How is SMS different from other messaging applications
What is SMS?
SMS (short message service) is a text messaging service component of most telephone, Internet, and mobile device systems. It uses standardized communication protocols to enable mobile devices to exchange short text messages.
If you’re one of the 91% of adults in the Nigeria who owns a mobile phone, chances are that you use SMS daily. Since the 1980s, SMS has become an important medium for both business and personal communications. In fact, more than 560 billion SMS are sent monthly all over the world! There are so many different ways to send text messages today that regardless of whether you use an iPhone or an Android, you’ve probably used multiple texting applications
How do Whatsapp, Facebook and other OTT applications differ from SMS?
An over-the-top (OTT) application messaging is defined as instant messaging services or online chat provided. Because OTT applications and SMS use completely different protocols to send messages, each has different platform and network requirements. OTT applications require an internet connection while SMS needs a mobile network connection. And while OTT apps need to be downloaded from Android app stores, SMS is supported by all modern mobile phones. As a result, each has its own relative advantages and disadvantages.
SMS is a universal technology supported by every single mobile network and device today. All you need to start texting over SMS is another person’s phone number. This makes SMS a popular channel for businesses to communicate with customers because it is more immediate than email and doesn’t require any additional app downloads. OTT apps, on the other hand, are ‘walled gardens.’ Someone using WhatsApp can’t text someone else using Facebook or WeChat. They both need to be using the same apps.
Commercial applications of SMS
People are spending a significant amount of time on their phones these days: the average Nigerian adult uses a mobile device nearly 3 hours every day. Since much of this time is spent texting, many businesses have correctly surmised that SMS is one of the most effective channels for businesses to reach new and existing customers. The most effective business text messages are timely, informative, compelling, and easy to understand.
People simply prefer to communicate with businesses by text. The higher open and response rates — 90% of all text messages are read within 3 seconds — make SMS marketing even more attractive, especially when used in the context of customer service.
This is one of the reasons we have provided several methods for people in all parts of the country and the world at large to send SMS messages using Ozioma Messaging and Communication Platform https://app.ozioma.net to reach their expected target audience.
