Text messages 20 years old today

Everything Goes · 03-12-2012, 17:36

It was 20 years ago today when the first text message was sent. Neil Papworth sent a Merry Christmas to a mobile phone a trend that was sent to continue. Text messages may have reached their peak as people opt for social networking.

When I had my first mobile on Orange Pay As You Talk they didn't allow pay as you go customer to send text messages

I know that Cellnet were happy to allow their pay as you go customers to send text messages before Orange pulled their finger out.

There were also interoperability issues between networks back in the day. Also when Vodafone first introduced text message they were free as the didn't think they would ever catch on!

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/03/sms_twenty/

IslandNiles · 03-12-2012, 18:20

America was so slow to catch on with texts too.

niceguy1966 · 03-12-2012, 18:34

I still love SMS. I use it far more than instant message. The network gives me 100s per month so it doesn't eat into my data allowance.

And everyone has it on their phone, they don't need to download anything or log in, I don't need to know any extra ID for them.

Batch · 03-12-2012, 19:32

I remember the joyous day that the networks allowed cross network texting.

Its true that telephony in the US used to be so far behind us. Pagers were still popular there while Europe was merrily texting. Complete reversal now though (compared to the UK).

God, 20 years ago. I feel so old. Oh wait, I am.

jarryhack · 03-12-2012, 20:06

I send hundreds of texts per month, I also use Facebook messenger too. I got my first mobile phone in 1997, I remember looking through the menu's and wondering what the messaging was all about. I don't think I ever sent a text using that first phone!

03-12-2012, 17:36	#1
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Text messages 20 years old today It was 20 years ago today when the first text message was sent. Neil Papworth sent a Merry Christmas to a mobile phone a trend that was sent to continue. Text messages may have reached their peak as people opt for social networking. When I had my first mobile on Orange Pay As You Talk they didn't allow pay as you go customer to send text messages I know that Cellnet were happy to allow their pay as you go customers to send text messages before Orange pulled their finger out. There were also interoperability issues between networks back in the day. Also when Vodafone first introduced text message they were free as the didn't think they would ever catch on! http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/03/sms_twenty/

03-12-2012, 18:20	#2
IslandNiles Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 13,091	America was so slow to catch on with texts too.

03-12-2012, 18:34	#3
niceguy1966 Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 12,488	I still love SMS. I use it far more than instant message. The network gives me 100s per month so it doesn't eat into my data allowance. And everyone has it on their phone, they don't need to download anything or log in, I don't need to know any extra ID for them.

03-12-2012, 19:32	#4
Batch Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Swindon Posts: 2,894	I remember the joyous day that the networks allowed cross network texting. Its true that telephony in the US used to be so far behind us. Pagers were still popular there while Europe was merrily texting. Complete reversal now though (compared to the UK). God, 20 years ago. I feel so old. Oh wait, I am.

03-12-2012, 20:06	#5
jarryhack Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NE Posts: 4,698	I send hundreds of texts per month, I also use Facebook messenger too. I got my first mobile phone in 1997, I remember looking through the menu's and wondering what the messaging was all about. I don't think I ever sent a text using that first phone!

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Text messages 20 years old today