What is MMS – Multimedia Messaging Service?
The Multimedia Messaging Service or popularly called MMS is a capability that has been an extension of the SMS (Standard Messaging Service). It helps users send multimedia content over handheld devices using data over cellular networks. The most used feature of MMS is sending photographs, but it can also send slideshows and videos up to 40 seconds in length. The 3GPP and WAP groups fostered the development of the MMS standard, which is now continued by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA).
Network Compatibilities of Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
An MMS-capable phone first encodes multimedia content like that of MIME(Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions). MIME is an extension of the email format with added support for photos, videos, etc., in addition to the standard ASCII character sets. The encoded content is forwarded to the carrier’s MMS store and forward server called the MMSC(Multimedia Messaging Service Centre). From there in case of the same carrier, the receiver can retrieve the message. In the case of a different carrier, the MMSC of the other carrier used by the receiver receives the message. If the device is MMS-capable, the content is retrieved over an HTTP-enabled front-end and the URL of the said page is sent as an alert to the receiver.
Some carriers also undertake content adaptation which is trying to ensure compatibility of the deliverable according to the device of the receiver. The standard interface for viewing is the WAP browser. In case the device is not MMS capable, the standard browser can be used to retrieve and view the message, known as the legacy experience. Usually, email and web-based gateways to the MMS system are commonly executed using a specialemail address. The phone number, carrier-specific information, and a special domain name help to generate this address.
The maximum message size (along with the attachments) is generally limited to 300KB (MMS 1.2), but recently the MMS 1.3 standard has allowed for a maximum size of 600 KB. Wireless carriers however can impose their size restrictions. Whenever possible we will try and state the MMS version supported by the individual handsets in our database.
MMS vs RCS
With Google, telecom companies, and Android evolving, the landscape has drastically changed. RCS (Rich Communication Service) is likely the successor in exchange for content after MMS. OTT (Over-the-top) messaging service is rallying for direct content over the internet without the need for mediation by telecom service providers and RCS capitalizes and builds on the idea. With the evolution of the internet, data, WIFI, and particularly Android applications, MMS has taken a backseat unless in exceptional circumstances for a regular mobile user.
MMS vs SMS
The advantage of MMS over SMS is quite evident with richer and more versatile being deliverable. SMS also has a limitation of restricting to 160 characters which is much smaller than that of MMS in terms of data content. The MMS cost depends on the cellular provider but most of the companies will charge per MMS or by the size of the data in kilobytes.
Disadvantages of MMS
The common disadvantage in the exchange of MMS is in terms of compatibility issues. The sender in most cases does not know the compatibility and capability of the end-user’s device. Another major limitation that MMS faces is security. It is not end-to-end encryption and lacks the security and encryption standards that are prevalent in today’s market. MMS has played an important role in the evolution of cell phones. It ruled the way it worked for a major part of the decade before the advent of WIFI and the internet. Today, MMS finds its utility in circumstances where they consider it a good fallback option, in times where exchanging multimedia content has limited options.
