The capability to transmit short digital communications through a wireless internet connection on a mobile operating system like Android represents a shift from traditional cellular network reliance. An example includes sending SMS or MMS messages through applications that leverage a Wi-Fi network instead of a cellular data plan.
This functionality provides significant advantages in areas with limited or absent cellular coverage, reducing costs associated with SMS messaging plans, and enabling communication on devices without cellular connectivity. Its emergence coincided with the increasing availability of Wi-Fi networks and the proliferation of smartphones, addressing the limitations of traditional SMS in terms of cost and coverage.