Those using international SMS text messaging encounter some different circumstances and issues than those who use domestic SMS text messaging only within the United States. Read this article to gain a basic overview of international SMS text messaging.
What is SMS Text Messaging?
There are times when it’s not possible to have a phone conversation. Perhaps you’re somewhere that you must not make noise or where it would be rude to place a phone call, or perhaps you are in a different time zone from the person you wish to communicate and a phone call would wake the recipient up. There is also the possibility that you want to send a more discreet type of message than is possible when speaking is required. In any and all of these cases, you can use SMS text messaging, a special service designed to transmit relatively short messages (160 or less characters) for a small fee. When SMS messaging in English, alphabetic and numeric characters and Latin text symbols are allowed to be used. SMS text messaging is used for private conversations, advertising, and audience voting on popular reality television shows.
What is International SMS Text Messaging?
International SMS text messaging is SMS text messaging that takes place between two countries, as opposed to domestic SMS text messaging, which takes place within a single country. International SMS services are used by people who are on vacation, studying abroad, on business trips, or who live an work in a country other than that of their friends, family, and colleagues. Because of the greater cost of international communications, international SMS text messaging plans often have different rates than domestic plans, and a special sign-up may be required to access the service.
Sending an International SMS text message is similar to both sending a text message domestically and to placing a long distance phone call. From the United States, one dials 011 + country code + cell phone number.
Important Things to Know About International SMS Text Messaging
• Companies that Provide International SMS Text Messaging
Both telecommunications companies that offer phone service, like TMobile, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, and specialized SMS text messaging providers offer international SMS text messaging capabilities. Prepaid services may also provide texting.
• Costs for International SMS Text Messaging
Various plans are available with the costs laid out differently. Check around to see what will serve best, because a plan that is best adapted for vacationers overseas briefly may not be the best choice for a long-term overseas employee. Check for these plant elements:
• Will you pay to receive international text messages or only send them? If you pay for incoming messages, what is the cost? (If there are incoming message charges, they are usually less expensive than outgoing message charges.)
• Is there a flat-fee unlimited messages plan with no additional charges?
• Are there plans for certain numbers of messages for a flat fee per month? Does it have different levels so you can adjust to your usage? What happens if you need to go over: can you jump up a plan level, or is there a penalty?
• Is there a flat per-message cost, or is the cost per message dependent on the country to which it is directed?
• Are international and domestic programs separate?
• Is International SMS text messaging available as part of a bundle of services?
• How many countries are included? (Some plans claim around 188 countries, some claim only 70: depending on your purposes, this may or may not be important.) Are there any countries to which you cannot send text messages with the plan?
• Is the service limited to text messaging, or does it include images, video, and/or instant messages?
• Is there any benefit to being on the same plan as the people you will be texting with?
Also, note that being able to send to international locations is not the same as being able to send messages when you are in international locations yourself.
Sources
http://shop.sprint.com/en/services/worldwide/intl_txt_msg_from_us.shtml
http://www.squidoo.com/international_text_messaging
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/addons/services/information.aspx?PAsset=Messaging&tp=Svc_Tab_InternationalMsg
http://support.sprint.com/support/article/Find_out_the_country_codes_for_international_text_messages/case-ba416758-20090619-165829?&INTNAV=SU:SP:HDIA