Do you know what the base of bulk SMS service is? The base, the core fundamental, is understanding how the SMS is sent whether you’re sending it manually one by one or using a system.

The main goal of this blog is to give you absolute clarity on SMS let’s understand from the core what SMS actually is and how it works how the message from one person reaches another person’s phone using powerful technology.

Understanding Short Message Service

SMS (which stands for Short Message Service) is a method of sending short messages via a mobile phone.

Below are the main principles of SMS:
• 160 characters maximum – Each SMS can only be 160 characters or less
• Text only – Only messages and no pictures, videos, or audio
• Works without Wi-Fi – Works on a basic mobile network (no internet needed)
• Works on any mobile phone – Even very old non-smart phones can receive SMS messages

SMS is fundamentally different from other messaging apps like WhatsApp or Viber, as these are both dependent on the internet and special software (apps) to unlock their texting capabilities. SMS uses the basic mobile network that all mobile phones use, giving each mobile phone equal access to SMS (whether simple or smart).

The technology behind SMS is built into the standards of GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), meaning it is all in the control channels of the mobile networks, not the voice channels or data channels.

How SMS Was Invented

SMS has an interesting backstory that started in the 1980s.

Key Timeline:

1984 – Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard Ghillebaert first proposed the SMS concept
1992 – Neil Papworth sent the first SMS message saying “Merry Christmas”

The inventors had a smart approach. They tested different message lengths using a typewriter. They found that 160 characters was perfect for most human communication needs.

The 160-character limit wasn’t random. It had to fit within the existing GSM control channel without needing new technology.

SMS was revolutionary because it allowed people to communicate without being online at the same time. The message could be stored and delivered later.

How Does SMS Work?

Step 1: Sending Messages
You send a message by typing it on your phone or SMS platform – the system ensures it can be sent in text form less than 160 characters long.

Step 2: Encoding
When you send a message there are a few formats it gets encoded as:
• GSM 7-bit encoding for basic text messages (160 characters).
• UCS-2 encoding for special characters, like emoji’s (70 characters).

Step 3: Sending to the SMSC
Where does the message get sent to? An SMSC (Short Message Service Center). If you think of a SMSC as a post-office for text messages, this helps.

Step 4: Delivery
The SMSC attempts to deliver your message; if the person’s phone is ‘off’, it won’t stop trying to send the message until it is successful.

Step 5: Receipt
Once delivered, the message appears as a notification. It never used to, at least in MA.
This all happens in only a few seconds amazing.

How much SMS Can I send Using SMS ?

Answer depends on the type of text you send.
The 160-character limit was established for both technical and pragmatic reasons.

Technical considerations:
• GSM signaling channels allow only 140 bytes of data
• 7-bit encoding allows for exactly 160 characters
• Low traffic on the network and rapid delivery

Human user-centered design considerations:
• Research has shown that most messages naturally fit under 160 characters
• Makes people clear and concise
• Keeps the network from being overwhelmed

Different types of encoding impact the character count:
• English text: 160 char/SMS
• Special languages (Chinese, Nepali): 70 char/SMS
• Messages with emojis: Sometimes as little as 70 characters

How many SMS can i actually send ?

The amount of SMS you can send will depend on whether you’re an individual or a business.

Individual SMS limits
If you’re an ordinary phone user, your SMS limits will depend on:
• Your mobile plan – Prepaid or postpaid carries different limits.
• Carrier policies – Networks are always watching for spam-like behavior.
• Fair usage rules – If you send too many messages, you could be flagged.

Most carriers do not enforce strict limits each day for normal active users. However, if you start sending hundreds of messages in a short time frame, the spam protection protocol may kick in.

Business SMS and bulk SMS services
Because of the nature of businesses, businesses require hundreds or even thousands of messages to be sent, hence bulk SMS services.

Bulk SMS services
Bulk SMS services can:
• Send thousands to millions of messages daily.
• Schedule delivery of messages for specified time.
• Personalized messages (with names, and any custom information)
• Provide delivery reports of sent messages in real-time.

Understanding popular bulk SMS Nepal services can help your business reach your customers in the most efficient and effective manner. Bulk SMS services partner with mobile networks like Ncell and NTC in Nepal, which will enhance overall delivery rates.

What will Happen if the SMS Length is Longer then 160 Character ?

When your text message is longer than 160 characters, it becomes a multi-part SMS.

How it Works:
• If your message is over 160 characters, it will split into parts
• Each part can hold 153 characters (7 characters are for headers)
• Once the text message is sent, your phone will put the text message parts together

Examples:
• If your text message is 200 characters long → that = 2 SMS messages
• If your text message is 350 characters long → that = 3 SMS messages

Important Points:
• You will pay for each text message part individually
• Current phones could display long messages as one long SMS message
• Older phones may have parts that appear broken up

Why SMS Is Still Important Today ?

Even with messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger so popular, SMS is still a vital communication channel.
When it comes to communication, SMS is important for many reasons even with WhatsApp and other messaging apps.

Universal Access:
SMS works on a mobile phone no matter what type, and it works without requiring special apps or an internet connection. Whether someone gets the latest smartphone or a twenty-year-old feature phone, they can still receive SMS. This universal access and compatibility make SMS the most inclusive communication channel available.

Reliability:
SMS is delivered when other services fail. It works in areas with little internet coverage; it works perfectly in emergencies, when networks are overloaded; and it is delivered when apps like WhatsApp or Messenger are down. The performance of SMS comes from the fact it uses the mobile network’s control channels which are a completely different channel than both voice and data services.

High Engagement:
The numbers don’t lie: SMS is opened 98% of the time and most people read the SMS within 3 minutes. The engagement rate is considerably higher than any email, or social media notification. When you send an SMS, you know it will be seen.

Critical Uses:
Besides reliability, SMS is necessary for many Critical services.

Banks will send alerts and OTP codes via SMS because they need guaranteed delivery. Emergency services send SMS alerts and notifications during situations of mass disaster. Schools rely on SMS because they need an urgent way to communicate with parents. Governments use SMS for public announcements. Airlines and healthcare providers will send SMS appointment reminders because they know that people will read them.

These use cases value reliability above all else, which is why organizations choose SMS time after time.

Conclusion

SMS might seem simple, but it’s built on smart technology designed for reliable communication. Understanding how SMS works helps you use it better for personal or business needs.

Whether you’re sending a quick message to a friend or running bulk SMS campaigns for your business, knowing these fundamentals helps you communicate more effectively.

For businesses looking to reach customers reliably, SMS and bulk SMS services remain one of the most effective communication channels available today.