Even in these contemporary times, voice SMS has not caught up in a big way. Text SMS"s continue to be the preferred choice of most of the mobile subscribers. Text SMS which is considered fast, cheap and trendy way of communicating with people has several disadvantages over its voice counterpart. Below mentioned are some of the pros and cons of text and voice message.
Text SMS
Pros -
1.It is quick.
2.Abbreviated language makes it easy to compose messages.
3.Comparatively cheaper.
4.It is extremely discreet.
Cons -
1.Small sized mobile phone keys a big turnoff.
2.Lacks emotions.
Voice SMS
Pros -
1.It carries emotions along with the message.
2.Language is not a barrier.
Cons -
1.Not discreet. One has to record a voice message which might be overheard.
2.Sometimes retrieving voice SMS can be tricky; need to punch-in certain numbers.
The procedure to send a voice message is similar to text message. Just record a voice message and send it to the recipient's number. The receiver will automatically receive an alert; which he or she needs to open to listen to the message.
Bulk Messaging is dispersal of large numbers of SMS messages using various protocols to mobile phones. Typically, this facility is used by media companies, manufacturing enterprises and consumer durable entities for mobile marketing. It is also used by educational institutions and banks for sending out useful alerts to students and transactions details to account holders respectively.
It is one of the cheapest and most efficient advertising platforms. Its growing popularity is also due to the fact that it does not require highly trained people to do the job.
Bulk SMS task is carried out with the help of web based or desktop software. It requires an internet connection and a person to compose and attach target customers mobile numbers before pressing the send button.
SMS short codes are special numbers that can receive text messages. The Common Short Code Administration (CSCA) is the registration authority. This central body ensures that the short code works across various carriers that are registered with the administration.
These numbers are generally used by mobile marketing companies to offer value added services like television program voting, contests and also by on demand information service providers. These numbers are also used to order ring tones and discount coupons. Sending messages or responding to short code numbers is expensive; its charges are higher than normal SMS with long numbers.
Short code has taken mobile marketing to the next level, offering various interactive services such as ticket booking, ecommerce tracking codes, invitations to exclusive events and promotions.
Basically there are two types of short codes; dialing and messaging. These are typically 5 to 6 digits long, easy to remember and unique to each operator; thereby avoiding overlapping.
The CSCA charges a monthly registration fee which begins at $500 for random code to $1000 for a vanity code.
