SMS gateway
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 | This article may be too technical for most readers to understand. (May 2008) |
SMS gateway is a device or service offering SMS transit, transforming messages to mobile network traffic from other media, or vice versa, allowing transmission or receipt of SMS messages with or without the use of a mobile phone. Typical use of a gateway would be to forward simple e-mail to a mobile phone recipient.
Technical
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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'[citation needed]. 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'[citation needed]. 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.[citation needed]
Quality of service
The University of Duisburg-Essen, in partnership with mobile messaging provider Tyntec, have developed the study for SMS messaging to enable the detailed monitoring of SMS transmissions to ensure a greater degree of reliability and a higher average speed of delivery.[1] The new parameters can be used by mobile network operators, third party SMS gateways and mobile network infrastructure software vendors to monitor the transmission of SMS messages and to detect network transmission problems quickly and accurately. Based on this study, Tyntec developed relevant Service Level Agreement (SLA) to support the delivery of high quality messaging applications to enterprises, banks and financial institutions and various industry sectors.
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 SMSC. 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 SMSC and going off-hook silently to receive the message.
Implementations
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. Direct To Mobile Gateways are different to SMS Aggregators because they are installed on an organisation's own network and connect to a local mobile network. The connection to the mobile network is made by acquiring a Subscriber Idendity Module (SIM) card from the mobile operator and installing this in the gateway. Typically Direct To Mobile Gateway appliances are used for low to medium volume messaging.[citation needed]
Direct To SMSC Gateway
A Direct To SMSC Gateway is a device which allows SMS text messages to be sent and/or 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 Direct To SMSC Gateways are used for high volume messaging and require a contract directly with the Mobile Operator.[citation needed]
Monitoring
Software was recently used to great effect as a monitoring tool during the Nigerian elections,[2] and also won the WSIS "ICT Success Story of the Month" for April 2007.[3]
Skype
The Skype client (from V2.5 onwards) provides Skype SMS access. Skype users can send SMS messages to cellphones/mobiles (and land-line phones, where available) which are debited to their SkypeOut account. The Skype client logs a receipt confirming that the SMS has been received.[4]
SMS to Skype allows a GSM mobile phone user to send Skype chat messages from their phone.[5]
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook 2007 has native support for sending SMS messages via the Outlook Mobile Service. There are also plug-ins for Microsoft Outlook that add this functionality.
Carrier-Provided SMS to E-Mail Gateways
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This type of service allows people who do have a cell phone, but do not have a computer, to send email from SMS.
Carriers providing SMS to email:
| Carrier | Country | SMS to Email Gateway Number | Text Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | USA | 111 or 121 | emailaddress (subject) text |
| AT&T Mobility | USA | 36245 | emailaddress (subject) text |
Carrier-Provided E-Mail or Web to SMS Gateways
Some mobile phone carriers provide a mechanism to send emails to mobile phones using SMS. An existing alternative is sending a SMS using a web based application (ie. from a website).
NOTE: This table is not up-to-date and awaits deletion. Please see article List of carriers providing Email or Web to SMS instead (see the source code for additional information)
| Carrier | Region | Email to SMS Gateway | Web to SMS Gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-11 Speakout(GSM) | USA | number@cingularme.com | |
| Airtel | Andhra Pradesh, India | number@airtelap.com | |
| Airtel | Karnataka, India | number@airtelkk.com | |
| Airtel Wireless | Montana, USA | number@sms.airtelmontana.com | [1] |
| Alaska Communications Systems | USA | number@msg.acsalaska.com | [2] |
| Alltel Wireless | number@message.alltel.com (SMS)
number@mms.alltel.net (MMS) |
[3] | |
| aql | number@text.aql.com | [4] | |
| AT&T Wireless | USA | number@txt.att.net (SMS) [6]
number@mms.att.net (MMS) |
|
| AT&T (formerly AT&T, then Cingular, now AT&T Wireless - Original grandfathered rateplan customers) | USA | number@mmode.com | |
| AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular) | USA | number@mms.att.net
number@txt.att.net number@cingularme.com |
|
| AT&T Enterprise Paging | USA | number@page.att.net | |
