| hilippines is known as the text capital of the world. | | | | True enough, a Filipino saves seven pesos if they |
| This is because the most number of messages | | | | use text messaging in this context rather than |
| being sent daily in mobile network servers are | | | | calling. This practice still remains even if networks |
| from the Philippines. | | | | have made moves to reduce their call charges. |
| The proliferation and widespread use of SMS | | | | Filipinos have found several uses of text |
| messaging in the Philippines began during the early | | | | messaging. They use this to make friends, just to |
| days of the cellular phone craze in the country. In | | | | have fun. It is not unusual for someone in the |
| the beginning, mobile networks do not make | | | | Philippines to receive a message from an |
| charges for sending SMS. People have taken | | | | unknown number seeking a textmate. A Filipino |
| advantage of the service and made use of text | | | | teenager may use a cellular phone to woo the girl |
| messaging to communicate effectively with | | | | that he likes if he does not have enough nerve to |
| friends, family and acquaintances. | | | | confess personally. Text messaging is also used |
| As time passed, mobile phones became more | | | | by a Filipino as a medium to share sensitive |
| affordable in the Philippines. It is a common sight in | | | | information without worrying about being heard |
| the Philippines that even people belonging to below | | | | by people he doesn’t want to know |
| middle class can still afford to buy and own one. | | | | about. |
| The existence of prepaid services also contributes | | | | Arranging and facilitating meet-ups between |
| to this, because people have an affordable | | | | people has also been made easier by SMS |
| alternative to the otherwise expensive postpaid | | | | messaging. For example, a person can cancel an |
| options. | | | | arranged meet up even if the other party is |
| However, why is it that people in the Philippines | | | | already on the way. This benefit is one of the |
| prefer to use SMS messaging rather than calls to | | | | best advantages of SMS messaging over the |
| communicate? | | | | traditional landline communication. |
| In the past, networks charge calls by the minute. | | | | Because of the widespread use of SMS |
| Even if you called for less than a minute say, 30 | | | | messaging, Philippine mobile networks have |
| seconds, you would still have to pay the charge | | | | introduced an unlimited messaging service. |
| that a full minute call would incur. This, however, | | | | Originally introduced by Sun Cellular, under these |
| has been amended in present days so that | | | | services a mobile user can send an unlimited |
| networks now charge by the second. | | | | number of messages within a timeframe by just |
| In the past, people have found out that if what | | | | registering using a certain amount. For example, |
| they could say in half a minute’s time can | | | | Smart charges 25 pesos for a person to register |
| be fit into one 160-character message – | | | | to its Unli25 unlimited messaging service. In |
| Filipinos are known for using abbreviated words in | | | | exchange a person can send as much messages |
| text messages— then they can save a | | | | as he wants until his hands tire, or his battery |
| significant amount if they use SMS messaging. | | | | dies. |