Tekstisõnumitele

Tekstisõnumitele, commonly known as SMS (Short Message Service), refers to a communication service component of web, mobile, and fixed web phone systems. It uses standardized communication protocols to enable the exchange of short text messages between mobile phones, fixed phones, and other mobile devices.

The concept of sending text messages originated in the early 1980s. The first SMS message was sent on December 3, 1992, by Neil Papworth, a test engineer for Sema Group Telecoms, to Richard Jarvis, a director at Vodafone. The message simply read "Merry Christmas". Over the years, SMS has evolved from a simple messaging tool to a fundamental part of mobile communication, facilitating everything from personal conversations to business notifications and emergency alerts.

SMS messages are typically limited in length, originally to 160 characters. This limitation, while seemingly restrictive, encouraged concise communication. Modern systems can often concatenate multiple messages to form longer texts, though this may incur additional charges. The technology behind SMS is relatively simple and robust, making it a reliable method of communication even in areas with limited data coverage. It is distinct from multimedia messaging service (MMS), which allows for the transmission of images, audio, and video.

The prevalence of SMS has influenced language and communication styles, leading to the development of abbreviations and emoticons. Despite the rise of internet-based messaging applications, SMS remains a widely used and essential service due to its ubiquity and simplicity.