I just received a text message from Smart informing me that the telco will discontinue Multimedia Messaging Services or MMS by September 28, 2018.
Here’s the full message:
“A friendly reminder from SMART: Starting SEPT. 28, 2018, the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) will be permanently discontinued. Sending of photos, videos, and audio files through text will no longer be allowed. But don’t worry! You can still send and receive regular text messages, and use messaging apps like Viber or FB Messenger to send photos, videos & audio files. For inquiries, call *888 (toll-free) using a Smart mobile number or (02) 888-1111 via landline.”
MMS allows sending pictures, videos and recorded sound files along with a text message. However, the advent of email and chat apps and the high cost of sending MMS have made the service obsolete.
Some people still use MMS especially for work-related purposes but they are few and far between.
There are speculations though that the discontinuation of MMS is a sign that Smart is gearing up for officially supporting Rich Communication Services or RCS. It’s a new messaging protocol that works like a chat but right within the Android Messages app.
We’ll have to wait and see where Smart and other telcos are taking us in terms of new mobile communications technologies.
