Short Message Service (SMS) allows mobile devices to exchange short text messages and was first used in 1992; it works by sending text messages through a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) which delivers the message to the intended recipient's mobile device using cellular network protocols. SMS is widely used for communication, advertising, and value added services but many have switched to messaging apps for lower costs as SMS usage in India has declined significantly since 2013 with the rise of internet-based messaging platforms.