The feature allowing emails to be delivered as SMS messages, particularly prevalent with a major telecommunications provider, enables notifications and other information to reach recipients even when data connectivity is limited. For instance, a user might receive a calendar reminder or a shipping update as a standard text message through this gateway.
This functionality offers immediacy, ensuring critical updates are promptly received, regardless of the user’s access to email applications or internet service. Its origins lie in bridging the gap between traditional email communication and the pervasive reach of mobile phone networks, particularly during periods when smartphone adoption was less widespread.