SMS gateways
Encyclopedia
An SMS gateway is a telecommunications network facility for sending or receiving Short Message Service
( SMS) transmissions to or from a telecommunications network that supports SMS. Most messages are eventually routed into the mobile phone
networks. Many SMS gateways support media conversion from email
and other formats.
Another type of SMS gateway provider is based on SS7 connectivity to route SMS messages, also known as "international termination model". The advantage of this model is the ability to route data directly through SS7, which gives the provider total control and visibility of the complete path during the SMS routing. This means SMS messages can be sent directly to and from recipients without having to go through the SMS-C of other mobile operators. Therefore, it's possible to avoid delays and message losses, offering full delivery guarantees of messages and optimized routing.
Several operators have true fixed-wire SMS services. These are based on extensions to the ETSI
GSM
SMS standards and allow fixed-fixed, fixed-mobile and mobile-fixed messaging. These use Frequency-shift keying
to transfer the message between the terminal and the SMS-C. Terminals are usually DECT
-based, but wired handsets and wired text-only (no voice) devices exist. Messages are received by the terminal recognising that the CLI is that of the SMS-C and going off-hook silently to receive the message.
Regulation: SMS Gateway equipment is regulated via the Mobile Telegraphy Act in the UK and can be used legally by and company to send sms to their own customers or prospects.
gateway is a device which allows SMS text messages to be sent and received by email, from web pages or from other software applications. The gateway connects directly to a mobile operator's SMSC via the Internet or direct leased line connections. It converts the message format into a format understood by the SMSC, typically this is the SMPP protocol. Direct-to-SMSC gateways are used by SMS aggregators to provide SMS services to their clients. Typically they serve for high volume messaging and require a contract directly with a mobile operator..
2007 has native support for sending SMS messages worldwide via the Outlook Mobile Service. There are also plug-ins for Microsoft Outlook that add this functionality.
(AIM) version 5.2 and above has support for sending SMS messages for free. Third-party client Pidgin
also supports this functionality through the AIM protocol.
also has support for sending SMS messages for free. Third-party client Pidgin
also supports this functionality through the ICQ protocol since version 2.2.
) solution to send SMS directly from an internet connected PC.
) 7.0 and up have support for SMS messages.
, accessible through a dedicated client application, or through a web site (mail.yahoo.com) have support for SMS messages. Third-party client Pidgin
also supports this functionality through the Yahoo! protocol since version 2.6.
Short message service
Short Message Service is a text messaging service component of phone, web, or mobile communication systems, using standardized communications protocols that allow the exchange of short text messages between fixed line or mobile phone devices...
( SMS) transmissions to or from a telecommunications network that supports SMS. Most messages are eventually routed into the mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
networks. Many SMS gateways support media conversion from email
Email
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
and other formats.
Gateway types
Some SMS gateway providers can be classified as aggregators or SS7 providers. The aggregator model is based on multiple agreements with mobile carriers to exchange 2-way SMS traffic into and out of the operator's Short Message Service Centre (SMS-C), also known as "local termination model". Aggregators lack direct access into the SS7 protocol, which is the protocol where the SMS messages are exchanged. These providers have no visibility and control over the message delivery, being unable to offer delivery guarantees. SMS messages are delivered in the operator's SMS-C, but not the subscriber's handset.Another type of SMS gateway provider is based on SS7 connectivity to route SMS messages, also known as "international termination model". The advantage of this model is the ability to route data directly through SS7, which gives the provider total control and visibility of the complete path during the SMS routing. This means SMS messages can be sent directly to and from recipients without having to go through the SMS-C of other mobile operators. Therefore, it's possible to avoid delays and message losses, offering full delivery guarantees of messages and optimized routing.
Several operators have true fixed-wire SMS services. These are based on extensions to the ETSI
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute is an independent, non-profit, standardization organization in the telecommunications industry in Europe, with worldwide projection...
GSM
Global System for Mobile Communications
GSM , is a standard set developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute to describe technologies for second generation digital cellular networks...
SMS standards and allow fixed-fixed, fixed-mobile and mobile-fixed messaging. These use Frequency-shift keying
Frequency-shift keying
Frequency-shift keying is a frequency modulation scheme in which digital information is transmitted through discrete frequency changes of a carrier wave. The simplest FSK is binary FSK . BFSK uses a pair of discrete frequencies to transmit binary information. With this scheme, the "1" is called...
to transfer the message between the terminal and the SMS-C. Terminals are usually DECT
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications , usually known by the acronym DECT, is a digital communication standard, which is primarily used for creating cordless phone systems...
-based, but wired handsets and wired text-only (no voice) devices exist. Messages are received by the terminal recognising that the CLI is that of the SMS-C and going off-hook silently to receive the message.
