In GSM systems SMS is universal among providers - for example, you can send
SMS messages between Europe and USA GSM networks. It is usually not that
cheap compared to data transmission - typically about 10 euro cents per
message are charged to the sender. International SMS is charged only a
little highter.
An SMS advantage is that you identify the recipient by his mobile number
only. SMS interoperate with e-mail via operators' gateways - it is quite
straightforward, but most people don't use it as they are interested in
sending messages to other mobiles only. MMS is marketed as an SMS upgrade
(although it is technically very different) and can be used to send pictures
and video. I was actually quite surprized a DoCoMo 505 series phone didn't
allow me to send high resolution pictures or video via email, though I can
imagine why it has been disabled.
Nik
Received on Wed Jul 30 05:47:48 2003