The short message service, or SMS, is deemed a relic from the past for some, but many still use it on a daily basis.

The short message service (SMS) was once the method of choice to communicate. Many used the service mainly because it was cheaper than phone calls and easy to use. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Indonesians relied on the technology to exchange messages — mostly short and to the point, unlike the more conversational nature of today’s messaging habits. 

The service rarely sees much use these days with the emergence of chat applications from WhatsApp to Line that allow people to send long texts, pictures, videos, stickers and many other things that an SMS message cannot. However, there are people who still rely on SMS messaging for various reasons. Most do because they lack access to modern gadgets or decent internet connection (SMS messaging relies on a cellular signal, not the internet).

Salsabila “Salsa” Setya, a 21-year-old from Bekasi, uses SMS messaging to connect with other people, but only when she is away from her house or in an urgent situation.

Loyal user: Salsabila Setya uses SMS quite regularly, depending on the situation at hand to communicate with her mother. (Courtesy of Salsabila Setya) (Personal Collection/Courtesy of Salsabila Setya)

"I only use SMS for urgent needs,” said Salsa, who admits that she does not often buy internet credit on her smartphone, limiting her connection to only cellular signals. "So, when I'm away, I usually use SMS or regular phone calls to contact people."

"I [mostly send SMS messages] to my mother," the fresh graduate said. "When I'm away, I will send her updates via an SMS."

More affordable

The cost of sending SMS messages varies from one provider to the other. Most people steer clear from using the service because it feels more expensive than chatting applications that run with internet plans.

However, for Meivitha Della Rompas, a 20-year-old business administration student at Sam Ratulangi University in Manado, North Sulawesi, SMS messaging is a feasible alternative.

"I have this relative [who lives in a region where the] internet connection is inadequate. So, when I want to share news or other important information with them, I have to use SMS for easier communication," Meivitha explained. "Usually, I can send up to eight SMS messages a day, including replies to the SMS messages sent by relatives"

Connect with friends: For Meivitha Della Rompas, SMS is relevant among some of her friends from the university. (Courtesy of Meivitha Della Rompas) (Personal Collection/Courtesy of Meivitha Della Rompas)

According to Meivitha, she and some of her friends at the university rely on the service whenever they run out of internet plans. 

Although she frequently uses the service, the university student refrains from using it too often to hold down expenses.

“From [mobile providers] Tri to Telkomsel, you will be charged around Rp300 [0.21 US cents] per SMS," she said. "The service cannot be used [on a more regular basis] because it certainly will cost more.

"[The more you reply], the more expensive it gets. If you only send an SMS message once, that is affordable, but then if you send it several times back and forth, it becomes expensive," added Meivitha.

More reliable

Rein (not his real name), a 29-year-old daily worker from East Likupang, North Sulawesi, thinks SMS messaging is necessary. 

He fully relies on the service to communicate with family and friends living on an island in the northernmost part of North Sulawesi, as the telecommunications infrastructure there is not as developed.

"On that island, you can't have a quality phone call [because of the signal quality]," he said. "SMS, on the other hand, is better for communicating because it doesn't require a decent signal like phone calls. One tap, and off you go."

In a remote area: Talisei is located in the northernmost part of North Sulawesi. The island is lacking proper supporting telecommunications infrastructure, internet, and a place where SMS is best used. (Courtesy of Ivana Wohos) (Personal Collection/Courtesy of Ivana Wohos)

Due to this limitation, Rein is quite the regular SMS user. He often purchases monthly SMS plans that he considers a cheaper option than sending SMS messages without a plan.

"SMS messages can get quite expensive, especially if the monthly plan runs out or you send an SMS when you’re not on a monthly plan," he said. However, Rein believes SMS messaging is the most economically sensible solution for him regardless, adding, "I use SMS for economic reasons. Internet plans are affordable, really, but they are useless whenever I pay a visit to my family on the island." 

"Whenever I want to send any updates from the island to outer regions, I can only use SMS. The same case applies whenever I want to get in touch with my family or friends on the island, I can only send them SMS," he said.

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