What is MMS?
Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is an upgraded version of the SMS (Short Messaging Service) through which you can send and receive multimedia messages such as texts, pictures, video clips, audio clips, etc., with any other compatible cell phone. It's an advanced messaging service that lets users send multiple media in one single message to one or more recipients.
How Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) Works
You must be wondering, how one can create a multimedia message. The answer is quite simple – you can take pictures with your built-in camera phone, upload audio or video clips in your cell phone via the Internet or via a USB port or Bluetooth wireless technology. The only condition is that the recipient should have a compatible cell phone. If your phone does not support MMS, you cannot send and receive multimedia messages via MMS.
Once you send the MMS file to the recipient, and if the recipient phone is switched off, in that case also, your message will be sent. The recipient will receive the MMS as soon as the phone is switched on. In non-roaming situation, the message goes directly in your phone and is downloaded automatically without prior notification. You can save your MMS and send it to any other users phone.
Each multimedia message may contain more than one page, just like a PowePoint slide show. Each page may contain some text, audio file or video clips attached, with specified time period.
There is a general procedure to understand how MMS works. In this procedure, a photo is being sent to another compatible phone.
- Step one: Take a photo from your built-in camera phone or download via the Internet.
- Step two: Personalize the text, graphics, audio or video clips.
- Step three: Add recipients' number and send.
The recipient on the other side will receive a message alert. Once he opens the message, a picture message will appear on the screen. If there is any text, it will appear below the image. In case, you send MMS to a non-compatible cell phone – the recipient will a SMS with a default line, "You have been sent a picture message!"
There are many challenges that exist with MMS:
- Adaptation of multimedia content: There may be a difference in the compatibility of multimedia content for different brands of cell phones. If the network operator is supporting your content adaptation – you can enjoy compatibility with more networks and vice versa.
- Cell phone configuration: Multimedia Messaging Service requires some parameters to be correctly placed in you handset. Sometimes, due to poor configuration, you may not receive messages.
- Bulk messaging: Sometimes, if you send MMS to a large number of subscribers, there might be some difficulty in sending messages. Now transactional overloads are being optimized.
Moreover, there are several similar terms such as Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) – very similar to SMS (Short Messaging Service), allowing you to send or receive messages with some special text formatting options such as bold, color, sound effect, icons, etc.
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