Problem Solving

Thanks for rainsing this issue. I will discuss with the team and see how we can increase characters from 140 to double.

Hi - the limit is set to 140 char. to accomodate problem solving by SMS - this feature is coming very soon for those who can't easily access the web - note that the follow up conversation can be at greater length (as per this answer!). While the problem solving module uses this short micro-blog format it is also possible to use the forum feature, available within groups, for longer form discussions. I hope this answer helps. BR. 

Thank you - yes you are correct that SMS has a 160 character limit; we implemented the more conservative 140 micro-blog limit in line with Twitter policy, to allow for potential Twitter integration. Now Twitter is looking at relaxing the limit we can certainly look at doing the same. We'll get back to you with further updates.

Though I wonder which unicode languages are out there - it depends on the language you are sending in. SMS text messages are limited to either 70 or 160 characters in length. This is because a standard SMS message can contain a maximum of 1120 bits. Latin-based languages such as English, French, and Spanish use GSM encoding, which equates to 7 bits per character; limiting 1 SMS to at most 160 characters. Languages that use Unicode Transformation Format (UTF) encoding such as Chinese, Arabic, or like our Amharic(Ethiopian) [አማርኛ ] uses 16 bits per character; limiting 1 SMS to a maximum of 70 characters.

It is possible that messages containing more than the allowed characters are automatically split and concatenated on the receivers end. Unless it is costly (if the system is using telecom modems to send out SMS), the admin can concatnate longer messages. It better to use outsourced SMS gateway at cheaper  price & integrate with the system. Just send out 2 messages & almmost all end user devices are capable of concatnating the two. No worries. Enjoy. 

Opps...my pc must turned to a server!

I didn't realized that my pc is up & running for almost a week.

I have seen this thread couple of days ago. I was a bit busy & left the page without reply. Now I come back to submit the previous comment. By the time I post it, I see the Admin reply.

I just left the former comment in case it help for others. 

Thanks Ado! - very helpful contribution! I agree that overlong messages will get concatenated. We are using (or about to start using) an outsourced SMS gateway - and do need to conserve SMS costs - so likely the character limit will remain for now, until there is a good understanding of volumes and costs - but we'll keep under review.