A text message of up to 160 characters without an attached file is known as an SMS, while a text

that includes a file—like a picture, video, emoji, or a website link—becomes an MMS.

What is SMS (Short Message Service)?

SMS (Short Message Service), commonly referred to as "text messaging," is a
service for sending short messages of up to 160 characters (224 character
limit if using a 5-bit mode) to mobile devices, including cellular phones
and smartphones.

How does SMS work?

SMS is similar to paging. However, SMS messages do not require the mobile
phone to be active and within range and will be held for several days until the
phone is active and within range.

SMS messages are transmitted via mobile data over cellular networks --

starting with 2G -- to anyone with roaming service capability.

They can also be sent digitally in many other ways, including the following:

 from one Wi-Fi-enabled device to another;

 from web-based applications within a web browser;

 from instant messaging clients;

 from VoIP applications like Skype; and

 from some unified communications applications.

Wireless Application Protocol

 Difficulty Level : Basic
 Last Updated : 08 Aug, 2019

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WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol. It is a protocol designed for micro-
browsers and it enables the access of internet in the mobile devices. It uses the mark-up
language WML (Wireless Markup Language and not HTML), WML is defined as XML
1.0 application. It enables creating web applications for mobile devices. In 1998, WAP
Forum was founded by Ericson, Motorola, Nokia and Unwired Planet whose aim was to
standardize the various wireless technologies via protocols.
WAP protocol was resulted by the joint efforts of the various members of WAP Forum.
In 2002, WAP forum was merged with various other forums of the industry resulting in
the formation of Open Mobile Alliance (OMA).

GPRS - Overview
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General Packet Radio System is also known as GPRS is a third-generation step
toward internet access. GPRS is also known as GSM-IP that is a Global-System Mobile
Communications Internet Protocol as it keeps the users of this system online, allows to
make voice calls, and access internet on-the-go. Even Time-Division Multiple Access
(TDMA) users benefit from this system as it provides packet radio access.
GPRS also permits the network operators to execute an Internet Protocol (IP) based
core architecture for integrated voice and data applications that will continue to be used
and expanded for 3G services.
GPRS supersedes the wired connections, as this system has simplified access to the
packet data networks like the internet. The packet radio principle is employed by GPRS
to transport user data packets in a structure way between GSM mobile stations and
external packet data networks. These packets can be directly routed to the packet
switched networks from the GPRS mobile stations.
In the current versions of GPRS, networks based on the Internet Protocol (IP) like the
global internet or private/corporate intranets and X.25 networks are supported.

Who owns GPRS ?

The GPRS specifications are written by the European Telecommunications Standard
Institute (ETSI), the European counterpart of the American National Standard Institute
(ANSI).

Key Features
Following three key features describe wireless packet data:
 The always online feature - Removes the dial-up process, making applications
only one click away.
 An upgrade to existing systems - Operators do not have to replace their
equipment; rather, GPRS is added on top of the existing infrastructure.
 An integral part of future 3G systems - GPRS is the packet data core network
for 3G systems EDGE and WCDMA.

Goals of GPRS
GPRS is the first step toward an end-to-end wireless infrastructure and has the
following goals:

 Open architecture
 Consistent IP services
 Same infrastructure for different air interfaces
 Integrated telephony and Internet infrastructure
 Leverage industry investment in IP
 Service innovation independent of infrastructure

Benefits of GPRS
Higher Data Rate
GPRS benefits the users in many ways, one of which is higher data rates in turn of
shorter access times. In the typical GSM mobile, setup alone is a lengthy process and
 equally, rates for data permission are restrained to 9.6 kbit/s. The session establishment
time offered while GPRS is in practice is lower than one second and ISDN-line data
rates are up to many 10 kbit/s.
Easy Billing
GPRS packet transmission offers a more user-friendly billing than that offered by circuit
switched services. In circuit switched services, billing is based on the duration of the
connection. This is unsuitable for applications with bursty traffic. The user must pay for
the entire airtime, even for idle periods when no packets are sent (e.g., when the user
reads a Web page).
In contrast to this, with packet switched services, billing can be based on the amount of
transmitted data. The advantage for the user is that he or she can be "online" over a
long period of time but will be billed based on the transmitted data volume.

