Why SMS Still Matters

Remember voting via SMS for your favorite contestant on TV shows or quickly texting friends to organize a meetup? In the early 2000s, SMS messaging revolutionized the way we communicate, rapidly becoming an everyday part of life. At its peak around 2007, we collectively sent about 1.8 trillion SMS messages worldwide (Wikipedia). Fast forward to today, despite the rise of apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, SMS is thriving in the business world. In fact, businesses alone sent over 2 trillion SMS messages in 2023 (Mobilesquared).

Universal Reach: SMS’s Unique Advantage

The secret to SMS’s ongoing success is simple: universal reach. Unlike messaging apps, SMS doesn’t require users to have internet access, install specific apps, or even own a smartphone. Banks trust SMS to securely deliver login codes and important transaction alerts, ensuring customers can always access their accounts safely. Similarly, healthcare providers such as the Mayo Clinic depend on SMS to remind patients of appointments, significantly reducing the chances of missed visits.

SMS in Developing Markets

SMS is especially important in regions with limited internet coverage and smartphone usage. Take Uganda as an example: when farmers faced a severe outbreak of banana bacterial wilt, SMS proved essential. Farmers quickly received crucial advice on how to handle the disease, saving millions of bananas and protecting local livelihoods (The Guardian).

EU’s Digital Markets Act & SMS

Recently, the European Union introduced the Digital Markets Act (DMA), encouraging messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal to become interoperable. While this might sound convenient, it further highlights why SMS remains unique.
SMS isn’t tied to any specific platform or internet connectivity—it’s reliable and available to anyone with a mobile phone. This reliability is particularly crucial for regulated sectors like finance and healthcare, where message delivery must be guaranteed. Businesses are going to need SMS as a reliable go-to channel for client communication for the foreseeable future.

The Challenges of Managing SMS

Of course, managing SMS at a large scale isn’t always straightforward. Issues like delayed deliveries, failed messages, and regulatory compliance can be complex and challenging. A delayed authentication code might prevent someone from accessing their bank account exactly when needed.

How RGTN Simplifies SMS

This is where RGTN steps in. We simplify global SMS management by connecting directly to telecom carriers worldwide. This direct approach helps avoid delays, ensures consistent delivery, and keeps messages fully compliant with international regulations. Additionally, we offer flexible sender ID options, ensuring messages always arrive reliably and securely.

Next time your bank sends you an authentication code or you receive an SMS update from a delivery service, remember: SMS remains at the heart of business communication. With a dependable provider like RGTN, your business can communicate securely, reliably, and compliantly today—and into the future.