About SMS Text Messaging
Q What is SMS text messaging?
A A text message via SMS (Short Message Service) is a single short message that is displayed as text on the screen of the recipient's mobile telephone. Messages travel above the phone's radio channel on the signaling path. An SMS text message can be up to 140 characters in length.
Q Is text messaging a fast way to communicate?
A Many outgoing text messages can be sent rapidly, unlike direct telephone dialing. Thousands of people can receive your text message in minutes. Text messages can even be received while the phone is in use, so there are rarely busy signals.
Q How fast is broadcast text messaging?
A Typically when dialing a voice message, it takes 3-5 minutes to dial and leave a voice message. In comparison, a text message is delivered in about 20 milliseconds. It is an extremely fast and efficient way to send out many messages in a short amount of time, since many outgoing messages can be sent at once.
Q Who can receive text messages?
A Any mobile phone user with text messaging enabled can receive text messages. Text messaging is free with some mobile telephone providers, and fee-based on others.
Q How common is mobile phone use today?
A As of June, 2004, Jupiter Research counts PDAs in the U.S. at 14 million, versus approximately 160 million wireless phones, according to Enpocket. That means 53 percent of the country's adult population is carrying one of these devices. It's estimated that 61% of Americans use cellular phones, with the highest group of users being adults between 35 and 49 years old (71%).
About AlertMyFamily
Q What is AlertMyFamily?
A AlertMyFamily is an emergency broadcast system for family and friends. It utilizes SMS text messaging available to most people via mobile phone. It's an extremely fast, efficient, and inexpensive way to reach family and friends in an emergency. There is a minimal annual fee.
Q Why is AlertMyFamily so important?
A When you least expect it, situations arise that require reliable, quick, coordinated communication among family and friends. AlertMyFamily can
Q Is AlertMyFamily a proven service?
A AlertMyFamily's message center successfully delivers messages for clients worldwide every day. Be confident that AlertMyFamily will work when you need it. It is built on a robust, reliable network using redundant and geographically distributed servers.
Q Can messages be received by email?
A Yes! AlertMyFamily broadcasts all emergency messages to family and friends' email addresses as well as mobile phones.
Q Is AlertMyFamily difficult to use?
A If you're familiar with basic web browsing, you can use AlertMyFamily. And your cell phone is probably already text-messaging enabled!
Q Will I receive unwanted messages on my mobile phone or email?
A No! Contact information is for the use of AlertMyFamily emergency text alerts only. AlertMyFamily will not distribute or share personal information with any 3rd party.
How AlertMyFamily Works
Q Is AlertMyFamily easy to set up and maintain?
A Since AlertMyFamily is a web-based solution, there's no hardware to install, no software to upgrade, no additional phone lines to purchase, ever! And there is minimal setup required. An online account is created for you with secure access by designated family/friends. Enter as many contact numbers as you like, and even enter pre-determined messages to save time in an emergency.
Q How does an emergency message get sent?
A An emergency message can be initiated from the web or any mobile device. The system requires the sender to enter a password to initiate a notification sequence. The subscriber or designated family member/friend enters a text message on the AlertMyFamily web site … or selects a pre-stored message from the web site or mobile phone. Upon submission, the message will be broadcast to all family and friends listed in the account. In minutes, your entire AlertMyFamily contact list will receive your message through any worldwide text messaging devices - as well as email - simultaneously.
Q Does the outgoing message tie up telephone lines or Internet access?
A No! If the outgoing message is sent via mobile phone, phone lines are unaffected. And if the outgoing message is sent via the Internet, the Internet connection is not kept busy by the process. The message broadcasting takes place at a central location away from your computer. The speed of the Internet connection is not important as each text message is about 2 lines of text, typically a couple of seconds.
Q Can the message be sent from outside of the home?
A Absolutely! You can access AlertMyFamily.com from anywhere with Internet access and a proper User ID and password. You can also send predefined messages from your mobile phone, anywhere, anytime!
Q Can I send non-emergency messages to family and friends via text messaging?
A Yes! AlertMyFamily.com can be used up to 5 times per year (or 20 with AlertMyFamily Plus). Whether your message is of an emergency nature or not, you can broadcast your messages quickly and easily. Alert family and friends of a birth, surprise party, or the starting time of the school play!
Q What setup is required?
A Subscribers access a secure account at AlertMyFamily.com to input their family and friends' mobile phone numbers and email addresses. They will receive an email that sends a test message to their mobile phone to ensure registration was successful.
Q How do subscribers maintain current mobile phone numbers in the system?
A Subscribers can login as often as necessary to update mobile telephone numbers and email addresses. It is important that you have the best mobile number to reach your friends and family in the event of an emergency.
Q How can subscribers add additional numbers to the system?
A Subscribers can list up to 20 mobile phone numbers with AlertMyFamily.com for emergency contact. A subscriber can upgrade at any time to AlertMyFamily Plus to include up to 50 contacts.
Q How do family and friends receive my messages?
A When you broadcast a text message, all registered mobile numbers will receive the message. An email message will also be sent to all registered email addresses. Busy signals are rare, and text messages can be received even if the phone is in use. If a family member or friend receives a text message from you, he/she simply reads the message on the mobile phone screen according to the phone's instructions.
Q How do I send a broadcast message from my cell phone if I have no internet connection?
A If you must broadcast an emergency message and internet access is unavailable, you can use your cellular phone to submit a pre-defined message. Predefined messages have a Fast Code that you use to designate a message along with an id number and PIN. Your user id and PIN are located in the Pre-Defined Messages section of your online account. Detailed instructions are also available in that section of your account.
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