Direct-to-mobile gateway appliance
A direct-to-mobile gateway is a device which has built-in wireless GSM connectivity. It allows SMS text messages to be sent and/or received by email, from web pages or from other software applications by acquiring a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card) . Direct-to-mobile gateways are different from SMS aggregators because they are installed on an organization's own network and connect to a local mobile network. The connection to the mobile network is made by acquiring a Sim card from the mobile operator and installing it in the gateway. Typically, direct-to-mobile gateway appliances are used for low 100's or 1000 texts per month. More model appliances now offer the capability of send up to 100,000 messages each day. Several vendors that have historically provide GSM Gateway equipment for voice also have an SMS capability. Some are more primitive than others. The more sophisticated devices are engineered with SIM management to regulate the number of SMS messages per SIM; ODBC to connect to a database and HTTP interfaces to interactive with third party applications.Regulation: SMS Gateway equipment is regulated via the Mobile Telegraphy Act in the UK and can be used legally by and company to send sms to their own customers or prospects.
Direct-to-SMSC gateway
A direct-to-SMSCSMSC
* Seoul Metro * Short message service center* Smart Mixed-Signal Connectivity...
gateway is a device which allows SMS text messages to be sent and received by email, from web pages or from other software applications. The gateway connects directly to a mobile operator's SMSC via the Internet or direct leased line connections. It converts the message format into a format understood by the SMSC, typically this is the SMPP protocol. Direct-to-SMSC gateways are used by SMS aggregators to provide SMS services to their clients. Typically they serve for high volume messaging and require a contract directly with a mobile operator..
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft OutlookMicrosoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft, available both as a separate application as well as a part of the Microsoft Office suite...
2007 has native support for sending SMS messages worldwide via the Outlook Mobile Service. There are also plug-ins for Microsoft Outlook that add this functionality.
AOL Instant Messenger
AOL Instant MessengerAOL Instant Messenger
AOL Instant Messenger is an instant messaging and presence computer program which uses the proprietary OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol to allow registered users to communicate in real time. It was released by AOL in May 1997...
(AIM) version 5.2 and above has support for sending SMS messages for free. Third-party client Pidgin
Pidgin (software)
Pidgin is an open-source multi-platform instant messaging client, based on a library named libpurple. Libpurple has support for many commonly used instant messaging protocols, allowing the user to log into various services from one application.The number of Pidgin users was estimated to be over 3...
also supports this functionality through the AIM protocol.
ICQ
ICQICQ
ICQ is an instant messaging computer program, which was first developed and popularized by the Israeli company Mirabilis, then bought by America Online, and since April 2010 owned by Mail.ru Group. The name ICQ is a homophone for the phrase "I seek you"...
also has support for sending SMS messages for free. Third-party client Pidgin
Pidgin (software)
Pidgin is an open-source multi-platform instant messaging client, based on a library named libpurple. Libpurple has support for many commonly used instant messaging protocols, allowing the user to log into various services from one application.The number of Pidgin users was estimated to be over 3...
also supports this functionality through the ICQ protocol since version 2.2.
SMS send platform
Some software providers are proposing a SaaS ( Software as a ServiceSoftware as a Service
Software as a service , sometimes referred to as "on-demand software," is a software delivery model in which software and its associated data are hosted centrally and are typically accessed by users using a thin client, normally using a web browser over the Internet.SaaS has become a common...
) solution to send SMS directly from an internet connected PC.
Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger (Windows Live MessengerWindows Live Messenger
Windows Live Messenger is an instant messaging client created by Microsoft that is currently designed to work with Windows XP , Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Mobile, Windows CE, Xbox 360, Blackberry OS, iOS, Java ME, S60 on Symbian OS 9.x and Zune HD...
) 7.0 and up have support for SMS messages.
Yahoo! Messenger
Yahoo! MessengerYahoo! Messenger
Yahoo! Messenger is an advertisement-supported instant messaging client and associated protocol provided by Yahoo!...
, accessible through a dedicated client application, or through a web site (mail.yahoo.com) have support for SMS messages. Third-party client Pidgin
Pidgin (software)
Pidgin is an open-source multi-platform instant messaging client, based on a library named libpurple. Libpurple has support for many commonly used instant messaging protocols, allowing the user to log into various services from one application.The number of Pidgin users was estimated to be over 3...
also supports this functionality through the Yahoo! protocol since version 2.6.
See also
- Voice over IPVoice over IPVoice over Internet Protocol is a family of technologies, methodologies, communication protocols, and transmission techniques for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol networks, such as the Internet...
- VideoconferencingVideoconferencingVideoconferencing is the conduct of a videoconference by a set of telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously...
- List of SMS gateways
- Kannel (telecommunications)Kannel (telecommunications)In computing, Kannel is an open source WAP gateway. It provides the essential part of the WAP infrastructure as open source software to everyone so that the market potential for WAP services, both from wireless operators and specialized service providers, will be realized as efficiently as...