subject: What Is A Sms Gateway? [print this page] What is an SMS Gateway? The term SMS gateway refers to a telecommunications system that sends and receives SMS messages to or from an SMS-supporting telecoms network. In most cases the messages are sent on to mobile phone networks. These gateways may also be able to convert SMSs into emails and vice versa.
Types of Gateway A number of providers of sms gateway are categorised as SS7 providers or aggregators. A number of agreements are usually in place between the aggregator and mobile network carriers, enabling the two-way transfer of text messages into and out of the mobile network's short message service centre, or SMSC. This type of gateway also known as the local termination model. This type of operator has no control over the message delivery and cannot guarantee delivery success. In this case, messages are not delivered directly to the user's device, but to the mobile operator's SMSC.
The international termination model is another type of gateway provider, based on SS7 connectivity with a view to routing SMSs. This method has the advantage of routing directly through the SS7, offering the provider complete control and visibility over the entire process. This enables the by-passing of the SMSC, i.e. SMS messages can be sent directly to and from users. Message losses and delays are therefore avoided. Another gateway type is that of fixed-wire sms api. ETSI GSM SMS standards form the basis of this service, enabling fixed-fixed, mobile-fixed and fixed-mobile messaging. Frequency-shift keying is used to transfer SMSs between the sending terminal and the SMSC.
Wired devices and wired text-only handsets exist, but most terminals are normally DECT based. SMS Gateways are used by all manner of organisations, from large multi-national corporations to government departments. Emails, for example, can be converted to SMSs and sent through these gateways. They enable large numbers of SMSs to be delivered and can be used for all manner of situations. For example, a company may wish to send its staff an important message; they may want to tell certain employees to stay at home because of bad weather, or they may wish to simply wish them merry Christmas.
There are a variety of companies offering access to SMS gateways, and each offer a variety of pricing plans. As a way of communicating securely with large numbers of people within an organisation, it is considered by many to be a very effective and efficient tool.
