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SMS: the walking, talking and watching communication
In the world where technological advancements seem to be taking new shape every day, the decade-old phenomenon of text messaging through mobile phones has become another mass medium of communication. It is no more a new thing here in our society. Faced with the wealth of fast penetrating information and communication technologies, the important thing is to understand this trend and make best use of it.
The first text message was sent in 1992 and Short Messaging Service (SMS) was launched commercially for the first time in 1995. Now billions of messages are exchanged globally. Message exchanges are of all types: fun, greeting, reminding, alerting, and business. They are quick, efficient and convenient form of a written communication. They are not intrusive and recipients can choose when they want to read and respond like email. And unlike email, recipients can send and receive messages any time and anywhere; while walking, talking or watching cricket match.
The mobile phone service came in Pakistan in 1991 (remember when a few used to be seen shoulder carrying bigger telephone sets that were then considered status symbols). Two different systems are in use for providing mobile services: Analogue Mobile Phone System (AMPS) and Global System for Mobile communication (GSM). The GSM is being used by Mobilink and Ufone networks while Paktel and Instaphone are using AMPS. So far SMS can be used with GSM standards.
Often the technologies and products which become ubiquitous fast are not what they were originally planned, expected or anticipated for. SMS for example was in the beginning viewed only as a small function added to the mobile phone. No one imagined the enormous social and commercial employment of the technology, until it has happened. In the first place, even the mobile phone was not meant to be the omnipresent personal communication tool that it has become in such a short span of time. It was invented as a communications solution for remote areas where telephone landlines could not provide service. “Mobile phone is a necessity and not luxury,” now every one thinks. These days, one comes across people carrying more than one mobile phone on them.
In the last ten years there has been a rapid expansion in numbers and growing sophistication in the design and functions of mobile handsets. Most handsets sold in local market allow origination of text messages. There are several steps needed before a message is sent and they differ from handset by one manufacturer to another. Normally, users can go to phone’s messages menu, type by pressing key 2 once for A, twice for B, three times for C and so on. Messaging some time called text messaging or texting can be cumbersome due to typing.
“I receive a lot of text messages from my business contacts, family and friends. It is one of the best functions of mobile phones. Only typing is unwieldy and I cannot do it quickly,” says a businessman Muhammad Ilyas who spends an inordinate portion of his day typing out emails.
The “option”, “menu”, “*” or “#” buttons may be used to type special characters and symbols. (I am using a three-year-old, rather big-size, old fashioned Motorola phone set but its key 1 alone has 19 different functions packed in it.) Once SMS message is typed, pressing the “options” or “menu” button prompts to enter a mobile phone number of the recipient. Message takes off when “ok” or “yes” or “send” is pressed.
“While 95 per cent of texts are delivered within a few seconds some SMS systems can become overloaded and unceremoniously dump excess texts,” reads a report by the Mobile Data Association.
Limitations like 160 characters (including spaces) to deal with, smaller size of the screen and typing on the numerical keypad have helped users to invent a new language — mix of abbreviation and shorthand now millions of people are reading, writing and understanding very well.
Some familiar abbreviations have come from instant messaging on the Internet and text messaging has also created some of its own unique usage and set of text phrases and rules. There are over 1000 recognized abbreviations; no wonder Genie launched SMS DXNRE dictionary followed by another one titled the Little Book of TXT by Motorola and many online dictionaries. Words and phrases like “w8in4” (waiting for), “WRU” (Where are you?), “nEd” (need), and “nU” (new) are examples of the playful language that has evolved without any considerations for vowels or consonants.
The new trend is already creating concerns among lovers of English language. Manufacturers of hands sets are building in thesaurus and predictive messaging that anticipate and recognize the intended word and automatically insert into the message and some common smilies into the telephone sets for ease of the texters.
Texting is economical than actually making mobile or even PTCL phone calls. The charges vary between mobile phone services providers and within different packages of the same service. Ufone pre and post paid packages charge Rs1.50 for all outgoing messages. Mobilink charges rupees 2.00 per nationwide outgoing message and rupees 5.00 per international SMS from prepaid connection subscribers, Rs1.50 from post paid and Re1 from the subscriber of their package Mobilink 400.
“A new round of price decrease can be expected, given the mobile phone usage to reach expected benchmark of 10 millions, heavy investments in the field, interconnection agreements between different networks, and a healthy competition between service providers.
Youth is the natural market for SMS. Everyone who can afford, carries one. But it is no longer the preserve of teenagers (or only for techie or geeky types) as everyone seems to be embracing the convenient technology.
Parallel to the trend in more developed western world, eager local corporate sector is quick to capitalize on the possibilities of the new technology, coupled with an increase in the ranks of a fashion elite ever keen to refine its yuppie airs.
SMS is continuing to rise in popularity and diversity and is bridging ICT gape in its own way. Locally text messages are replacing greeting cards.
SMS is being used to locate people in crowds and to tell and ask locations or “to exchange fun remarks while sitting in the same class room,” says a teacher Asghar Javed.
Female population is also drawn to texting. “I have saved the messages I usually need to send when I am working on my mobile: to tell my husband if I am late coming home, or to remind my daughter about her homework, or about some errands I need done,” says High Court advocate Shamim Aleem.
Melodious tinkling that announces the arrival of a new message on a mobile give a sense of security, proximity. “It is very reassuring when I am in the middle of something at home and receive a message, and it is from my husband telling me that he is on way home,” says blushing Razia Beg with her husband Gulzar Beg looking at her adoringly. “We have evolved an entirely new language of our own. Some times a single alphabet can convey a lot meaningfully,” adds Gulzar Beg.
“WRU (Where are you) is one of the most common messages sent and received by serious users here. One reasons for this message is that the higher cost of the mobile phone calls; users get back to landlines if the recipient is near any,” says Asghar Javed. Very frugal!
“It is a nifty new trend. Sending customized picture message through SMS is so easy and it can speak volumes,” remarks Arifa Moin, a young mobile phone owner.
In Philippines mobile text messaging is used by the military to help fight insurgents. Elsewhere mobile text messaging is also being used for spam, e-marketing and, of course, for nefarious activites.
The key message is that the future of text messaging as a mass communication lies in its use rather than in technical invention. So SMS is, in effect, preparing mobile phones users to see their mobile phones as much more than just things to speak on.
The writer
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