Free Text Online
SMS is short for Short Message Service, and is the service provided by mobile phone carriers that allows users to send text messages to other mobile phone users. SMS messaging or text messaging has exploded as the number 1 fastest growing communications trend worldwide. Over 2.4 billion users or about 74% of the world's mobile phone users send and receive text messages. That's why it's no surprise that many services have sprung up on the web offering free text online.
What are these services that offer free text online?
These services are much like instant messaging services. You create an account, log-in to the account, and send messages. But instead of the recipient receiving your sent messages on a computer, they will receive it on their mobile phone. You on the other hand, are sending the message using a computer.
Why is it free?
Why are other things free online? Maybe the creators are earning through advertising, or maybe they're earning enough through donations, perhaps they have a revenue-sharing agreement with the mobile phone carriers they support, or maybe the creators are just plain philanthropists. Yeah, it could happen. The internet after all is the world of open source, freeware, and shareware programs.
Do I have to do anything special to use the service?
Aside from signing up? No. You may need to provide your mobile phone number if you want your account connected to your phone so it can receive messages sent to your account whenever you're offline. But otherwise, there's nothing else required. If you don't want to provide your mobile phone number or if you have no phone, you can simply use your email address to sign-up and register for an account.
Are there other benefits aside from sending free text online?
Some online text messaging services also provide free email and free MMS forwarding. There are also some services that are able to seamlessly function both as an online text messaging service and an instant messaging service allowing you to connect with your friends using other instant messaging services such as Skype, Google Talk, and Yahoo Messenger. Are there hidden charges I should be aware of?
None. You don't even need the use of a credit card to sign-up for most of these services. However, you need to read carefully their terms as some online text messaging client charges recipients whenever they reply to your messages. How can I be sure my privacy is kept and that my messages aren't being read by others?
Read the service's privacy policy and other disclaimers. To be safe, use services from reputable websites or companies. Try to find out as much information as you can before using a particular service or signing-up on a particular website. My friend says he/she never received my messages, what's up with that?
The providers aren't guaranteeing that every message sent will be received. If you have any problems sending messages, you should direct them to the concerned mobile carriers as the problems may be occurring on their end.
Why is it free?
Why are other things free online? Maybe the creators are earning through advertising, or maybe they're earning enough through donations, perhaps they have a revenue-sharing agreement with the mobile phone carriers they support, or maybe the creators are just plain philanthropists. Yeah, it could happen. The internet after all is the world of open source, freeware, and shareware programs.
Do I have to do anything special to use the service?
Aside from signing up? No. You may need to provide your mobile phone number if you want your account connected to your phone so it can receive messages sent to your account whenever you're offline. But otherwise, there's nothing else required. If you don't want to provide your mobile phone number or if you have no phone, you can simply use your email address to sign-up and register for an account.
Are there other benefits aside from sending free text online?
Some online text messaging services also provide free email and free MMS forwarding. There are also some services that are able to seamlessly function both as an online text messaging service and an instant messaging service allowing you to connect with your friends using other instant messaging services such as Skype, Google Talk, and Yahoo Messenger. Are there hidden charges I should be aware of?
None. You don't even need the use of a credit card to sign-up for most of these services. However, you need to read carefully their terms as some online text messaging client charges recipients whenever they reply to your messages. How can I be sure my privacy is kept and that my messages aren't being read by others?
Read the service's privacy policy and other disclaimers. To be safe, use services from reputable websites or companies. Try to find out as much information as you can before using a particular service or signing-up on a particular website. My friend says he/she never received my messages, what's up with that?
The providers aren't guaranteeing that every message sent will be received. If you have any problems sending messages, you should direct them to the concerned mobile carriers as the problems may be occurring on their end.
