👉 SMS, or Short Message Service, is a text-based communication system that enables users to send and receive brief messages over mobile networks. Developed by the US military in the 1970s, SMS operates on a packet-switching network and uses a standardized protocol to facilitate communication between mobile devices and network servers. When a user sends an SMS, the message is broken down into packets, each carrying a portion of the text and metadata such as sender and recipient information. These packets are transmitted over cellular networks, often utilizing the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) infrastructure. Upon reaching the recipient's device, the packets are reassembled and displayed as a read receipt. SMS is widely used for quick, cost-effective communication, particularly for short updates and simple transactions, making it a fundamental component of modern mobile communication.
