(a)Numberic paging can be done with the telephone set keypad by simply
punching in the numbers from the phone keypad. How about the newer
alphanumeric paging or the short text message service, can the
telephone set's keypad be used to send out text messages also? The
keypad does have alphabet keys, like abc sharing the key with number
2.

(b)Please advice on the 'rules'to send a short text message. Where can
I find the industry standard for alphanumeric paging or short text
service? In other words, how do I send out a text with the modem's AT
command set? Are there special rules? My current program can do the
numberic paging. Need to extend it to alphanumeric paging.

Thank you.

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Clarification of Question by ga1000-ga on 13 Jul 2003 19:19 PDT

In my mobile phone, I could enter into the text mode, then punch the
'abc' key twice to obtain 'b'.

What I am looking for is the industry 'white paper' governing the
alphanumeric text message sending. What is the protocol to change from
the keypad numeric mode into the text mode.

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Clarification of Question by ga1000-ga on 18 Jul 2003 08:27 PDT

Thank you very much. Your comment answered the question.

Hi ga1000-ga,

The wireless world is a funny one and varies significantly between
countries, devices, carriers, etc. I've supplied an example which
might work if you'r using a GSM phone like a Nokia...

If what I've supplied doesn't work because of handset compatibility
(or you need more information) refer to the ETSI Spec found at
http://webapp.etsi.org/key/key.asp?GSMSpecPart1=27&GSMSpecPart2=005

Anyway, The solution for you is as follows:

1. First you need to set the phone to text mode (the answer to your
question - this should be standard across most phones):
Send: AT+CMGF=1 
Response: OK 


If you're using a Nokia for example you can then send an SMS by:

2. Initiate an SMS (put the phone number in international format and
you'll get a prompt back):
Send: AT+CMGS="+123456789"
Response: > // a prompt 

3. Then send the message body (when you're done - terminate by hitting
Ctrl-Z
Send: Hello world {CTRL+Z}
Answer: +CMGS: xxx

where xxx is a number if it sent

The web page information is very usefuel.

Thanks again.

Your comment is the exact answer I am looking for.

Thank you very much.