Short Message Service (SMS) gateway is a mechanism by which SMS messages are sent and received. It is a critical element in the popular SMS communications. SMS gateways support inter-networking between SMS Centers (SMSC) that store forward, convert and deliver SMS messages.  It is developed for multiprotocol communications, converting SMS protocols (if necessary), and allowing smooth messaging between subscribers of different carriers. Tthere are also SMS gateway sites on the Web allowing SMS messaging from web browsers.

SMS Gateway – a Critical Component

According to a press release of Portio Research about their report ‘Mobile Messaging Futures 2013-2017’ “SMS still continues to deliver staggering revenues despite the growing popularity of OTT messaging applications.” It seems that SMS continues to be very popular among people and organizations, for numerous purposes. SMS gateway is a critical component to this type of communication.

SMS Gateway Routes Messages to their Destination

The SMS gateway is actually a software that allows access to SMSCs. The connection to the SMSC can be done through the carrier’s private network or through the Web. Usually the SMS gateway is responsible for SMS routing ensuring that messages arrive at their destination.

SMS Gateway Assures Successful Distribution

SMS gateway assures successful distribution of SMS even to unlimited number of subscribers. SMSC enables to define distribution lists for sending multiple SMS messages. The distribution lists can contain unlimited destination numbers. Maximum traffic for each interface can be defined. This function ensures that the SMSC doesn’t saturate the network, especially in cases of large distribution lists.

Preventing Hackers from Spamming Subscribers

However, despite the ability to send SMS to unlimited destination numbers, the number of mobile originated (MO) SMSs sent per day from a specific subscriber/to a specific subscriber can be limited. MO SMSs sent from a specific sender/to a specific number after this threshold are discarded. This helps prevent hackers from spamming subscribers, by checking the validity of their originating address with the VLR records in the HLR. VLR/MSC blacklists for override can be configured, as well as IMSI ranges and target addresses.

CALLUP SMSC Supports the IP World

The telecom industry is constantly advancing to meet the needs of a changing world. Smartphone and other smart IP devices are always connected, and CALLUP’s SMSC can provide the messaging services and infrastructure for these the ultimate advanced user experience.

The Rich Communication Services (RCS), a GSM Association (GSMA) program for the creation of inter-operator communication services based on IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), is laying the groundwork for the evolution to an all-IP environment, and introducing new capabilities such as social presence, (group) chat, image transfer, and more. CALLUP SMSC includes an IP interface for both incoming and outgoing messaging traffic. Complex scenarios that include GSM MAP, CDMA IS-41 and IP SIP messaging are supported and interoperate in single or distributed configurations. It can also act as an IP-SM gateway, an innovative SMS gateway, acting as a bridge that can relay messages from the “old school” protocols to the new IP based protocols and standards. In addition native SMS in LTE networks is supported.

IP SMS - Critical Need and Most Cost Effective Option

Today  the critical need among mobile operators is to reduce costs by transferring speech and data over the Internet (IP). The same applies to the transfer of SMS messages via IP SMSC. Communication via SMS is still very popular and will continue to be so in the coming years, so mobile operators need to provide the best service in this area, and yet at an affordable price for their subscribers, and with reduced costs for them. As mentioned - the solution is using IP SMSC. In today's competitive environment, where every operator must become more efficient and best utilize all available resources, there is no doubt that IP SMS is the most cost effective option for delivering SMS messages.