> SMS uses the signaling or paging channels and does not require a
> dedicated connection, and moreover does not use much "bandwidth," so
> thousands of text messages occupy the same network capacity that
> would support only one voice call.
Which is why so many of us were absolutely torqued when the cellcos increased the cost for individual text messages from piddling to 20 cents or more for providing the service charging 1000% or more over the price it actually costs to provide the service. They want to force people to buy message packages. Just recently Death Star... er AT&T changed and where they formerly offered a package of 1,000 messages for $5 discontinued that package so they could have only one offering "unlimited" for $20 per month.