Textaboð

Textaboð is the Icelandic term for text messages, referring to the Short Message Service (SMS) used to exchange short text between mobile devices over cellular networks. Typical SMS messages are capped at 160 characters in the original GSM 7-bit encoding; when Unicode is used, the limit is 70 characters. Longer messages can be sent as concatenated SMS, split into multiple linked segments (usually 153 characters per segment for GSM-7, 67 for UCS-2). Textaboð emerged in the 1990s as mobile networks standardized the SMS protocol, with ongoing evolution through GSM and later 3GPP standards.

The first SMS was sent in 1992 by Neil Papworth in the United Kingdom, and the service expanded rapidly to become a global mass-market feature. Messages are routed through SMS centers that operate between carriers, allowing delivery even when the recipient is roaming. SMS messages are stored and forwarded as needed and may support delivery reports if enabled by the network and device.

Textaboð is widely used for person-to-person communication, time-sensitive alerts, and service verification codes. It coexists with multimedia messaging (MMS) and, increasingly, with internet-based messaging apps. In many regions, SMS remains the most universally supported mobile messaging option due to its broad compatibility, though it can incur per-message charges and may be slower than data-based messaging.

security and privacy: SMS messages are not end-to-end encrypted; they traverse operator networks and may be stored on servers and devices, making them susceptible to interception, SIM swapping, or legal access. For sensitive information, alternatives with stronger encryption or in-app verification are often preferred.