Are texts and data handled the same way?

Forums › 2degrees › Are texts and data handled the same way?

wallop

325 posts

Ultimate Geek

Topic # 85492 20-Jun-2011 16:33
Just wondering if text messages and data travel the same path within the system. Wondering if a email is more likely to get through than a text when the next earthquake hits. Thanks wallop

joeksemail

77 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

Reply # 483264 20-Jun-2011 16:42
I think SaltyNZ is the best one to answer this. The simple answer however is data is connected in "sessions" you may have an active data session open which may maintain at a slow speed during high network usage or it may disconnect. SMS is just small packets of data which are pushed from the handset to SMSC (SMS Centre) and back the other way. When there is an event like EQNZ there is so much traffic going through SMSC's that it creates a backlog which the SMSC then has to work its way through. This can also cause delivery flag issues also and users may receive the message more than once. Long story short, during events when there is a high load on the network nothing is guaranteed. You also have to think about if the receiver of the email has internet (if out of ChCh then probably yes). But as I said, Salty should be able to give a better breakdown for 2D however. Edited

Toiletduck

116 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 483274 20-Jun-2011 17:03
Texts and data are handled entirely differently Email is more likely to get through faster - however the recipient is more likely to have a cellphone in their pocket than to be sitting infront of a computer.

wallop

325 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 483280 20-Jun-2011 17:10
Thanks for the replies. Just looking at it for a alternative for the wife and I. Both phones can do email, just need to set them up for it. wallop

SaltyNZ

2097 posts

Uber Geek

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Subscriber

Reply # 483304 20-Jun-2011 17:45
Be aware that in the event of something like an earthquake, voice traffic has higher priority than data, so your email might not send that quickly. You might get booted off the data network altogether. iPad + iPhone 4S + 2degrees 3G data 4tw! These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

nakedmolerat

2207 posts

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Reply # 483317 20-Jun-2011 18:10
Toiletduck: Texts and data are handled entirely differently Email is more likely to get through faster - however the recipient is more likely to have a cellphone in their pocket than to be sitting infront of a computer. with smartphone, push email etc, you will receive email just like how you receive a text msg

johnr

13314 posts

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Vodafone NZ

Subscriber

Reply # 483333 20-Jun-2011 18:40
Chalk and cheese Systems Engineer Vodafone NZ http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

SaltyNZ

2097 posts

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Reply # 483526 21-Jun-2011 10:18
Right, sorry I didn't give a more detailed reply last night. Firstly: no, SMS and emails are not handled the same way. SMS is a circuit-switched domain service, whereas email is packet switched. Apart from the base station itself they're handled by different sets of elements in the 2G & 3G networks [it starts to change when you deploy LTE]. An SMS uses some radio and core network signaling, roughly the same on the radio side as a voice call setup. But once it's sent, the signaling channel can be relinquished and used for something else. As I said last night, circuit switched services have priority over packet services in the event of a major overload. That means voice and to a lesser extent SMS will in theory receive better service than data, which could be almost completely choked off if a site is saturated by voice calls. Ultimately 2degrees does recommend texting as the lightest touch on the network. But, and this is my personal opinion, not 2degrees, if you REALLY need to know that someone has heard you, CALL THEM. Keep it short. Don't hang around to chat about the weather and complain about the high price of potatoes. But call them. If it was my family, I would. iPad + iPhone 4S + 2degrees 3G data 4tw! These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

joeksemail

77 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

Reply # 483529 21-Jun-2011 10:25
SaltyNZ: Right, sorry I didn't give a more detailed reply last night. Firstly: no, SMS and emails are not handled the same way. SMS is a circuit-switched domain service, whereas email is packet switched. Apart from the base station itself they're handled by different sets of elements in the 2G & 3G networks [it starts to change when you deploy LTE]. An SMS uses some radio and core network signaling, roughly the same on the radio side as a voice call setup. But once it's sent, the signaling channel can be relinquished and used for something else. As I said last night, circuit switched services have priority over packet services in the event of a major overload. That means voice and to a lesser extent SMS will in theory receive better service than data, which could be almost completely choked off if a site is saturated by voice calls. Ultimately 2degrees does recommend texting as the lightest touch on the network. But, and this is my personal opinion, not 2degrees, if you REALLY need to know that someone has heard you, CALL THEM. Keep it short. Don't hang around to chat about the weather and complain about the high price of potatoes. But call them. If it was my family, I would. And that ladies and gentlemen is why SaltyNZ was the best person to answer the question...

wallop

325 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 483634 21-Jun-2011 13:33
Thanks for all the replies. Calling is the first option I try but usually can't get through due to overloading. Texts seem to leave the phone but can take a while to arrive at the other end. By the looks of it email may be the same or worse. I'm sure it's time for the big earthquakes to stop so hopefully all of this is moot. wallop