The ins and outs of the certified SMS: 7 questions and answers

The certified SMS is a short text message that works quickly and efficiently, so it is becoming more and more widely used among professionals and institutions. Because it has legal force, it is a perfect way to send important notifications.

But many people are still not fully familiar with it. So here we are going to explain it in a little more detail, by answering seven key questions:

1 How does it work?

The user configures the sender and the text to be sent and sends the message from their PC, by logging into the LINK Mobility platform’s extranet, or they do it automatically through LINK Mobility’ specific Web Service for Certified SMS. In both cases they can program the date and time on which it is sent.

The platform sends the messages to the operators, logs the date and time on which they are sent and receives delivery confirmations on the corresponding mobile terminals. All of this is logged on the system and delivered to the user with LINK Mobility Platform.

2 What is required for this service?

In terms of “infrastructure”, it is necessary to be an operator and have technology that allows you to send this type of text, with specific hardware and an organisation that certifies it. All of these are provided by LINK Mobility.

3 What applications does it have?

It is truly versatile, as it can be used for numerous types of notifications, whether in the realm of public authorities or private companies.

The applications are highly diverse: from notices of fines to confirmations of being registered and deregistered from certain services, notifications of customs seizures, the acceptance of quotes, the announcement of public sector jobs or any other notifications from legal proceedings, non-payments, evictions, tax notifications, confirmations of appointments with public authorities, etc.

4 Who certifies it?

LINK Mobility is the operator that processes everything that is sent and also the trusted third party responsible for certifying it (LINK Mobility is registered with the Telecommunications Market Commission and has direct links to all of the domestic operators and global coverage).

A time stamp is also provided, which in this case comes from the Camerfirma. This demonstrates that the data has not been altered at any point in the process. In other words, it certifies that such electronic data existed on a specific date at a given time.

5 What happens if you send the SMS to the wrong telephone number?

A report tells you whether the number is wrong and if the certified SMS has not been delivered. In such cases, it is necessary to look for the correct telephone number or use other methods such as Certified Email (LINK Mobility also provides this type of service). As a last resort, the customer will have to find other solutions.

6 How much does it cost?

A certified SMS never costs more than €1. It is more expensive than a normal SMS, as it involves more technology and hardware, but it is far cheaper than a bureaufax.

7 Is there a character limit?

The limit is the same as it is for conventional SMSs, i.e. 160 characters. When this is exceeded, it becomes a concatenated SMS. In this case, each part will have a maximum of 153 characters, up to a limit of six SMSs, which are displayed as a single SMS, but it is longer. Obviously, you pay for however many messages as you send.

Have you still not used this service? Well come on, wait no more!