FAQ (Fequently Asked Questions)

Q: What are credit points?

A: AIL-SMS uses a system of credit points system. You purchase credit points from AIL SMS using credit card via secure online ANZ eGate system and your account is debited at the applicable rate each time you use an AIL SMS service. This system allows us to provide discounts when you buy large amount of credit points.

Q: What are bonus credit points?

A: If you buy a large amount of credits, you will get cheaper rates per credit, refer rate card.

Q: How much does it cost to use AIL SMS Text service?

A: Rate Card AIL-SMS text messages are shown in the AIL SMS Web Page. Cost per SMS text message is low as 10cents; refer AIL SMS rate card.

Q: What account fees are charged for account holders?

A: There are no accounts set up fees.

Q: Can I get my transaction history for a selected period?

A: Yes, a record of all of your transactions appears in your personal account log.

Q: Do my AIL SMS credit points expire?

A: No, the credits do not expire.

Q: How do I purchase AIL SMS credit points?

A: Once you have registered in AIL SMS services, you can purchase your credit points through AIL SMS secure online system by providing your credit card details.

Q: Can I send SMS messages to mobile phones overseas?

A: Yes, AIL SMS supports most of the major telecommunications networks around the world. A full list of coverage countries and respective costs are included in AIL SMS Web site.

Q: How long does it take for an SMS message to reach the destination?

A: SMS text messages can be delivered as quick as one second. However, this may vary due to various factors such as network congestion, signal strengths, etc. 

Q: Can I tell if an SMS I sent was received?

A: After sending your sms message, there will be a link to check the delivery status of the message. This depends on which telecommunications network was used to deliver the service, as some networks do not provide this feature.

Q: What is SMS?

A: SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is a technology that enables the sending and receiving of messages between mobile phones. SMS first appeared in Europe in 1992. It was included in the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standards right at the beginning. Later it was ported to wireless technologies like CDMA and TDMA. The GSM and SMS standards were originally developed by ETSI. ETSI is the abbreviation for European Telecommunications Standards Institute. Now the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) is responsible for the development and maintenance of the GSM and SMS standards.

One major advantage of SMS is that it is supported by 100% GSM mobile phones. Almost all subscription plans provided by wireless carriers include inexpensive SMS messaging service. Unlike SMS, mobile technologies such as WAP and mobile Java are not supported on many old mobile phone models.

Q: What Makes SMS Messaging So Successful Worldwide?

A: SMS is a success all over the world. The number of SMS messages exchanged every day is enormous. SMS messaging is now one of the most important revenue sources of wireless carriers. What is so special about SMS that makes it so popular worldwide? Some of the reasons are:

SMS Messages can be Sent and Read at Any Time

Nowadays, almost every person has a mobile phone and carries it most of the time. With a mobile phone, you can send and read SMS messages at any time, no matter you are in your office, on a bus or at home.

SMS Messages can be Sent to an Offline Mobile Phone

Unlike a phone call, you can send an SMS message to your friend even when he/she has not switched on the mobile phone or when he/she is in a place where the wireless signal is temporarily unavailable. The SMS system of the mobile network operator will store the SMS message and later send it to your friend when his/her mobile phone is online.

SMS Messaging is Less Disturbing While You can Still Stay in Touch

Unlike a phone call, you do not need to read or reply an SMS message immediately. Besides, writing and reading SMS messages do not make any noise. While you have to run out of a theater or library to answer a phone call, you do not need to do so if SMS messaging is used.

SMS Messages are Supported by 100% GSM Mobile Phones and They can be Exchanged between Different Wireless Carriers

SMS messaging is a very mature technology. All GSM mobile phones support it. Not only that you can exchange SMS messages with mobile users of the same wireless carrier, but you can also exchange SMS messages with mobile users of many other wireless carriers worldwide.

SMS is a Suitable Technology for Wireless Applications to Build on

Here are some of the reasons that make SMS a suitable technology for wireless applications to build on:

• Firstly, SMS messaging is supported by 100% GSM mobile phones. Building wireless applications on top of the SMS technology can maximize the potential user base.

• Secondly, SMS messages are capable of carrying binary data besides text. They can be used to transfer ringtones, pictures, operator logos, wallpapers, animations, VCards, VCals (calendar entries), etc.

• Thirdly, SMS supports reverse billing, which enables payment to be made conveniently. For example, suppose you want to develop a commercial ringtone download application that charges a fee from the user for each ringtone downloaded. One way to accept payment is to use a reverse billing phone number obtained from a wireless carrier. To buy a ringtone, the user will write an ordinary SMS text message that contains the ID of the ringtone he/she wants to buy and send it to your SMS application's reverse billing phone number. Your SMS application will then send back one or more reverse billing SMS messages that carry the ringtone. The user will be charged a fee for the reverse billing SMS messages he/she received. The fee will be included in the user's monthly mobile phone bill or be deducted from his/her prepaid card credits. Depending on the agreement between you and the wireless carrier, all or part of the money received will be given to you.