SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Technology Stocks : Nokia (NOK)
NOK 6.730-0.7%Nov 14 9:30 AM EST
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Eric L who wrote (19862)4/29/2002 11:46:29 AM
From: Steve Lee  Read Replies (1) of 34857
 
Sorry Eric but SMS was a killer app the day it became available to the public. Whether the technology existed in 1992 was irrelevant because the handsets to use it were not available. It has only been just less than 4 years since you could SMS between different networks and even less time since you could send international text msgs.

When text messaging became available in the late 90's, people were buying new phones in masses just to use it. The Orange 5.1 was very popular for this in 97/98 and many people moved networks to Orange just so they could text their friends who had these phones on Orange.

Many people's phone bills now have a larger SMS component than voice and there are popular billing plans that are optimised for SMS. It was not a case of gradual acceptance but an instant hit.

And the cost. You could send your first text msgs back then for about $0.10 a piece. No sign up or extra monthly charge or minimum spend.

By contrast, WAP is available on most phones in western Europe and GPRS on about 35 - 40 % of them. But almost nobody uses it. The tech exists and people don't want it as opposed to SMS where people were buying new handset to use something that wouldn't even work between networks.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News