MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. It is the standard way to send messages from one device to another through a network.
As the name Multimedia, we can suggest from here that it is not only for sending text messages, we can also send multimedia like images, audio clips and video clips, and many more things.
It is the extension used for SMS(Short Message Service) where we send and receive text messages only with the limitation of only 160 characters in one SMS.
Most of the smartphones support MMS messaging nowadays. Basically it is the advanced version of the text messaging with the additional feature of multimedia.
For Example:
If you type a text-only message it will deliver as an SMS but if you include images and other media you want then it will be delivered as an MMS and vice-versa.
If your device is not capable of receiving MMS messaging then it will be shown to you as a text-messages with a URL where you can view the media from the Web-Browser.
History
MMS was developed in 1984. It is the advanced version of SMS(SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE) where you can send only text messages. Earlier MMS services were not easily used as it is used nowadays. The customers have to suffer multiple technical issues. So, many companies have resolved this issue by methods like handset detection, content optimization, and increased throughput.
China is the first country that introduced MMS service in a commercial way. In 2009, the chairman and CEO of China Mobile said that MMS service in China is now a mature service in place of the SMS service.
Norway is the most advanced MMS market in Europe. In 2008, Norwegian MMS usage level passed 84% of all the mobile subscribers.
As the usage of smartphones increased in 2010-2013. In the same way, the usage of MMS services is widely increased due to the increased usage of smartphones.
Modes of sending MMS
There are basically six modes which are as follows:
- Sending messages to an MMS mobile phone via an MMS mobile phone.
It can be sent in the same way as we send SMS messages, except that MMS messages include multimedia contents. - Sending messages to a non-MMS mobile phone via an MMS mobile phone.
Since the non-MMS mobile phones can’t receive a multimedia message, the MMS system automatically forwards the messages to the receiver’s corresponding email box and then sends a notification to his mobile phone. - Sending messages to email boxes via an MMS mobile phone Multimedia messages can be sent via an MMS mobile phone to an email box, and the receiver logs on the email box to read the messages. However, most email boxes don’t support multimedia messages yet.
- Sending messages to an MMS mobile phone via an email box.
A user logs on to his email box, selects multimedia messages to sent, inputs a receiver’s MMS mobile phone number, and send the messages as an attachment. - Downloading multimedia messages from the internet to an MMS mobile phone.
A user can customize and order multimedia messages on websites that provide MMSs and then send MMS to an MMS mobile phone. - Sending messages from an MMS mobile phone to personal e-albums.
A user can send MMS messages to his personal e-album via an MMS mobile phone. User writes MMS messages in mobile phones, inputs the album website number, and then sends the messages.
Advantages
- We can easily send and deliver MMS messages.
- The MMS messages which we received, we can store them (save them) and also we can forward messages.
- Users are using these services as they are user-friendly.
- These services are interactive.
- Image, video, and other media-rich content allows for better branding.
Disadvantages
- MMS service is not available on all mobile phones. So, we cannot use this service in all the phones.
- Some multimedia content has some resolution issues due to the varied display sizes of different phones.
- As it a service provided to us but there are also extra charges associated with it. If we have to use this service we have to pay extra charges for this service.
- Users who have opted in to an MMS database don’t necessarily have an MMS enabled phone. Sending bulk MMS messages is often only available through a dedicated messaging platform rather than a network.