SMS in GSM Network

SMS Basic :
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SMS (Short Message Service) is the transmission of short text messages to and from a mobile phone, or any other device capable of generating the SMS. It is composed of a maximum of 160 characters, each coded on 7 bits (GSM) or 140 bytes. End to end SMS delivery completes in two parts, First SMS submission in SMSC (Short Message Service Centre) by originating subscriber, second Delivery of SMS to recipient subscriber. So SMS is a Stored and Forward Service. Once a message is sent, it is received by a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) of the calling subscribers network, which then delivers it to the appropriate destination device. In the GSM SMS delivery, SMS termination does not require the SMSC of the recipient subscribers Operator. However In CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network or GSM to CDMA SMS transfer, or in case of some services like Push SMS, the recipient SMSC is also used for terminating the SMS to the recipient. In all these types of SMS transfer, the air interface-signalling channel is extensively used for terminating the SMS traffic. SMS uses the signaling channel (not dedicated), so it can be sent/received simultaneously with the voice/data/fax service over a network.

SMS Text Length:

The short part refers to the maximum size of the text messages: 160 characters (letters, numbers or symbols in the Latin alphabet). For other alphabets, such as Chinese, the maximum SMS size is 70 characters. Types of SMS : With the growing convergence Technology of networks and services, SMS can be send from a mobile phone, fixed phone, or even via the Internet. On the basis of originating and terminating identities, SMS can be broadly classified into the following 4 categories : P2P, A2P, P2N & I2P.
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P2P (Person to Person) : In Person to Person (P2P) mode, the SMS is between two individual subscribers. The SMSC or originating operator stores the SMS & sends it to the recipient, either directly or in case of GSM to CDMA or CDMA to CDMA network, through the SMSC of the terminating operator. A2P (Application/Advertiser to Person) : In Advertiser/Application to Person (A2P) SMS mode, advertising agencies have a commercial agreement with one or more service providers. Advertisers provide the messages and mobile numbers to an operator, who then sends the messages in broadcast mode to the recipients. If the SMS transfer is on-

net, then SMS moves only within the network of one operator and hence there is no issue of loading resources of other operators, but if the recipient subscriber is attached with another operator, then the resources of the terminating operator are also used for delivering of such SMSs. This type of SMS delivery is also termed as Push method. P2N (Person to Network) or P2A (Person to Application) : The Person to Network (P2N) SMSs are usually an on-net service. In this type mode, the content provider usually has a revenue share agreement with the service provider. The operator gives the content provider a 4-5 digit short SMS code. The content provider then uses the short codes to provide different kinds of services like astrology information, ring tones, picture downloads, tele-voting, games, etc. Operators charge premium rate for these SMS to the short codes. I2P (Internet to Person) : The Internet to Person (I2P) arrangement allowed by some operators with the provision of a web interface enables a person to send an SMS from the Internet to mobile subscribers. They also accept SMS originating from the Internet messaging web sites.

Basic SMS Network Element :

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SMSC HLR MSC VLR BSC BTS UE (User Equipment : Mobile/Laptop/Fixed Phone)

SMS is carried on a signaling channel of air interface from mobile handsets to the Base Transceiver Station (BTS), and thereafter it is carried on the Signaling System 7 (SS7) signalling channel throughout BSC, MSC/VLR, SMSC. Basic SMS Call Flow : End to end SMS transaction completes in 2 parts :
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Message submission by originating subscriber to its SMSC (Mobile Originating Part) Message delivery by SMSC to recipient Subscriber (Mobile terminating Part)

Basic end to end SMS call flow shown in following diagram :

SMS Originating Part MO SM Submit :

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The SM is sent from the originating Mobile Station (MS) to the serving Mobile Switching Center (MSC). The address of the SMSC where the SM should be submitted to is stored on the SIM card of the subscriber and forwarded to the MSC with the message. The MSC forwards the SM to the SMSC. The SMSC returns a positive (ACK) or negative (NACK) response indicating whether the message was successfully stored of not.

SMS Terminating Part MT SM Deliver :

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To delivers a SM SMSC has to find out the location (serving MSC) and the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the recipient subscriber first. This information (routing information) is retrieved from the Home Location Register (HLR) of the recipient subscriber based on the recipient number (MSISDN). HLR Provides routing Information to SMSC, which includes IMSI and serving MSC of recipient number. Based on routing information SMSC delivers SM to the serving MSC and MSC forwards it to the recipient Mobile Station.

SMS Delivery Report : Successful Delivery On successful delivery SMSC sends delivery report to the originator if requested. Failed Delivery If SMS is not delivered to the recipient number SMSC send failure reason to the originator.
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Permanent Error : For example Unknown Subscriber Temporary Error : For example Absent Subscriber

SMSC Retry : In case of temporary errors the SMSC schedules a next delivery attempt, called SMSC retry.

Network Trigger : If the subscriber is not reachable (absent) the SMSC notifies the HLR that there is a message waiting for the recipient number. When the HLR detects the presence of the subscriber, it alerts the SMSC and SMSC forwards SM to the serving MSC. Regular SMS Messages : Send Routing Information for Short Message (SRI-SM): Between Origin SMSC and Destination HLR, to retrieve the routing information needed for routing the short message to the servicing MSC. Mobile Originating Forward Short Message (MO Forward SM): Between Origin MSC and Origin SMSC, to forward mobile originated short messages. Mobile Terminating Forward Short Message (MT Forward SM): Between Origin SMSC and Destination MSC, to forward mobile terminated short messages. Send-Info-For-MO-SMS: Between the Origin MSC and VLR, to request subscriber related information from the VLR. Send-Info-For-MT-SMS: Between the Destination MSC and VLR, to request subscriber related information from the VLR. Report Short Message Delivery Status: Between Origin SMSC and Destination HLR, to set the Message Waiting Data into the HLR or to inform the HLR of successful SM transfer after polling. Alert Service Centre: Between Destination HLR and Origin SMSC, to inform SMSC that a subscriber, whose MSISDN is in the Message Waiting Data file, is active or the MS has memory available. Inform Service Centre: Between Destination HLR and Origin SMSC, to inform the SMSC which MSISDN number is stored in the Message Waiting Data file, or to provide status on different messaging flags. Ready For Short Message:

Between the Destination MSC and Destination VLR as well as between the Destination VLR and the Destination HLR. The MSC initiates this service if a subscriber indicates memory available situation. The VLR uses the service to indicate this to the HLR.