What is EDGE(Enhanced Data Rate for

GSM Evolution)?
 Difficulty Level : Easy
 Last Updated : 10 May, 2020

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EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate For GSM Evolution) provides a higher rate of data
transmission than normal GSM. It uses a backward-compatible extension of GSM of
digital mobile technology.EDGE has a pre-3G radio technology and uses part of ITU’s
3G definition. It can work on any network deployed with GPRS (with necessary
upgrades).
In order to increase data transmission speed, EDGE was deployed on the GSM network
in 2003 by Cingular in the USA.
Working
It uses 8PSK modulation in order to achieve a higher data transmission rate. The
modulation format is changed to 8PSK from GMSK. This provides an advantage as it is
able to convey 3 bits per symbol, and increases the maximum data rate. However, this
upgrade required a change in the base station.

Features
 It provides an evolutionary migration path from GPRS to UMTS.
 It is standardized by 3GPP.
 EDGE is used for any packet switched application,like an Internet connection.
 EDGE delivers higher bit-rates per radio channel and it increase the capacity and
performance.
Advantage
 It has higher speed.
 It is an “always-on” connection
 It is more reliable and efficient
 It is cost efficient
Disadvantage
 It consumes more battery.
 hardware needs upgradation.
 Introduction of High Speed Downlink
Packet Access (HSDPA)
 Last Updated : 29 Nov, 2021

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HSDPA stands for High Speed Downlink Packet Access. 
It provides faster download speeds. It is an upgrade from the form of UMTS. HSDPA
provides a download rate of up to 7.2 Mbps. HSDPA is an enhanced 3G mobile
telephone communications protocol. The 3.5G, 3G+ or turbo 3G, which allows networks
based on Universal Mobile Telecommunications System to have higher data transfer
speeds and capacity.Peak theoretical speeds of 14.4 Mbps.Increased packet data support.
Increase maximum user throughput for downlink packet data. Lower packet delay. 
The improved downlink provides up to 14 Mbit/s with significantly reduced latency.
Current devices support 7.2 Mbps throughput. In order to support HSDPA features with
minimal impact on the existing radio interface protocol architecture, a new MAC sub-
layer, MAC-hs, has been introduced. It has many features like fast scheduling, fast link
adaptation, Short transmission time interval, and many more. It has Adaptive Modulation
and Coding Technology. It has HARQ Technology. It has 16QAM Modulation. 
What does HSPDA offer ? 
 Speed – 
Faster downstream throughput.It also supports services requiring instantaneous high
data rates in downlink, e.g., Internet browsing. 
 
 Capacity – 
It has 3-4 times improved system capacity at relatively low cost. 
 
 Reduced delay – 
It reduced delay, with HSDPA round trip times can be reduced to below 100 ms. 
 
