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A-Z of SMS Text Messaging Terminology

All of those texting terms explained:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A

API

Application Programming Interface. Enables you to send automatic text and picture messages by connecting your application with our interface.

Android

This is a mobile operating system developed by Google.

Application

Software solutions that power business solutions and their mobile marketing integration.

App

Short for application, a piece of software that runs on your mobile.

Automated Call backs

A call is generated automatically when a text is opened or a request for a call was requested by the recipient. The call can be instant, at a pre-requested time or can be stored if for example the text was opened/or call back requested outside of opening times.

Auto Response

An automatically generated SMS text message sent in response to inbound messages.

B

Binary Messages

Allows content such as ringtones, logos to be sent within a message. This content is temporarily converted into binary code to pass through mail services, it then reverts back when delivered.

Bulk SMS

Sending a message to many end users at the same time, this includes both mobiles and landlines.

C

Call to Action (CTA)

A prompt to encourage the recipient to do something, e.g. click to register, or to visit the website.

Click through

Measurement of the number of recipients who have clicked on a mobile web link in your text message.

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Characters

The number of letters, numbers, symbols and spaces in your text message. The maximum number of characters in one text is 160.

D

Data Cleansing

Ability to update and maintain your contact lists, removing invalid numbers etc.

Delivery Report

A report detailing the number of text messages delivered allowing you to monitor your activity.

Dedicated Inbound Number

A virtual mobile number assigned for only your activity/account.

Dedicated Short Code

A five digit text number assigned for only your activity/account.

E

Email to SMS

Ability to create and send emails which are converted and sent as text messages.

F

Free Text Short Code

A five digit text number that prospects/customers can use to send a free message back to you. Along the same lines as a Freephone number.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) allows you to transfer files between two computers on the Internet.

G

Gateway

A telecommunications network facility for the sending or receiving text message (SMS) transmissions to or from a telecommunications network that supports text messaging.

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H

HTTP

Stands for "HyperText Transfer Protocol." This is the protocol used to transfer data over the World Wide Web. That's why all website addresses begin with "http://".

HTTPS

Stands for "HyperText Transport Protocol Secure." HTTPS is the same thing as HTTP, but it uses a secure socket layer (SSL) for security purposes. Any site where you enter personal information or provide payment use this to keep your information secure.

I

Inbox

A folder where all messages received are stored.

Invalid Number

An incorrect or out of use phone number.

iPhone

This is a smartphone developed by Apple.

J

Junk Messages

Also known as Spam are unsolicited messages, sent indiscriminately to multiple mailing lists, individuals, or newsgroups.

K

KPI

Key Performance Indicator – companies set these to measure the performance of a campaign.

L

Location Based Services

Mobile marketing targeting people based on their current location, for example including details of their nearest Gym or branch in the message.

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M

Mobile Web Page/Site

A website/page designed for the small screens of mobile phones, making content easier to read and navigate.

Mobile Coupon

A coupon that is sent via SMS, MMS or mobile web page which can be redeemed at the relevant venue.

Mobile App

A mobile application, most commonly referred to as an app, is a type of application software designed to run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer.

Mobile Terminated (MT)

Also known as Premium SMS service and Reverse Billing, it means that the user of the recipient phone rather than the message sender is charged for the cost of the SMS message received.

MMS Message

Multimedia Messaging Service is a decendant of MMS. It extends messaging to include longer text, pictures, graphics, audio and video clips.

Mobile Database

A collection of mobile telephone numbers and in most cases will include other information such as the source of the number and contact name to allow personalisation and targeting.

N

Network Operator

The company to which your mobile service is provided by, such as o2, Vodafone, EE, Orange and T-Mobile.

O

Opt-In, Opt-Out

The term given to differentiate whether a mobile number has given permission for you to text them (opt-in), or if they have chosen to not receive your messages anymore (opt-out).

P

Portal

A web portal or public portal refers to a website or service that offers a broad array of resources and services, such as email, forums, search engines, and online shopping malls. The first Web portals were online services, such as AOL.

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Premium SMS Service

Also known as Reverse Billing and Mobile Terminated (MT), it means that the user of the recipient phone rather than the message sender is charged for the cost of the SMS message received.

Q

QR Code

A square patterned representation of data acting as a quick response code which can be read by any Smart phone which has installed the relevant software.

R

Reseller

The option to resell the RedSMS platform and earn commission.

Reverse Billing

Also known as Premium SMS service and Mobile Terminated (MT), it means that the user of the recipient phone rather than the message sender is charged for the cost of the SMS message received.

S

Short Code

A five digit text number that is often used in marketing campaigns as a quick and easy way of responding to an advert.

Smart Phone

Mobile phones with internet access, and a host of other applications such as Music, GPS and maps, games enabling the device to do much more than call and send texts.

SMS Message

Short Message Service - A short text message (maximum 160 characters long) that can be sent from and to a mobile phone.

Sender Name

The name or number that appears as the 'from' name on the receiving handset.

SMPP

Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP) is an open, industry-standard protocol for sending text messages (SMS) data over the internet. It is mainly used for connecting 3rd parties with SMS Centres, allowing various types of automated SMS services.

Spam

Also known as Junk, are unsolicited messages, sent indiscriminately to multiple mailing lists, individuals, or newsgroups.

T

Text Credits

You pay for each text message by using a credit. These credits are generally bought in bulk. One credit is worth one 160 character text message.

Text to Win

The process of people texting their answer to a competition using their phone by entering a SMS Short Code to easily enter.

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Ticketing

The basic process whereby customers can order, make payments, obtain, or validate tickets from their mobile device.

U

URL

Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is a formatted text string used by Web browsers, email clients and other software to identify files that can be plain Web pages, other text documents, graphics, or programs on the Internet.

V

Vcard

vCard is an electronic business card and is often attached to email messages, but can be exchanged in other ways, such as on the World Wide Web or instant messaging. They can contain name and address information, phone numbers, email addresses, URLs, logos, photographs, and audio clips.

Vcal

vCalendar (vCal) is an online calendar for exchanging scheduling and activity-recording information electronically.

W

WAP

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), a set of protocols for connecting mobile phones and other radio devices to the Internet.

WAP push

The WAP Push technology makes it possible to send a specially encoded SMS text message with a description and link through to a WAP address (URL) on the internet.

Wi-Fi

This is wireless networking technology that allows computers and other devices to communicate over a wireless signal.

WLAN

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), is when a mobile user connects to a local area network via a wireless connection.

X

XML

Extensible mark-up language is a flexible way to create common information formats and share both the format and the data on the World Wide Web, intranets, and elsewhere.

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Over 200 SMS or MMS are sent per person per month. (Source Ofcom)

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Text 'CALL' to 85500
to request a call back

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