SMS - Short Message Services

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Short Message Service (SMS)- Facilitated by Kawive, Wambua

A method of sending a message/communication to one or many from internet to phone or from phone to phone

How sms helps to support network communication

  • Option one: Phone to phone. It is easy to write and you can make one to one communication or to a phone/caller group created.

Creating a phone/caller group. Create a phone group of people you would like to give the same communication. This is based on phone features.

  • Option two: Internet to phone(s): There is a free platform offered by some service providers e.g. messengers, skype, of sending sms to phone number(s). It is possible to adapt it to network website. It needs to be configured.
  • Option 3: For organisations doing advocacy, it is possible to have a by line configured such that all the messages sent have an advocacy component

Strengths of the SMS

  • It is quick/easy to do/learn
  • It is very economical
  • It is very convenient.
  • One can compose a sms in the local language
  • From phone to phone, one can monitor message delivery- through delivery reports
  • It is possible to create/configure the memory/space to send to many
  • It is used for marketing and mobilisation already and thus is familiar to many

Weakness

  • It is network based and message can only be sent or delivered where there is a network
  • Can not be used by an illiterate person
  • Limited memory in most phones
  • It is limited to few characters and this limits expansive communication
  • Phone/caller groups are limited. Some phones do not have caller group features.
  • Internet to phone message can not be replied via the same channels.
  • They may not be reliable due to server delivery problems

To learn more on the Technology

  • You could ask an IT person to configure your website
  • One can learn from experienced persons on setting up caller groups
  • You could ensure you acquire a phone with caller/phone group options
  • You can acquire basic IT skills to send from email to phone
  • You can acquire knowledge from users’ manual
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