SMSC - The Critical Role of the Short Message Service Center
Short Message Service Center (SMSC) is a critical element in carriers’ networks. It stores, forwards, converts and delivers SMS messages. SMS is one of the most popular communications methods. According to a study conducted by SAP, eight out of 10 (81 percent) express that sometimes they just need a simple process like SMS rather than use a mobile app. According to SAP’s newsbyte “70 percent of respondents say that SMS is a good way for a company to get their attention and 64 percent say that organizations should use SMS-based engagement more often.”
Can We Imagine our Life without SMS?
It seems that today we can’t imagine our life without SMS. People and organizations are using SMS for numerous purposes. For example, individuals are using it often instead of phone calls, while companies send reminders and invite customers to enjoy new campaigns. SMS messages are also critical, such as emergency messages from authorities, and bank notifications about credit card transactions sent to the card holder.
High Capacity Traffic of up to 12,000 Transactions per Second
CALLUP SMSC is a feature-rich, scalable SMSC platform that offers 99.999% availability, handles high volumes, supporting both SS7 and IP-based access. CALLUP’s SMSC has rich feature set such as: Anti-Spam, Anti Spoof, Personal SMS, Web self-care and more.
CALLUP SMSC is protected from overload, by constantly measuring the success rates, response from other elements (STPs, HLRs etc.), and all sorts of algorithms to maintain the best service level possible even under pressure.
Defining Distribution Lists for Multiple SMS Messages
SMSC enables to define distribution lists for sending multiple SMS messages via the Web interface. The distribution lists can contain an unlimited number of destination numbers and can be imported from a database by SQL query or a file. Maximum traffic for each interface can be defined, such as SMPP and SMTP, according to the time of day, via the Web interface. This function ensures that the SMSC will not saturate the network, especially when SMS messages are sent to large distribution lists. Traffic control is also achieved by defining MPS (Messages per Second) for each switch.
SMSC Enhances SMS Security, including Anti-Spam and Anti-Spoof
With daily amount of messages per originator/destination protection, 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 will be discarded. SMSC prevents 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.
SMSC Provides Service to other Networks, Hosted by the MNO
SMSC can be used to provide service to other networks, hosted by the MNO. This means that SMS services can be sold by the MNO to its MVNO clients. The BaP interface, which provides the interface for provisioning, can be defined to host additional information about subscribers. In addition, if the MNO would like to provide its MVNO customer full control of the SMSC, it can be configured to run in a dedicated “sand box” virtual machine, with dedicated interfaces. This allows the MNO to provide full control of its SMSC, including all the management and maintenance responsibility.
CALLUP SMSC Supports the IP World
The world is changing, and the telecom industry is constantly going forward. 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), prepares the ground for the evolution to an all IP environment, and introduces new capabilities such as social presence, (group) chat, image transfer etc. CALLUP SMSC includes an IP interface for both incoming and outgoing messaging traffic. Complex scenarios which 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, 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.