SMS service from your GSM mobile phone

The exchange of SMS (Short Message Service) messages is a very popular application of GSM mobile services. However, the use of the application with a CERN subscription is subject to certain conditions:

First of all, only text messages can be sent and received with a CERN GSM subscription. These messages are limited to 160 characters. MMS (Multimedia Message Service) messages, which consist in attaching pictures, videos or sounds to a message, are not supported by the current CERN mobile network configuration. In addition, value-added SMS or SMS premium messages (e.g. messages to short numbers involving extra charges) are not permitted.

Before sending a message, you must first record the number of the message centre (+41765980000) in your mobile. In principle, this configuration setting is automatically applied to all standard GSM mobile phones when they are issued.

To send a message to another GSM user, you must of course enter his or her GSM number. This number must be entered in full: 076 487xxxx or +41 76 487xxxx. Please note that messages cannot be delivered if the number is entered in its short format (16xxxx) as this feature is not available. In addition, there is no point in sending SMS messages to CERN fixed telephones as they can neither send nor receive them.

Regarding billing, the CERN monthly subscription includes the exchange of an unlimited number of SMS messages between CERN mobile phones on the Sunrise network. However, when roaming on foreign networks, all outgoing messages are charged at 0.47 CHF (incoming messages are not charged). It is possible to send a text message to a non-CERN mobile but this is not included in the monthly subscription.

Please note that all messages sent to a wrong or unknown mobile number are also charged. For example, it is not uncommon for an unlocked mobile in a pocket to send several messages to number "1". Unfortunately, these messages are charged.

Finally, CERN mobile users also have the possibility of sending text messages to CERN mobile phones directly from the e-mail application. Just enter +417648xxxx@mail2sms.cern.ch in the addressee field of the e-mail, but don’t forget that the total size of the message must not exceed 160 characters (including your e-mail address), otherwise it will be truncated. A simplified web page is also available for sending SMS messages to CERN mobiles.

All information in this article is available on http://cern.ch/sms. Please refer to the web site if you require any further information regarding mobile phone services at CERN.

Telecom Lab
CS section
CS Group, IT Department


by IT Department