The way we communicate with one another keeps changing. Once, we relied on letters, telephones and fax machines however now we prefer speedier and sometimes less intrusive types of communication like email or instant messenger. Even more popular, however, and a phenomenon of communication experienced worldwide, is sending SMS texts to one another via cellphones (also known as mobile phones or cell phones).

So, what is SMS?

Short Message Service (SMS) is the general name for the technology which enables visitors to send and receive text messages via cellphones (or mobile phones).

The GSM digital mobile phone standard (popular in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and some parts of North America) declare that: “Messages can be around 160 characters of text long”. CDMA networks allow greater message size and operate in North & SOUTH USA, Asia (China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, etc).

(In actual fact, most modern cellphones using the GSM standard send messages larger than 160 characters, but they do so by sending multiple messages of 160 characters. That means that when you send a note of 330 characters long, you have actually sent two messages of 160 characters and something message of 10 characters.)

SMS messages can include words, numbers or an alphanumeric combination; binary format is even supported.

Technically speaking, SMS is really a store and forward service. Which means that messages aren’t sent directly from sender to recipient, but always via an SMS center instead. You have a limited time and energy to download or receive your messages (this happens automatically when you switch your cellphone on), otherwise the messages are removed from the SMS center concerned.

Message delivery (or failure) could be confirmed, too.

Note: it is a limited definition of sms. A fuller explanation are available at

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texting

How Can You Send SMS Text Messages FREE OF CHARGE?

Sending SMS is a wonderful, quick way to talk to friends and family. Unlike sending email, though, sending SMS messages is frequently not free. In britain, for instance, messages often cost �0.10 per message. Sufficient reason for people sending tens or a huge selection of messages each day, costs can mount up.

So mobile phone companies design payment plans that allow you to send a certain number of text messages free per month. Or, if you pay enough of a monthly fee (or top-up your pay-as-you-go phone often enough) you may even be permitted to send an unlimited number of sms messages for free.

Still, that is a costly solution to send ‘free sms’.

A much better way is by using so-called ‘free sms sites’.

Yes, there are plenty of, many websites that allow you to send free SMS text messages online. Simply type in your message at this type of website, then the cellphone number you wish to send a text message to, and click on the send button. Sometimes the messages are delivered immediately, or within the area of an hour roughly. Also, quite often there is no need to register to use the free sms service.

Example free sms sites include sms.ac, cbfsms.com and Fonetastic, and you will now find free sms on myspace.com too.

Like anything else online, some free SMS sites are better than others. For instance:

Some open for business one week and are closed another, unable to recover their costs of delivering a large number of sms text messages. (There is always a cost associated with sending sms texts online for the sms site concerned.)

Some free sms sites work in one country but not another.

And, most worryingly, some free SMS sites are simply not free — either it costs the individual to send the sms messages, or it costs you to definitely receive them.

Basically, lots of free sms text messaging sites start out free, then either stop working or start to charge.

That’s why a visit to a free of charge SMS directory, where sites are reviewed or commented on, is recommended. For example, there are more than 150 free text messaging sites currently listed at TextMeFree.com.

Is Sending bulk sms ?

Yes. Usually.

It should be safe to send free texts using a text messaging site, but many people have been caught out by services that sneakily help you to first join a subscription service, that often costs several dollars per week. It can be very difficult to unsubscribe from such services, too.

In most cases free SMS sites profit from the advertising on the websites or in the specific text messages being sent; these sites don’t normally abuse their relationship with the people doing the SMS texting. It’s also generally true that text messages get sent quickly and people usually do not receive so-called SMS spam on their cellphone or cellular phone afterwards.

Again, an excellent free SMS directory will provide enough information about a free of charge sms service or site so that you can be able to decide for yourself.

Sending SMS text messages to your family and friends is quick, easy and fun. But it doesn’t have to set you back anything, if you find and use a free SMS texting site that enables you to send text messages to the country where they live. Happy texting.