3. A SILENT REVOLUTION

Short Messaging Service or SMS was conceived as a part of the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) digital standard.  It is the ability to send and receive text messages (alphanumeric) on a mobile phone. SMS, like e-mail, is a store and forward service that utilizes gateways to send messages from senders to the recipients.

A SILENT REVOLUTION |   |Bihar Board 9th | 100 Marks English | By Sunil Sir

However, messages are not sent directly from the sender to the receiver but are routed through a Short Messaging Service Centre, (SMSC) run by the service provider. This ensures that the message is delivered at the destination mobile even if it is switched off or out of the coverage area. The SMSC stores the message and forwards it when the mobile is switched on or enters the network. Normally, messages are delivered instantly but at times there can be a delay of some hours due to congestion.

Let’s Sum:

1.        Name the lesson and its author.
ANS: The name of the lesson is “A silent Revolution” and its author is Kunal Varma.

2.         What is the full form of SMS, SMSC and GSM?
Full form of SMS is Short Message Service and for SMSC is Short Message Service Centre and for GSM is Global System for Mobile Communication.

3.        How are the messages sent?
The message is not sent directly but are delivered from SMSC which run by the service provider.

4.      What happened when the receiver’s mobile is switched off?
The SMSC stores the message and forwards it when the mobile is switched on or enters in the network.

5.      Find a word from the passage which means ‘imagined’.
Conceived.

A SILENT REVOLUTION |   |Bihar Board 9th | 100 Marks English | by Sunil Sir

2. The beauty of SMS is that messages can be sent and received even while making voice calls. This is possible because a voice call takes over a dedicated radio channel for the duration of the call, while the short messages travel over and above the radio channel using the signaling path. The process of sending messages and reading them generally varies from handset to handset. However, confirmation of message delivery is immediate and there is always an alert signal to convey the arrival of a message. SMS messages are immediate but not simultaneous like the Instant Messaging Service, which allows virtual real-time text conversations with people who are simultaneously logged on to the Internet.

Let’s Sum:

1.      What is the beauty of SMS?
Ans: The beauty of SMS is that messages can be sent and received even while making a voice call.

2.       Why do the messages vary?
Ans: The process of sending messages and reading them generally varies from handset to handset.

3.      How are SMS messages?
SMS messages are immediate but not simultaneous like the Instant Messaging Services which allows virtual real-time text conversation with people who are logged on to the Internet.

4.      Find the word from the text which means ‘devoted’.
Dedicated.

A SILENT REVOLUTION |   |Bihar Board 9th | 100 Marks English | By Sunil Sir

3. Access to SMS is generally free and a beginner has only to register the network service Centre into his/her handset. The message service Centre number for BSNL is +919434099997. The launch of SMS opened a new vista in the field of text communication, providing a new easy way for the people to communicate. The limitation of characters (160 for the GSM networks at present) or the tedious process of typing from the small handset keypads failed to deter the spirit of the enthusiasts. The SMS revolution that took roots in Europe slowly spread to other parts of the globe, especially Asia. From the first short message, believed to have been sent in December 1992 from a PC to a mobile phone on the Vodafone GSM network in the UK, SMS has come a long way today.

Let’s Sum:

1.    What has to do a beginner for SMS? A beginner has only to register the network service Centre into his handset for SMS

2.    What has opened a new era? The launch of SMS has opened a new era in the field of text communication.

3.    What is the limitation of characters for the GSM network at present? The limitation of characters for GSM networks at present is 160.-

4.    When did the SMS revolution take place?

The SMS revolution that took roots in Europe’s when the first short message has been sent in December 1992 from a PC to a mobile phone on the Vodafone GSM network in the UK.

A SILENT REVOLUTION |   |Bihar Board 9th | 100 Marks English | by Sunil Sir

4. Judging by its success, at present not many would believe that SMS had a very silent beginning. Not even the cellular operators could comprehend the potential of this sleepy technology initially and cared little to advertise it as an attraction for mobile users. However, all that is history now. Today every market player, from cellular operators to mobile handset manufactures, is keen to capture its share of the pie. Nokia recently launched the first Hindi compatible handsets 3350, to give its users the option of sending messages in Hindi. Buoyed by the success of SMS, the industry is now preparing for the more advanced MMS or multimedia messaging service, which would enable pictures, sounds and longer formatted texts to be sent to other MMS-enabled terminals or e-mail addresses via the mobile.

Let’s Sum:

1.    What would not be believed about SMS?
SMS’ success at present not many would believe that SMS had a very silent beginning.

2.    What is the condition of mobile these days?
These days every market player, from cellular operators to mobile handset manufactures is keen to capture its share of the pie.

3.    What do you know about Hindi handset?
Nokia recently launched the first Hindi compatible handsets 3350 to its users the option of sending a message in Hindi

4.    What are possible in the near future?
The industry is now preparing for the more advanced MMS or multi-media messaging service which would enable pictures, sounds and longer formatted text to be sent to other MMS.