get you to first join a subscription service, that often costs several dollars per week. It can be quite difficult to unsubscribe from such services, too.
Generally speaking free SMS sites benefit from the advertising on the websites or in the actual texts being sent; these sites don’t normally abuse their relationship with individuals doing the SMS texting. It’s also generally true that text messages get sent quickly and people usually do not receive so-called SMS spam on their cellphone or mobile phone afterwards.
Again, an excellent free SMS directory provides enough information about a free sms service or site for you to be able to decide for yourself.
Sending SMS text messages to your family and friends is quick, easy and fun. But bulk sms doesn’t have to cost you anything, if you discover and work with a free SMS text messaging site that lets you send text messages to the country their current address. Happy texting.