| Bell Mobility & Solo Mobile | Canada | number@txt.bell.ca or
number@txt.bellmobility.ca |
[5] |
| Boost Mobile | number@myboostmobile.com | ||
| Loop Mobile (formerly BPL Mobile) | Mumbai, India | number@loopmobile.co.in | |
| Cellular One (Dobson) | number@mobile.celloneusa.com | [6] | |
| Cingular (Postpaid) | number@cingularme.com | [7] (must be logged in prior to visiting this link) | |
| Centennial Wireless | number@cwemail.com | [8] | |
| Cincinnati Bell | Cincinnati, Oh, USA | number@gocbw.com (SMS)
number@mms.gocbw.com (MMS) |
|
| Cingular (GoPhone prepaid) | number@cingularme.com (SMS) | ||
| Claro | Brasil | number@clarotorpedo.com.br | [9] (registration not required) |
| Claro | Nicaragua | number@ideasclaro-ca.com | [10] |
| Claro | Peru | [11] | |
| Comcel | number@comcel.com.co | [12] | |
| Cricket | number@mms.mycricket.com (MMS)
number@sms.mycricket.com (SMS) |
[13] | |
| CTI | number@sms.ctimovil.com.ar | [14] | |
| Emtel | Mauritius | number@emtelworld.net | [15] |
| Eventis | [16] | ||
| Fido | Canada | number@fido.ca | [17] ( Rogers web server is faster ) |
| General Communications Inc. | number@msg.gci.net | [18] | |
| Globalstar (satellite) | number@msg.globalstarusa.com | [19] | |
| Helio | number@myhelio.com | [20] | |
| Illinois Valley Cellular | number@ivctext.com | [21] | |
| Iridium | number@msg.iridium.com[7] | [22] | |
| i wireless (T-Mobile) | number.iws@iwspcs.net | [23] | |
| i-wireless (Sprint PCS) | number@iwirelesshometext.com | [24] | |
| Koodo Mobile | Canada | number@msg.koodomobile.com | |
| Meteor | Ireland | number@mms.mymeteor.ie | |
| Mero Mobile | Nepal | 977number@sms.spicenepal.com | [25] |
| MetroPCS | number@mymetropcs.com | ||
| Moldcell | [26] | ||
| Movicom | number@movimensaje.com.ar | ||
| Mobitel | Sri Lanka | number@sms.mobitel.lk | [27] |
| Movistar | Colombia | number@movistar.com.co | [28] |
| MTN | South Africa | number@sms.co.za | [29] |
| MTS | Canada | number@text.mtsmobility.com | [30] |
| Netxcell | United States and India | Please Inquire | [31] |
| Nextel | United States | number@messaging.nextel.com | [32] |
| Nextel | México | number@msgnextel.com.mx | [33] |
| Nextel | Argentina | TwoWay.11number@nextel.net.ar | [34] |
| Orange Moldova | Moldova | [35] | |
| Orange Polska | Poland | 9digit@orange.pl | [36] |
| Orange | Switzerland | [37] | |
| Personal | Argentina | number@alertas.personal.com.ar (call for activation) | [38] [39] |
| Plus GSM | Poland | +48number@text.plusgsm.pl | [40] |
| President's Choice | Canada | number@mobiletxt.ca | |
| Qwest | number@qwestmp.com | [41] | |
| Rogers | Canada | number@pcs.rogers.com | [42] |
| Sasktel | Canada | number@sms.sasktel.com | [43] |
| Setar Mobile email (Aruba) | 297+number@mas.aw | [44] | |
| Sprint (PCS) | number@messaging.sprintpcs.com (SMS)
number@pm.sprint.com (MMS) |
[45] | |
| Sprint (Nextel) | number@page.nextel.com (SMS)
number@messaging.nextel.com (Rich Messaging) |
[46] | |
| Suncom | number@tms.suncom.com | [47] | |
| Sunrise | Switzerland | number@gsm.sunrise.ch | [48] (registration required) |
| Swisscom | Switzerland | [49] [50] [51] | |
| T-Mobile | USA | number@tmomail.net[8] number@voicestream.net (still for some customers) |
[52] |
| T-Mobile | Austria | number@sms.t-mobile.at | [53] |
| T-Mobile | Croatia | 385number@sms.t-mobile.hr | [54] |
| T-Mobile | UK | number@t-mobile.uk.net[9] | [55] [10] |
| Telus Mobility | Canada | number@msg.telus.com | [56] |
| Thuraya (satellite) | [57] | ||
| Tigo (Formerly Ola) | number@sms.tigo.com.co | [58] | |
| Tracfone (prepaid) | direct: number@mmst5.tracfone.com indirect:number@txt.att.net number@tmomail.net number@vtext.com number@email.uscc.net number@message.alltel.com | ||
| Unicel | number@utext.com | [59] | |
| Unité | [60] | ||
| US Cellular | number@email.uscc.net (SMS)
number@mms.uscc.net (MMS) |
[61] | |
| Verizon | number@vtext.com (SMS)
number@vzwpix.com (MMS) |
[62] | |
| Vivo | Brasil | number@torpedoemail.com.br | [63] (registration required) |
| Virgin Mobile | Canada | number@vmobile.ca | |
| Virgin Mobile | USA | number@vmobl.com (SMS)
number@vmpix.com (MMS) |
|
| Vodacom | South Africa | number@voda.co.za | [64] (registration required) |
| Vodafone | Portugal | [65] (registration required) |
See also
References
- ^ QoS Monitoring for Professional Short-Message-Services in Mobile Networks
- ^ Monitoring using Mobile 'hub' to SMS during the Nigerian elections
- ^ "ICT Success Story of the Month"
- ^ Skype User Guide & FAQ: Use the Skype SMS Function:, 19 Sept. 2007
- ^ http://www.connectotel.com/sms/skype.html
- ^ http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/messaging-internet/messaging/using-text-messaging.jsp
- ^ Email and Iridium SMS
- ^ http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/addons/Services/information.aspx?PAsset=Messaging&oscid=4CD51BA7-B5AF-4AB2-85E0-50EC0AF141F9&tp=Svc_Tab_TextMessaging
- ^ Most E-mail to SMS services no longer function in the UK.
- ^ Most web to SMS services no longer function in the UK.