How Does Text Messaging Work?

Introduction
Texting on cell phones has become the preferred way of communication amongst the younger generation. Now with more sophisticated phones and smart devices, texting has spilled over into the business world and become a hit with adults. As new cell phones come out, networks are offering better solutions and packages for this new technical obsession.
Some may wonder what the technology behind text messaging is or how it is possible. How does text travel over the airwaves and reach its desired destination intact? The technology behind text messaging is SMS (short message service). SMS is used to send and receive messages to and from cellular phones. SMS has its limitations since it only allows for up to 160 characters in the messages. The 160-character limit is only for Latin letters, numbers and symbols. Other languages have a 70-character limit.
How it Works
Cell phones are always sending and receiving information through signals even when the phone isn't in use. The signals are sent and received from a cell phone tower or control channel. In order for the phone calls and messages to come through, the control channel needs to know which phone belongs to which phone number. Depending on the location of the cell phone, it will communicate with different towers as the user moves around the city, state, country and even the world. If the phone is unable to communicate with a tower, then it will not receive a signal and can't be used.
The control channel maps the path for SMS, or text messages. When a message is sent, it first must go through the nearby tower and then the SMS center. The SMSC receives the message and sends it to the appropriate tower closest to the location of the cell phone and then to the destination. So what is the SMS job in the entire process? SMS formats the message in a way that it is able to travel to and from the town, and still be received by the cell phone. SMS also sends data associated with the message, such as the length of the message, destination, format and time stamp.
Pros
There are reasons why users prefer text messaging over other forms of communications. For one, they are more discreet than a phone call because the threat of being overheard is removed. Sending a text message is also quicker than placing a telephone call. SMS provides portability that email and instant messaging over a computer does not (although new Smart phones are on the market that handle these tasks). SMS messages can also be delivered even if the phone is turned off or out of range. Once regular service is once again supplied to the phone, any waiting messages will come through.
Cons
There are certain disadvantages to using text messaging. The SMS technology can easily be attacked. An overwhelming number of text messages sent at once can overpower the control channels and hinder people from receiving their phone calls. Critics have also criticized the cost of text messaging and the sometimes long hold time involved in receiving messages.

How to Use Hands Free Dialing on My LG Phone

Call Someone
1. Press and hold the 'Voice Command' button. The Voice Command button is different for each LG phone. For the LG Shine and LG Trax, voice command can be accessed by pressing and holding the 'Clear' key located between the 'Send' and 'End' keys.
2. Say 'Call Someone' when promoted by the phone.
3. Say the name of a person in the phone's address book when the phone prompts you with 'Say a name.'
4. Say 'Yes' to place the call when the person's name is given by the phone. Say 'Next' to go to the next number for that person. For example, say 'Next' to call a contact's mobile number instead of their home number.
5. Say 'Cancel' to ask for a different contact or say 'Exit' to exit the voice command menu.
Dial Number Command
6. Press and hold the 'Voice Command' button.
7. Say the phone number to dial when prompted by the phone.
8. Say 'Yes' if the number repeated is correct and to place the call.
9. Say 'Cancel' to ask for a different contact or say 'Exit' to exit the voice command menu.

How to Get Free Service With Virgin Mobile

Refer Friends to Earn Airtime
1. Visit the Virgin Mobile website and log in to your cell phone account.
2. Click the 'Register for Kickbacks' button to sign up for the program and receive a Kickbacks code.
3. Share this code with friends who wish to sign up with the Virgin Mobile service. Instruct your friends to supply this code when signing up. For each friend who supplies your code, then tops up his account with at least $20 in airtime, you and that friend receive 60 minutes of free airtime. This may be done up to 100 times per year.
Donate Your Old Phone to Receive Free Airtime
4. Switch your old cell phone's number so that it may be used on your new Virgin Mobile cell phone.
5. Give the old cell phone to a friend.
6. Instruct your friend to register her new account with your old phone. Once the old phone has been reactivated, you receive 60 minutes of free airtime in your account.
Sign Up for Assurance Wireless
7. Check the Assurance Wireless website to see if you qualify for free airtime. If you may qualify, verify that Virgin Mobile operates the Assurance Wireless service in your area (see Resources).
8. Call 1-888-898-4888 to speak with an adviser and apply for the service. You may also print an application (see Resources). Fill out the application, then send it to the address provided for your state.
9. Supply any required documents, such as an unemployment statement, income tax return or Social Security, retirement or child support documents. If you qualify, you receive a free phone and 250 free minutes per month.

How to Send Free Text Messages to a Cell or Landline

1. Sign up with a text-to-landline service. Both Verizon and Sprint provide this service for home phones. You will need to check with your phone company to see if it is available for you. Once it installed it will translate text messages into voice messages and send them to you. This will require a special phone.
2. Go to a site that will allow you to send free text messages. Three that you can choose from are CBFSMS, TextMeFree and SMSCity. These are all free to use as of 2010, although some of them may require you to register. They will send messages to both cell phones as well as landlines.
3. Register with the site if required. You will need to create a user name, a password and enter an email address.
4. Enter the phone number of the recipient. Choose the country and cell phone service provider.
5. Enter your email, or cell phone number if you want to get a reply. Note this is optional and not all services allow this.
6. Type in your message. You can use up to 140 characters. Enter the captcha code if required (this is the letters or numbers at the bottom of the page). Click 'Send,' and your message will be sent to the recipient whether they are using a cell phone or landline.

How to Get Free Straight Talk Minutes Immediately

1. Go to Straight Talk's website.
2. Go to the refill/enroll tab. In the drop-down menu, choose 'refill on demand.'
3. Log in to your Straight Talk wireless account with your email address and password.
4. Choose the type of plan you would like to put on your phone. The most basic plan available is $30 for 1,000 minutes, 1,000 text messages and 30 megabytes of data. The most extensive plan is unlimited minutes, text messages and data for $540 for one year.
5. Enter in your credit card information and click on 'Submit.'

How to Send Gmail to a Mobile

1. Log in to your Gmail account.
2. Click 'Compose Mail' to start a new email message.
3. Enter the mobile recipient's email address in the 'To' field. The address consists of his 10-digit phone number and the SMS gateway. An example email address is 8881234567@messaging.sprintpcs.com.
4. Type your email message in the body. Depending on the recipient's mobile service provider and the length of your message, it may be sent as multiple text messages.
5. Click 'Send' to deliver the message from your Gmail account to the recipient's mobile.

How to Send a SMS Image Via Email

1. Open your e-mail account on your computer or cell phone depending upon where the image is located and whether you have the e-mail application on your cell phone.
2. Select 'Compose Message' once you have logged in to your e-mail account.
3. Type the person's cell phone's e-mail address into the 'Recipient' box. For example, if the person has AT&T you would enter the 10-digit phone number followed by @mms.att.net. (1234567890@mms.att.net)
4. Enter the message in the body of the e-mail not to exceed 160 characters.
5. Click on the symbol of a paperclip or camera to browse for the image you wish to share, and select the image. It will load in the e-mail as an attachment.
6. Send the e-mail. It will arrive shortly as a text message with the attached image. If the person replies, the message will be sent to your e-mail account.