Vodafone Auctions Very First SMS-Text Ever Sent

Vodafone is auctioning off the world’s first SMS. 

The text message was transmitted through the Vodafone network on December 3, 1992 and received by Vodafone employee Richard Jarvis at a Christmas party. 

It’s 15 letter message: “Merry Christmas”.

The SMS is being auctioned as a Non-Fungible Token (“NFT”) in a unique sale organized by Aguttes Auction House in France.

The buyer, who will be able to pay with Ether cryptocurrency, gains exclusive ownership of a detailed and unique replica of the original communication protocol that transmitted the world’s first SMS. 

Vodafone Germany CEO Hannes Ametsreiter said the auction of the very first SMS brings together the pioneering spirit of two centuries. 

“We immortalize the world’s first SMS on the blockchain. And auction off its good news as NFT for a good cause because we believe that pioneers and technology can change the world. When they serve people and connect people.”

The transmission of the short text message nearly three decades ago, was a decisive moment in the history of mobile communications technology. 

In 1999, seven years after the first SMS was sent via Vodafone, it was finally possible to send text messages over multiple networks, accelerating their use and popularity. 

Today, greetings for Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid and many other holidays are sent by billions of people around the world in the form of texts, videos, audio messages and emojis. 

The auction will take place on 21 December and Vodafone will be donating the proceeds from the sale to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support forcibly displaced people. 

The SMS is estimated to sell for Euro €100,000 to €200,000 (R1.8 to R3.6 Million)