2-Way
SMS
This
section applies to receiving SMS messages and
two-way SMS services. There are 3 distinct ways
to receive SMS, although Operator Short Codes is
the most common and best technical solution for
billing.
With
short codes and virtual mobile numbers, it2sms
receive messages via direct connections into the
network Smsc (SMS centers). However, with SIM
card hosting, the messages must be received over
the air, and thus this is a lower grade
solution.
Using
Operator Short Codes is the highest inbound
volume SMS solution available. Operator short
codes are capabable on average of receiving
roughly 30 SMS messages per second, per network.
This means that a cross network short code would
be able to receive over 100 messages per second,
assuming that the traffic was shared equally
over the networks.
Importantly, short codes are network specific.
Therefore, short codes can be enabled for only a
subset of the available networks. This option is
cheaper, but the disadvantage is that only a
subset of mobile users will be able to use this
service. Enabling a short code across all
networks therefore provides a better service.
Mobile Originated (MO) SMS messages can be set
at different tariff rates on short codes, but
this is not available for virtual mobile numbers
or SIM cards, where standard rate always
applies. This means that mobile phone users can
be charged a premium for
sending
an SMS text message to a short code, which is
another possible source of revenue.
In fact,
short codes are the only way of billing users
via Premium SMS, (often known as Reverse
Billing). Therefore, using Operator Short Codes
is in fact the complete SMS billing solution.
it2sms
Virtual Mobile is designed to receive SMSs on
virtually any mobile network around the world
using a standard 11 digit mobile number. It has
an advantage over short codes, in that like a
normal mobile number, it can receive SMS
messages from most networks in the world. This
is completely different to operator short codes,
which can only receive messages from users on
that network. However, there are no billing
options when using a Virtual Mobile number. The
MO leg is always set to standard rate, and
Premium SMS cannot be sent from a Virtual Mobile
number. Therefore this is a purely inbound,
non-billed solution.
it2sms
can host a GSM Terminal with your own SIM card
at a secure it2sms data facility. Rather than
the message being passed to the it2sms SMS
gateway via direct connections into the operator
SMSCs, the message will be received onto the SIM
card over the air. This solution is capable of
receiving an SMS message every 3 seconds or so,
and can send at a rate of 1 message per 4
seconds. As such, it is totally unsuitable for
high volume campaigns.
However,
there are sometimes occasions when SIM card
hosting is necessary, especially in countries
where direct SMSC connections are not available.
Please contact us if you would like
it2sms to host a SIM card for you.
Service comparison
|
Service |
Type of service |
Maximum receive rate |
Type of number |
Accessibility |
Setup fee |
Monthly fee |
|
it2sms
Inbound Short Code Service |
Dedicated |
30 SMSs per second per network |
5 digit short code |
Only from subscribed networks |
0 $ |
200$ |
|
it2sms
Inbound Short Code Keyword Service |
Shared (Keyword) |
30 SMSs per second per network |
5 digit short code |
Only from subscribed networks |
0 $ |
75$ |
|
it2sms Virtual Mobile |
Dedicated |
30 SMSs per second |
11 digit UK MSISDN |
Worldwide |
1000 $ |
350 $ |
|
Shared it2sms Virtual Mobile |
Shared (Keyword) |
30 SMSs per second |
11 digit UK MSISDN |
Worldwide |
0 $ |
150 $ |
|
it2sms
Full SIM Card Hosting Service |
Dedicated |
10 SMS per second |
11 digit MSISDN |
Worldwide |
1000 $ |
200 $ |
2-Way SMS Services
Examples
of 2-Way SMS Services include:
- Content delivery.
Upon seeing an advert somewhere, a user
will text in a keyword to a short code, and
will then receive a WAP Push message
back, which takes them to the WAP site where
they can download content. Such content
could be ringtones, music files, video
clips, java applications, etc.
- SMS Chat.
All forms of SMS Chat use a 2-Way SMS
System.
- Live Competitions.
Companies running live competitions can
accept answers via SMS, and then respond
accordingly.
- SMS to Email.
Following the receipt of an SMS
containing an email address followed by a
message, it can be automatically sent
through as an email.
- Information request.
Users can text a question to a number,
and receive the answer as a billed message.
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