You can always try a free, alternative SMS app from the market and see if it remains the same.

I reccommend Go SMS, or Handsent. Both excellent and better than the inbuilt SMS app. If you try this, dont forget to disable SMS notifications (in your original SMS app settings) or you'll receive double alerts.

If this still doesn't work for you, contact your network supplier and explain.

 

It seems this is a known issue with 2.3.3. From a quick Google it seems common on the incredible s, but also on the desire s.

I've been in touch with t-mobile today and will feed back anything I find out. Hopefully it will be fixed in 2.3.4, but if that's a while off I'll be looking for an alternative handset - I think I have a 14 day period to change my mind.

 

sounds like you are running 1.47 software

 

Does definitely sound like the issue with HTC Software version 1.47 (go to Settings > About Phone > Software Information > Software Version

This software has caused issues with delayed SMS messages coming through and dropped signals causing missed calls. There is currently no official fix, but if you read the following thread there are a few options. In the short term, you can change your signal to GSM only - but it does mean you will only get slow speed mobile internet.

http://androidforums.com/htc-desire-s/396171-signal-drops-completely-htc-desire-s.html

Hope that helps