SMS VS MMS

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Fri, 2007-07-20 17:21
terryNet
Joined: 2007-07-20
 Forum posts: 7

I had good read about SMS & now have some good basic understanding of the technology. The questions I have is :

1- If SMS message can carry binary data and thus ringtones, wallpapers, etc could be downloaded, then why isn't SMS used to send MMS type of messages instead?

2- What is the architecture of MMS, as opposed to SMS (SMS, SMSC, SMS gateway, etc)?

3- You can download ringtones, etc with SMS, then why is WAP push required?

4- What's the difference between WAP Push and normal SMS message? Isn't wap push an SMS message at first place?

5- If MMS is an advanced system where rich media could be sent via the medium, does this mean SMS will soon be a history medium?

Thanks
Terry

Fri, 2007-07-20 19:43
rbrunner
Joined: 2005-11-20
 Forum posts: 1058
Re: SMS VS MMS

From a FAQ about SMS that is located here:
Active Experts SMS FAQ

What is the maximum length of a Point-to-Point short message?

Two-way data transport = 140 Octet Data Payload Supports Either: 140 bytes for binary data transport (PDU format) 160 characters for text messaging transport (7-bit ASCII).

So, whatever you want to code into a SMS, in whichever coding, if it is limited to such small numbers of bytes, you won't get far.

Nobody will be able to code e.g. a mobile virus into 140 bytes. Pictures sent as SMS must be very small, and ringtones really simple.

I think instead of asking a question like "What is the architecture of MMS" here you should do the same as I did when looking up the maximum length of an SMS: Just use Google to locate articles about the topic. There are tons of easy-to-find information out there.

René Brunner

 
Fri, 2007-07-20 20:05
N_A
Forum Nokia Champion
Joined: 2003-06-10
 Forum posts: 695
Re: SMS VS MMS

Partially answered here: http://www.newlc.com/forum/binary-or-data-sms-how-done

 
Fri, 2007-07-20 20:07
eric
NewLC AdministratorSymbian AccreditedForum Nokia Champion
Joined: 2003-01-14
 Forum posts: 1886
Re: SMS VS MMS

1- If SMS message can carry binary data and thus ringtones, wallpapers, etc could be downloaded, then why isn't SMS used to send MMS type of messages instead?

Because iSMS are not done to carry multimedia data (SMS payload is very small!) and that would be totally inefficient.
I don't know if this is still used, but you had some years ago some "Narrow Band Socket" specification from Nokia allowing to carry small melody files, etc, over SMS or other bearer.

2- What is the architecture of MMS, as opposed to SMS (SMS, SMSC, SMS gateway, etc)?

Read the 3GPP MMS specification and you'll get the overview of the MMS infrastructure. Basically, a MMS generally does not include its multimedia payload but contain links to it. The file being stored on specific servers.

3- You can download ringtones, etc with SMS, then why is WAP push required?
4- What's the difference between WAP Push and normal SMS message? Isn't wap push an SMS message at first place?

WAP Push messages are specially formatted SMS messages that display an alert message to the user, and give the user the option of connecting directly to a particular URL via the mobile phone’s WAP browser.

Eric Bustarret
NewLC Founder & CEO / Professional Symbian OS Consultant

 
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