SMS has been around for a long time, but it has evolved a lot over the years and continues to do so. From simple text messages to media-rich communications, SMS has remained a staple form of communication for nearly 30 years.
Text messaging is so popular today that 75% of millennials prefer it over voice calls. But does the technology have the staying power to last into the 2020s? As long as SMS continues to evolve alongside other mobile technologies, it’s likely to remain one of the most useful forms of communication.
The Rise of 5G Wireless
The next generation of cellular technology is already here – for some people. In the U.S., 5G networks have arrived in a handful of major cities across the country, and the technology is still pending in Canada. However, many service providers are aiming to roll out 5G coverage on a greater scale in 2020.
5G technology has a theoretical peak speed of 20 gigabytes-per-second (Gbps), compared with 4G’s peak of 1 Gbps. That means that more information can be sent to users faster than ever before. That could mean almost non-existent wait times for images and other rich media SMS.
Emerging Uses For A2P
Application-to-person (A2P) messaging has a proven track record and companies continue to invest in the technology. In fact, the global enterprise A2P market is expected to grow to over $100 billion by 2025.
A2P has many potential uses in the financial, transportation, employment and health care verticals, as well as many others. Common and emerging use cases include:
- Account security.
- Customer engagement.
- Customer nurturing.
- Internet of Things notifications.
Automation is a key aspect of A2P, and it’s one of the reasons the solution can help businesses control costs. By automating messages, organizations can reserve human resources for tasks that require more nuanced solutions.
Group Messaging for Teams
Connecting business teams via mobile is easier with group text messaging. Compared to internet-based messaging apps, which require a Wi-Fi connection, users can transmit SMS anywhere there’s a cell signal.
Group messaging services enable organizational stakeholders to manage SMS communications in a highly intuitive manner. Administrators can create multiple groups, add contacts and start sending messages immediately.
Other group texting features include:
- Cross-network functionality.
- Scheduled texts.
- Recurring texts.
- Web-to-cell messages.
Considering the high open rate of SMS, group texting can be a powerful collaboration tool that helps teams get more done.
SMS Chatbots For Hire
Chatbots have become common on the web. They answer simple questions for customers and can automatically escalate advanced queries to human customer service representatives. This strategy saves time and conserves valuable resources.
Though less ubiquitous, SMS chatbots are gaining in popularity thanks to their many benefits, such as the ability to measure traditional advertising. For example, adding a unique “Text us” call to action to TV commercials, billboards and radio ads gives you the power to measure engagement with those assets.
Plus, chatbots provide a conversational and intuitive communication channel. Customers can get the information they need immediately, rather than waiting for a representative to pick up the line.
Sign up for a free demo of Swift SMS Gateway to learn more about how to extend the reach of your business.
