Voice message: how does it work?

By launching an SMS campaign from your computer or mobile phone, you can convert text into audio. The text is entered on a computer or other digital device and sent as a voice message.

You don't need to record it yourself because the voice is computer-generated. Quality can vary, with some voices sounding more human than others. There are even options that simulate the voice of a child, a man, or a woman.

Why send voice messages via SMS?

iPhone users often send audio recordings via SMS, and for good reason. A voice message is the ideal option in certain situations, especially when you need a middle ground between a text message and a phone call.

A text message might not convey the true meaning of your message. Conversely, a voice message allows you to send up to 30 seconds of audio. Furthermore, the recipient does not need a social media account or internet access.

For individuals, the iPhone has made this quite simple through the ability to send audio files. However, on Android, you would need to install a third-party application like Google Hangouts.

But how do you send the same voice message to multiple recipients at once?

Voice message: how can businesses use it?

Voice messaging allows you to send important information via text-to-speech to both mobile phones and landlines.

Voice messaging services like Octopush can convert SMS into short calls that reach recipients quickly and reliably.

Although there are several ways to use voice messages, in France, this type of messaging is restricted to four areas of application, which we have listed below.

Messages related to account activation and authentication

You can send important messages such as access codes, OTPs (one-time passwords), mTANs, etc.

An mTAN (mobile transaction authentication number) is used to confirm banking transactions. It is sent via SMS and serves as an additional security layer to authorize a transaction. Once the voice message is received, it can be replayed.

The voice OTP service is a sequence of characters or numbers sent via phone call to verify a transaction or account login. Voice message authentication is even more secure than SMS, as it is virtually impossible to intercept a voice message via an external system.

Alert voice message

These are urgent messages that recipients must not miss under any circumstances. Alerts can warn of extreme weather conditions or natural disasters. This also includes road closures, missing persons, or evacuations—in short, anything that could threaten the safety or lives of the recipients.

In France, the system used for opt-in alerts can vary from one region to another. However, the reasons for these warnings are quite similar.

For example, in an alert zone where technicians need to be reliably and quickly informed of malfunctions or critical situations, it is very important to provide them with channels that allow them to communicate at all times, so that they are able to be efficient and find solutions to any problem.

Messages for people with visual impairments

This is a situation to consider, as the system calls the recipient and reads the message to them. For example, in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical centers where emails are not an ideal solution, patients may have difficulty reading appointment reminders and notifications received via SMS. They have less difficulty responding to a phone call.

Voice messages are an excellent communication method because they are direct, the recipient can respond instantly, and older or visually impaired patients are more easily able to receive information that concerns them.

Messages to landlines

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone owns a mobile phone. According to a 2019 ARCEP report , 77% of French people own a smartphone. The remaining 23% of the population still uses a landline.

Even though many modern landlines are wireless, the base stations they connect to still rely on a wired connection.

Organizations and businesses consider the landline a preferred communication channel for many reasons. Call quality is better, and they work even when the internet connection is down, as well as during power outages.

These are crucial factors to consider, especially if you want to send a short message to a landline.