Why Are Text Messages Limited to 160 Characters?
If you've ever wondered why (or cursed the fact that) text messages are limited to 160 characters, this story, courtesy of the LA Times, may just put your mind at ease (or at least provide a target for your rage).
In 1985, German communications researcher Friedhelm Hillebrand realized that, after using a typewriter to type out random sentences, each message almost always came in under 160 characters. Hillebrand and his colleagues had been developing what would become known as text messaging, and, before the typewriter epiphany, the 160-character limit had been a point of debate.
In 1986, Hillebrand was working as the chairman of the non-voice services committee within the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). While there, he pushed for all cellular carriers and cell phones to support the short messaging system (SMS). Since bandwidth was one of the major stumbling blocks in front of SMS, Hillebrand suggested using a secondary radio channel that was already present on mobile networks. At first, only 128 characters could fit in this space, but, after some reorganization and trimming down of possible characters, Hillebrand's team was able to make the 160-character text message a reality. Whether or not that reality is one that can satisfy a text-crazy world is another topic altogether.
As for the technology's adoption, Hillebrand told the Los Angeles Times, "Nobody had foreseen how fast and quickly the young people would use this." [From: LA Times]
Teen Texting Craziness
Syracuse University professor Laurence Thomas made news last year for walking out of the classroom whenever his students disobeyed his "no texting in class" rule. Wouldn't the kind of student who would text in class be happy to have class canceled?
In January, 13-year-old Californian Reina Hardesty sent 14,528 text messages from her cell phone. Fortunately for her daddy, he had her on an unlimited text plan.
Two high school cheerleaders in Seattle were suspended from school in December when school officials found out that they had taken nude pictures of themselves on their cell phones and, mistakenly or not, wound up with them circulating through the football locker room. The girls' parents have filed suit against the school. You'd think they would just let the embarassment die quietly.
In December, while on a class trip (according to an Internet rumor anyway), the above message appeared on 18-year-old Elizabeth Frisinger's phone after mistakenly texting her dad, back home in Cleveland, that she'd just lost her virginity. Whoops!
Outdoing Reina Hardesty, 15-year-old Ohioan Paige Hornev averages 15,000 text messages a month. That comes out to the impressive, or pitiful, average of 500 text messages a day.
Thinking about Emily Jenning's texting abilities just makes our thumbs hurt. The Vancouver, British Columbia teen pumped out an absurd 41,600 text messages in the course of a single month -- we did some quick calculations and that works out to about one text every minute.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
njprncss4216 said 8:06AM on 5-05-2009
Well now that we know how limiting 160 characters is and we have the technology and bandwith to expand, EWXPAND! Go hog wild, give us 200 characters.
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Jim said 9:05AM on 5-05-2009
If it is over 160 characters, then it's not SMS by definition.
http://jamesmsingleton.com
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Mary said 10:29AM on 5-05-2009
Above, it asks: "Which do you prefer...Text messageing or phone"? I couldn't answer that one as there was no space that said: 'neither'.
My son and his girlfriend live in the back and have no phone, so they're ALWAYS using our portable phone. As both my husband and I have severe arthritis; it has become very difficult for us to walk...Yet, these callers expect us to run to the back with their messages all the time...or simply leave the phone with them. My son's girlfriend...and yes, my son too, LOVE to talk on the phone...so it rings off the hook. Sometimes, I wonder who's going to throw the phone out the door first...me... or my husband. We've both threatened to do so. Just for the record, hubby and I are in our 60s and rarely get phone calls.
As for text messaging, again, we're in our 60s and don't need that added expense.
What happened to the 'good old days' when you called someone, (including industry such as a store) and someone answered right away?...None of this 'please press such and such a number' or 'please return to the main menu'. Other than our computer, sometimes I HATE modern technology and when the 'puter acts up, sometimes I hate it too. Ce la vie.
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Steven Reeves said 2:16PM on 5-14-2009
Mary, I know this may sound odd but instead of getting mad at technology. maybe you should just tell your son and his girlfriend that it is time they move out on thier own and start their own life! they must be at the very least in thier 30's time to grow up and stop sponging off mom and dad!
PS. My mother is 72 and has arthritis extremely bad, she still manages to use the phone and the computer. No she does not text and she does not have her children still living with her.
-Steven
melinda said 10:02PM on 5-21-2009
Mary since obviously you have internet, I may have a solution to your problem. Go to Radio Shack or Walmart etc..and buy a MagicJack its about $30..hook it up to your computer and you will have another phone line for free ..even long distance. I think after a year you pay like $20 a year for it. That way even if the computer is at your house you can get them a cordless phone and keep the base at your house and give them the handset. You can even buy the handsets now with 2 bases so they can charge the handset without having to come in your house.
I got my stepdaughter one and it works fine, I just plugged it into the side of her computer. Another thing is if you didnt want anyone calling after a certain time at night just unplug the magicjack from your computer (assuming its inside your house and they dont have their own computer) when you go to bed and then plug it back up when you get up in the morning.
Just google magicjack. I wasn't sure I could type a website in the comment box...and no I promise I don't work for magicjack..ha
lynne1978 said 9:52PM on 5-25-2009
Mary,
To make life easier for you and your husband, I suggest purchasing a cheap, stationary land-line phone and putting it in your son's room. He and his girlfriend can use that one, while you and your husband get your portable phone back!
Take care.
Lynne
Pepe said 5:20PM on 5-05-2009
Too simple a question. I prefer text to telephone for the thousand and one to do's through out the day. Picking up milk and eggs doesn't require a phone call.
I much prefer it to eMail because while I avoid general spam pretty well, the hordes of friends and relatives who think they are funny and sent, resend and send again stale jokes I hated when they used to be faxed to me, can't be stopped. Perhaps one in fifty is actually funny. But how do you tell your sister to stop?
Phone calls are social or for the 10% of life that can't be categorized.
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