SMS and MMS are highly popular and effective forms of mobile messaging. Due to their popularity, they are frequently the first interaction consumers have with a company on their device. We're about to witness the end of SMS and MMS as we know them with the introduction of 10DLC starting today. This post outlines why this might be the case.
Image Source: Unsplash
SMS and MMS are widely used and highly effective methods of mobile communication. In fact, they are so widely used that it’s often the first interaction users have with a brand on their device. In this article, we’ll look at why 10DLC will be the beginning of the end for SMS and MMS as we know them. You might think that this is a bold claim but read on to find out why.
The first major sign that SMS and MMS are on the decline is that fewer people are using them. In the US, for example, the number of people sending a text message per day has dropped by 12.5% since 2016. That’s an astonishing decline. In the UK, the decline has been less drastic but still significant, with a decline of 15% between 2016 and 2018. These numbers are not just coming out of nowhere. Rather, they point to a trend that has been growing for some time. There are a number of reasons why SMS and MMS are dying. Firstly, there is the decline in SMS and MMS usage among younger generations. This decline is significant and points to a very real change in behavior and communication. This decline points to a shift in the way younger generations view SMS and MMS. Rather than being core methods of communication, they are now seen as supplementary.
We can say that 10DLC is the death knell for SMS and MMS because it acts as both a replacement and supplementary method of communication. As a replacement, 10DLC offers the benefits of SMS and MMS – such as being fast and cost-effective – but adds new features such as advanced analytics and automation. Moreover, 10DLC is not only sending text messages. You can also use 10DLC to send images, video, and audio. Indeed, with the rise of voice-activated devices, 10DLC will likely become even more important as a method of communication. And of course, 10DLC is also a supplementary method of communication. Rather than simply replacing SMS and MMS, it will be used alongside them.
As we’ve seen, 10DLC is not only sending text messages. In fact, text messages are only one of many ways that 10DLC can be used. Moreover, with the rise of voice-activated devices and AI, 10DLC will be used in new and different ways. Voice-activated devices, such as the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple's HomePod, are being used to interact with and control devices in our environment. These devices are also increasingly being used for communication.
Chatbots are already widely used in customer service. However, they are set to become much more than just a way of dealing with customer complaints. Indeed, chatbots will soon become the main method of communication. They may even be the main method of communication on your device. The rise of AI, such as Google Assistant, Apple’s Siri, and Amazon’s Alexa, will mean that these devices are more intelligent than ever before. They will be able to understand context, mood, and intent. They will be able to understand us better than ever before.
SMS and MMS are dying, and 10DLC will be the death knell for them. As we’ve seen, there are a number of reasons why SMS and MMS are dying. Moreover, 10DLC will be used in new and different ways that will make it the primary method of communication. If your brand is still using SMS or MMS, it’s time to start moving away from them. If you want to be engaging with your customers, you need to embrace 10DLC.
