Understanding SMS and Mobile networks (2-5G) differences, to choose the right SMS sender IC

Hardware
1

Hello everyone!

My goal is to develop a SMS sender. But I don't know which IC I should buy to be able to send SMS over 2-3G (large coverage in France) and over 4-5G (since 2-3G will be disabled, it is already the case in Switzerland for example, where I want to use my SMS sender as well). After some research and chatGPT, I am still confused, and don't clearly undestand network basics.

According to chatGPT, sms can be sent over 2-3-4-5G (using same antennas for SMS and Data, same frequencies, but different communication protocol). A few web pages say something different. Typically ARCEP show network coverage in France, and I understand that SMS can only be sent over 2-3G. Please, can you confirm?

Physically, since each network generation don't use the same frequencies, I need to buy the proper GSM dev board supporting 2G->5G frequencies. It seems that there isn't any IC allowing that. But how do our phones manage to send SMS over any network? or they don't?

For your additionnal curiosity, here are my criteria for my project: Be able to send SMS...

  • from anywhere (not only in towns but also in remote areas where there is no 4-5G, only 2-3G)
  • during the next 5 years, even after 2-3G shutdown
  • low cost (i see dev boards at 100$, others at 1$...)
  • low power consumption for autonomy

Thank you very much for your help understanding network basics and maybe dev board election!

Have a good day!

2

no that's incorrect.
SMS can be sent over various mobile networks generations, including 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G.

if you get a SIM7600CE for example, you'll get multi-band support and can use 4G/3G/2G communication based on what's available where you are.

I don't expect 4G to be extinct in the next 5 years, so you could be fine with such a module

3

Great! Thank you for your response!

Please, looking for a board, I found out this one for example SIM7000G
It belongs to LPWA technology, which dedicated for IoT. Whats the difference between LPWA and 4G ? (if i am not wrong, same bandwidths. Not same protocol?)

Simcom website shows carriers compatibility (look at product details, last row). Is it relevant? I mean that bandwidth compatibility is the only point to take of, isn't?

Besides, do you have any feedback experience on the additionnal antennas delivered with the board?

Thanks for any further help!

Have a good day

4

I don't have an experience with that specific module.
Just saying that if you get a 4G enabled module chances are that it also supports 2G, 2.5G and 3G too

5

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