Short Message Service (bulk sms) has undoubtedly transformed the landscape of communication, revolutionizing the way people connect and interact across the globe. Since its inception in the early 1990s, SMS has evolved from a simple text messaging service to a ubiquitous tool ingrained in our daily lives, offering a quick, convenient, and efficient means of communication.
The Origins of SMS
SMS traces its origins back to the work of Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard Ghillebaert, who in the late 1980s conceptualized a way to transmit short alphanumeric messages. The initial idea was to utilize spare capacity in the signaling channels used by the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) to send brief messages. The concept was further refined, and in December 1992, the first text message, “Merry Christmas,” was sent over the Vodafone GSM network.
The Evolution of SMS
Initially limited to 160 characters, SMS was primarily used for person-to-person communication. As technology advanced, SMS underwent significant developments. The introduction of Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) expanded capabilities to include multimedia content like images, videos, and audio within messages.
Moreover, the adoption of smartphones brought about messaging applications that utilized data networks, leading to Over-the-Top (OTT) messaging services like WhatsApp, WeChat, and Facebook Messenger. While these OTT apps gained popularity, SMS remained relevant due to its universality and seamless integration with mobile networks.
