Before sending any SMS messages, it is important to know first the type of SMS messages. In this article, you will get to know the different types of SMS messages. 

When accessing your dashboard you will notice that you can select six different message types:

1. Text: For 7-bit encoding messages.

2. Flash: For 8-bit encoding messages.

3. Arabic: For 16-bit encoding messages.

4. Unicode: For 16-bit encoding messages.

5. Others: For 16-bit encoding messages.

Choosing a suitable message type is important to ensure the message text is exactly delivered as it is. Different languages have different encoding standards. We can classify message encoding into three types:

1. 7-bit encoding: used only for English Alphabet Western-Arabic Numerals, punctuation marks, and common general typography. 7-bit encoding single SMS messaging capacity is 160 char/msg. If the message has more than 160 characters, messages will be concatenated and sent as one message but as 153 char/msg. Text message type is set to 7-bit encoding style.

English Alphabets:

Aa

Bb

Cc

Dd

Ee

Ff

Gg

Hh

Ii

Jj

Kk

Ll

Mm

Nn

Oo

Pp

Qq

Rr

Ss

Tt

Uu

Vv

Ww

Xx

Yy

Zz

Western-Arabic Numerals:

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 

2. 16-bit encoding: is an encoding type that allows different languages' alphabets to be used for messaging, together with different types of numeral systems, and symbols. 16-bit encoding single SMS messaging capacity is 70 char/msg. If the message has more than 70 characters, messages will be concatenated and send as one message but as 66 char/msg. Arabic, Unicode, and Others messaging types are set to 7-bit encoding style.

3. 8-bit encoding: It is used to pop-up and flash messages right away in the main screen of a mobile phone (use-cases e.g. Emergency). 8-bit encoding can be used to flash messages with English Alphabets, Western-Arabic Numerals, punctuation marks, and common general typography. 8-bit encoding single SMS messaging capacity is 140 char/msg. If the message has more than 140 characters, messages will be concatenated and send as one message but as 133 char/msg. Flash message type is set to 7-bit encoding style.

Note: Before sending any message, please check how many characters your message has. Long messages are supported up to 5 parts.