SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is a text messaging service that enables the exchange of short text messages, typically up to 160 characters, between mobile devices over cellular networks
. SMS was developed as part of the GSM standards and has been widely used since the early 1990s for personal and business communication
. SMS messages are sent through a centralized server called the Short Message Service Center (SMSC), which routes the message to the recipient's mobile network and device
. Unlike internet-based messaging apps, SMS uses the cellular network's signaling channels rather than data or voice channels, making it reliable even in areas with limited network coverage
. SMS is distinct from MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), which allows sending messages with multimedia content like pictures, videos, or emojis, whereas SMS is limited to text only
. In summary, SMS is a foundational mobile communication service for sending short text messages between phones using cellular networks, widely supported and used globally
