Unlike E-Mail and landline phones, unsolicited calls and messages on mobiles and in regular mail are not illegal. Perhaps because both USPS and AT&T make a decent amount of cash off this.
$500 per message fine. I think the issue is enforcement
WhatsApp and other messaging apps have practically killed sms for personal one on one communications. The only thing still prepping up SMS is the bulk messaging such as notifications and marketing.
“practically killed”? No one I know uses WhatsApp; they all text
Depends on where. Europe, Asia, Latin America. SMS is dead. Messaging apps rule. Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, Line, WeChat, depending on region.
SMS is still used a lot down under. For most its included in the plan and super convenient. If someone has called you you can send an SMS to their number. WhatsApp requires some party pre-coordination, so is more of a long distance friends and family thing.