SMS

The 160 character limit of SMS messages has not deterred cellphone users from making the most of this service. Instead, Short Messaging Service (SMS) has inspired a new language consisting of abbreviations and alternative spellings that’s set to become the lingua franca of an entire generation.

How do I get it?

SMS is available to all MTN Users. All MTN SIM cards are pre-programmed with the MTN SMS service centre number embedded on the card. For information on how to access the service from your particular handset, please consult your handset’s instruction manual.

MTN SMS Service Centre Number: +2686011033

How does it work?

In order to use this service, you’ll need to ensure that the SMS Service Centre Number has been put into your cellphone. Please consult your cellphone’s instruction manual for more information on how to check this setting.

Sending an SMS

This part is very easy. Just select Messages on your cellphone, and then go to the New Message menu. You can also send SMS messages directly from the MTN website.

Additional SMS features

Some newer cellphones will offer additional features such as predictive text (T9 Dictionary) and enhanced message services (EMS).

Predictive Text (T9 Dictionary)

This feature attempts to predict the word you are trying to type, thereby reducing the number of times you need to punch your keys. This helps to speed up your typing on a small cellphone keypad.

Enhanced Message Service (EMS)

This service is not supported on all cellphones. With this service, you can include simple animations and sounds to make your messages more colourful and expressive. This is not the same as MMS.

Integrated Messages (Long Messages)

This feature allows you to exceed the 160 character limitation of the SMS service by splitting messages that exceed 160 characters into several messages and delivering them either as individual messages or as a single long message, depending on the recipient’s cellphone.

Receiving an SMS

Your cellphone will alert you when you’ve received a new SMS. It should also prompt you to read the new message. Follow the simple on-screen prompt and read the message.

Cellphone chat applications

Some cellphones feature chat applications. This feature makes use of SMS, with each chat message being exchanged representing a single SMS message.

What does it cost?

Although there is no subscription fee for using the MTN SMS service, some products and tools that use SMS may require one.

The cost of a single SMS may vary according to your MTN subscription.

Other Messaging Services

SMS2Email Enables users to send and receive email messages to and from a mobile handset by means of the SMS.

MMS Sometimes words just aren’t enough to express yourself.