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 forms 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 (often known as mobile phones or cellular phones).

So, what is SMS?

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

The GSM digital cellular phone standard (popular in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa plus some parts of North America) declare that: “Messages can be up to 160 characters of text in length”. 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 bigger than 160 characters, but they do so by sending multiple messages of 160 characters. That means that when you send a message of 330 characters long, you have actually sent two messages of 160 characters and one message of 10 characters.)

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

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

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

Note: this can be a limited definition of sms. A fuller explanation are available at

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texting

How Can You Send SMS Text Messages For Free?

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

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

Still, this is usually 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 enable you to send free SMS text messages online. Simply enter your message at this type of website, then your cellphone number you intend to send a text to, and click the send button. Sometimes the messages are delivered immediately, or within the space of an hour roughly. Also, quite often there is no need to register to utilize 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 on the net, some free SMS sites are better than others. For bulk sms :

Some open for business one week and are closed another, struggling to recover their costs of delivering thousands of sms text messages. (There’s 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 person to send the sms messages, or it costs you to definitely receive them.

Basically, a lot 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 SMS directory, where sites are reviewed or commented on, is preferred. For example, there are a lot more than 150 free text messaging sites currently listed at TextMeFree.com.

Is Sending Free SMS Really Safe?

Yes. Usually.

It must be safe to send free texts using a texting site, but many people have already 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 quite difficult to unsubscribe from such services, too.

In most cases free SMS sites benefit from the advertising on their websites or in the specific text messages being sent; these sites don’t normally abuse their relationship with individuals doing the SMS texting. It’s also generally true that text messages get sent quickly and folks 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 you might be able to choose for yourself.

Sending SMS text messages to your friends and family is quick, easy and fun. Nonetheless it doesn’t have to cost you anything, if you discover and work with a free SMS text messaging site that lets you send text messages to the united states their current address. Happy texting.