Signal & Syntax · Messaging and A2P

What Is SMS?

SMS (Short Message Service) is the text messaging service built into mobile networks. One SMS carries 160 GSM-7 characters or 70 UCS-2 characters.

Also calledShort Message Service · text message

Example

1 SMS = 140 bytes = 160 GSM-7 or 70 UCS-2 characters

SMS in Practice

SMS travels over the operator's signaling network, not the internet. An SMSC stores each message and forwards the message to the serving network. Longer messages split into segments, each billed as one SMS. Landlines do not receive SMS as text, so the line type matters before a send.

Where ScoreMachine Fits

score.phone.validation
line_type

line_type separates mobile numbers from landlines before an SMS send.

Related Terms

A2P messaging A2P (application-to-person) messaging is SMS sent by software to a mobile user. SMSC An SMSC (Short Message Service Center) stores and forwards SMS. SMS segment An SMS segment is one part of a message split across two or more SMS. RCS RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the GSMA standard adding images, buttons and verified senders to SMS.

Read the Guide

Guide

How A2P SMS Reaches a Handset

The path from an API call to a delivery receipt. Read the guide →

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