 Network coverage – 
Short time to market with existing sites, no new sites are needed.Improved end-user
quality. 
Methods used by HSPDA :  
1. Short transmission time interval (TTI)
2. Higher order modulation
3. Fast scheduling and user diversity
4. Fast link adaptation
Applications of HSDPA :  
 HSDPA helps reduce time delay in data transmission and improves system
throughput.
 It optimizes system spectrum efficiency.
 It is also true that experience of using HSDPA is very similar to that of using fixed-
line ADSL service.
 It is particularly suitable for uplink and downlink asymmetric traffic and burst data
traffic.
 Fast scheduling
 Shared Channel and multicde transmission
How does HSDPA works ? 
HSDPA represents an evolution of WCDMA radio interface, which uses few methods to
those by EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) technology for GSM radio
interface. 
The fundamental characteristics which enable increase in data throughput and capacity
with reduced latency are given below:  
 Time and code multiplexing of users.
 Multi-Code transmission.
 Fixed Spreading Factor (SF = 16).
 Shorter TTI = 2ms.
 No DTX (Discontinuous transmission)for data channel.
 No power control.
 No soft handover.
The steps for operation of HSDPA are :  
1. UE reports CQI via HS-DPCCH(High Speed Dedicated Physical Control Channel).
2. Node B determines which UE to be served using HS-SCCH(High Speed Signalling
Control Channel).
3. Node B informs UE to be served using HS-SCCH(High Speed Signalling Control
Channel).
4. Data delivered via HS-DSCH(High Speed Downlink Shared Channel).
5. UE acknowledges via HS-DPCCH(High Speed Dedicated Physical Control Channel).
Features of HSDPA :  
1. Adaptive modulation and coding (AMC)
2. Multi-code operation
3. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)
4. Higher order modulation
5. Short transmission time interval
6. Fast link adaptation
7. Fast scheduling
Advantages of HSDPA  
 It offers gain of radio capacity.
 The network can employ data schedulers that gives higher priority to real-time
applications,
 It gives highest data load in downlink direction.
  Employs shorter frame length can react faster to problems in radio channel.
 It provides shorter delays that enables new applications such as interactive networked
games.
 Mobile operators can compete with WiFi using HSDPA as they need not require
distributed APs.
 It’s best for applications with highly variable bandwidth.
Disadvantages of HSDPA : 
 The HSDPA will cause 3G network to run on higher load rate everytime.So this
increases noise on existing UMTS and then decreases UMTS capacity.
 Not suitable for applications with low band-width requirements, such as voice.
 There is No soft handover and hence pico-cells overlap in same building and will
generate self interference
 HSDPA supports usage of UMTS network only on downlink.

What is MMS(Multimedia Messaging

Service)?
 Last Updated : 22 May, 2020

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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

Difference between 3G and 4G

Technology
 Last Updated : 21 Feb, 2023

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3G and 4G are often differentiated regarding technology compliance, information transfer
rate, capacity, information processing design, variety of connections, etc. 3G stands
for Third Generation within which optimized mobile square measure developed for
sanctioning information and broadband services with the higher property. 4G LTE stands
for Fourth Generation delivers a lot of capability for faster and jury-rigged mobile
broadband experiences and permits a lot of connections. 

Let’s see the difference between 3g and 4g technology:

S.NO 3G Technology 4G Technology

While it stands for 4th

It stands for 3rd generation technology.
1. generation technology.

The maximum upload rate of 3G While the maximum upload rate of

2. technology is 5 Mbps. 4G technology is 500 Mbps.

The maximum download rate of 3G While the maximum download rate

3. technology is 21 Mbps. of 4G technology is 1 Gbps.

While it uses the packet switching

It uses a packet switching technique. technique as well as the message
4. switching technique.

The frequency range of 3G technology is While its frequency range is from 2

5. from 1.8 GHz to 2.5 GHz. GHz to 8 GHz.

While it is lenient horizontally as

It is lenient horizontally.
6. well as vertically.

While it is the integration of
It is a wide area cell-based network
Wireless LAN as well as Wide Area
architecture.
7. cell-based network architecture.

There are turbo codes are used for error 4G technology uses concatenated
8. correction in 3G technology. codes for error correction.

The technology used in 3G

The technology used in 4G
is WCDMA(Wideband Code Division
is LTE(Long-Term Evolution), and
Multiple Access), Digital Broadband
WiMAX(Worldwide Interoperability
Packet Data CDMA 2000, UMTS,
for Microwave Access).
9. EDGE, etc.

Internet Service is ultra-broadband in

Internet Service is broadband in 3G.
10. 4G.

11. Data bandwidth is 2 Mbps – 21 Mbps. Data bandwidth is 2 Mbps – 1 Gbps.