Background for my non-trendiness
Or, why I didn't send a message to "Google" rather than "Googl." From Econtentmag:
SMS isn't the newest wireless technology or the sexiest, yet its simplicity makes it powerful. SMS messages must be short, so by definition they are direct and to the point. And unlike other emerging wireless technologies, SMS is practically ubiquitous; all major wireless carriers in the U.S. enable their users to send and receive SMS messages.
While still trailing Europe and Asia, use of SMS by U.S. mobile phone subscribers is starting to grow, particularly among teenagers (a group that's rapidly becoming the U.S. technology barometer). Telephia, a market research firm covering the wireless industry, estimates that as of Q1 2004, 32% of adult subscribers (age 18+) were using SMS, up from 20% in 2003. Furthermore, 53% of teens 13 to 17 use text messaging features on their phones, an increase from 45% last year. At Verizon Wireless, the largest wireless carrier in the U.S., customers sent and received more than 2.1 billion text messages in Q1 2004, with an average of 700 million messages sent per month....
The recent growth of SMS in the U.S. can largely be attributed to interoperability between carriers. "In Europe and Asia, text messaging took off 2-3 years earlier in part because U.S. networks were not interoperable. Interoperability came in mid-2002 and only at that point could a consumer with carrier x send a text message to a consumer at carrier y," explains Travis Larson, spokesperson for the wireless industry trade association, CTIA.
Most SMS messages are person-to-person chats. SMS messages are sent between mobile phones when one user accesses the texting functions on his phone, enters another user's 10 digit phone number, keys in a message of up to 160 characters, and then clicks send. The recipient of an SMS message can easily use her phone to send an SMS message in return....
Today, as most carriers look to build usage of SMS, much of the content they offer does not garner an additional charge beyond the few cents associated with receiving an SMS message. Those that come from well-known content brands may incur additional fees.
Carriers are also increasingly offering on-demand content services via SMS that are triggered using short codes. Short codes are five digit numbers that mobile phone users enter to generate a specific response. So, for example, a user might enter WETHR followed by a zip code to receive an SMS message containing the weather report for that area. Until recently, short codes were only issued by carriers and each code would only work for subscribers on a particular wireless network. The most well-known example is the AT&T Wireless sponsorship of American Idol. Only AT&T Wireless subscribers can use the short code IDOL to vote for contestants on the popular show. In 2003, the major U.S. wireless carriers agreed upon an infrastructure that enables common short codes. Interoperable short codes enable the same short code to be used by all wireless phone users, regardless of carrier.
"Now we've got common short codes; it provides a channel for the content providers to get to a whole range of wireless users," says Linda Barrabee, senior analyst for wireless and mobile services at the Yankee Group. Interoperable short codes pave the way for much more sophisticated content-on-demand applications to be initiated by content providers with the assurance that any mobile phone user will be able to subscribe or respond....
So, how do you get your own common short code?
To obtain a Common Short Code, an individual must go through the CSC registration process on the CSC Administrator's home page (www.USshortcodes.com). Although very similar to registering an Internet domain name, the secure nature of wireless networks requires a slightly more detailed process to ensure security and accuracy....
Once an account is set up, an application for a CSC may be filled out and submitted. The application may request a random, computer-selected CSC or select a specific CSC. Prior to selecting a specific CSC, an applicant can check the CSC's availability to avoid an application rejection for an "unavailable" CSC. Up to 20 CSCs may be contained on a single application. A CSC may be leased for three (3), six (6), or twelve (12) month terms....
Once a CSC Application is approved by the Registry and payment is received, the Registry assigns the CSC to the applicant and notifies the wireless service providers by email. This CSC can not be registered by another applicant for the term of the lease, and the applicant has the right to renew the lease prior to it being available to another applicant. A CSC can not be transferred or subleased to another third party for the term of the lease....
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