Short Message Service (SMS)
- What is SMS?
SMS stands for Short Message Service. This service allows us to send short text messages from one mobile phone to another. Its acronym has been commonly used to represent the text message itself.
- Who can I send an SMS to?
You can send an SMS to anyone with an activated mobile phone line, locally and/or overseas. To send an SMS to an overseas mobile number, please refer to the list of the destinations/operators to check if the overseas mobile number is a registered number of the network operators listed. Only these listed network operators will be able to receive an SMS sent from StarHub Mobile.
- Will my friend know the SMS is from me if I send it to him/her?
If your mobile phone number has been stored in your friend's mobile phonebook or SIM Card, your name will be reflected as the Sender. If your details are not stored in your friend's mobile phonebook or SIM Card, only your mobile number will be shown.
- How do I send an SMS?
From the menu, select "Write new message". Compose your message using your mobile phone keypad. For more instructions on composing a short message, please refer to your phone's manual guide. When you have finished composing your message, press "OK" and enter the intended recipient's mobile phone number. Press "Send" and you will see a flash that says "Message Sent".
- How do I reply to an SMS?
First, go to the options menu and select "Reply". Once that is done, compose your desired message and select "Send" from the options menu.
- What is the maximum length of an SMS be?
An SMS can contain up to 160 characters (inclusive of spacing). Should your message exceed the maximum number of characters allowed in a single message, simply start another new message and key in the rest of your message and send it again.
- If SMS has a limitation of only 160 characters, why is it that I can type longer than 160 characters and send it out?
Some mobile phones makes/models, especially the newer mobile phone models, allow you to type in more than 160 characters within the same message. Although you have clicked "Send" only once, but charges will be based on the number of SMS (160 characters per SMS) you have sent in total. .
- How much do I pay for sending SMS?
If you send an SMS to a local mobile subscriber, it is deductible from the free SMS bundle that comes with your mobile subscription plan, if any. Otherwise, the charge is 5.35 cents (incl. 7% GST) per SMS.
If you send an SMS to an overseas mobile subscriber, the charge is 15 cents per SMS (Global SMS) and this is not deductible from your free SMS bundle.
If you send an SMS to a group of mobile subscribers (up to 60 per group), you pay the rate of one SMS multiplied by the number of people in the group (Group SMS).
For example, if you send to 30 mobile subscribers in the group, you will pay 5.35 cents X 30 = $1.605 (incl. 7% GST).
If one of the mobile numbers is an overseas number, then the SMS to this number will be charged based on the Global SMS rate.
- Why am I unable to send short messages?
Most mobile phones can send and receive short messages. However, older phone models may not support SMS Receive and Send. Check the user guide of your mobile phone to see if it supports SMS functionality (GSM Phase 2).
Ensure that you have the right SMS Centre Number. Your StarHub SIM Card has been pre-programmed with the SMS Centre Number. However, should you need to re-enter the SMS Centre Number, simply follow these steps:
- Step 1: Select 'Mail', 'Messages' or 'SMS' menu on your mobile phone
- Step 2: Select 'Message Settings' followed by 'Message/Service Centre'
- Step 3: Enter +65 9854 0020 (SMS Centre Number)
- I have 'Message Failed' or 'Message cannot be sent' displayed on my phone. Why is this so?
If your mobile phone menu displays 'Message Failed' or 'Message cannot be sent', please check that you are within the StarHub Mobile network coverage area.
If you are sending messages to non-StarHub Mobile users and these messages are undelivered even though it shows 'Message Sent', it could be that the other operator's network is facing some technical problems.
- Can I send short messages to an overseas number?
Currently, you can send short messages to customers within the local operators' mobile network coverage areas (i.e. StarHub, M1 and SingTel Mobile). Sending of short messages to customers of foreign networks is only possible if this is supported by the overseas networks. Otherwise, your message may not be delivered even though you see 'Message Sent' on your mobile phone display, but prevailing rate still apply
- How do I send a Chinese SMS message?
To send a Chinese SMS message, change your mobile phone settings to the Chinese Language mode. Both the sender and the recipient must own Chinese input-enabled mobile phone to send and receive Chinese SMS messages.
- Can I send an SMS to a pager?
No, you are unable to send short messages to any pagers.
- Will my friend get my message if I send him one while he is roaming?
If the intended recipient roams out of Singapore, your short message can only reach them if their respective operator has roaming agreements with the foreign operator which they are roaming with.
- Why can't I receive any SMS?
There are several possible reasons for this. Please refer to the following troubleshooting steps:
- Your SMS inbox could be full. Most mobile phones will display a flashing envelope icon on the home screen to indicate that the inbox is full. You will be able to receive SMS when you delete the old SMS from your inbox.
- Ensure that you are within StarHub Mobile network coverage area. If you are expecting a message from a local non-StarHub Mobile user and did not receive the message, it could be that the other operator's network is facing some technical problems.
- If you are roaming out of Singapore, you can still receive SMS from StarHub and non-StarHub Mobile users if the overseas network that you are connected to supports the SMS function.
