MESSAGING ~ THE FIRST WIRELESS INTERNET APPLICATION

You probably already know that short messaging service (SMS) or text messaging is getting to be a pretty hot topic these days. Everyone has heard about the SMS explosion in Europe and Asia—5 billion in March 2000, 9 billion in September 2000, and over 53 billion in the first 3 months of 2001. Amazing isn’t it? Then again—short messaging started a long time ago, before digital phones or cellular even! Back when all they had was an alphabet and two towers—or two hilltops to be exact.

The Greeks invented the first wireless text messaging before the birth of electricity. Back around 400 BC the Greeks
developed a way to represent each letter in the Greek alphabet using a combination of five torches, lit and unlit, to spell out messages from one hilltop to another.

It wasn’t perfect—bad spelling, slow throughput, “wind static,” and size were issues. And in the end it was much like today: They still didn’t have great coverage in the valley and wearing the equipment on your belt made you look like a geek.
Wireless technology has allowed people all over the world to maintain business and social connections regardless of location. This emphasis on personal communications will carry over into Wireless Internet applications through various forms of messaging. Messaging applications allow users to send short pieces of information to others in near real time but allow the recipient to reply when convenient. Messaging applications will also follow the evolution from simple text to full multimedia, and in the process teach consumers a new way of communication. Messaging applications will be used in ways that simple voice communications have not been used and such applications are critical to the success of the Wireless Internet.

The initial demand for Wireless Internet usage comes from young users. Simple text messaging has been the first real wireless data success story for European and Asian carriers. Those of you who think that this was a well-planned and orchestrated strategy might be interested to know that it didn’t quite roll out that way. The first SMS was sent from a PC to a GSM phone back in December 1992. Even though it was available in the majority of GSM networks and devices soon after, SMS did not actually take off until almost 1999. The challenges with simple text messaging were very similar to the challenges Wireless Internet applications face today.

GSM carriers and device manufacturers have evolved SMS over the years to overcome challenges in:

• Screen size

• Navigation

• Text input

• Billing

• Interconnection

• Roaming

Although SMS is now a primary source of revenue growth for many GSM carriers worldwide it is an application still very much in its infancy. Carriers in the Americas, especially TDMA and CDMA carriers, have been slow to roll out simple text messaging services within their own networks. Closed networks, devices not capable of originating messages, and billing issues have hindered the critical mass needed for mass adoption, but progress is being made. Most U.S. carriers have launched simple text messaging and are working towards promotions to encourage trial and usage. Interconnection among competing carrier networks is in discussion, and companies offering data clearinghouses for SMS have opened for business.
SMS, as a first Wireless Internet application, offers consumers more than voice can. Concerned carriers are discovering that SMS doesn’t cannibalize voice usage, despite being an alternative, but actually supplements and may increase voice traffic.

When compared to voice, text messaging is described as being less intrusive, more accurate, and more private as well as being fun, addictive, and lower cost than making a wireless phone call. Users often send text messages to communicate things that they would not or could not in a voice call.
The initial demand for Wireless Internet in North America came from the mobile professional and business user. The lack of simple text messaging on cellular phones created a market for simple text messaging devices such as the RIM BlackBerry device that allows users to send and receive short email messages. The initial high cost of these devices and services has resulted in quicker adoption by business enterprise rather than the consumer youth adoption that is occurring outside of North America.

Whether we start with young consumers or business professionals, growth will depend on efforts to further educate the market about the possibilities of Wireless Internet services, applications, and content.