Definition

SMS gateway

An SMS gateway is a Web site that allow users to send SMS messages from a Web browser to people within the cell served by that gateway. An SMS gateway can also serve as an international gateway for users with roaming capability, allowing SMS communication away from the home network.

SMS gateways solve a common telecommunications problem, that of different wireless telephony providers using different or proprietary communication protocols. The gateway acts as a relay, translating one protocol into another. Wireless network operators use SMS gateways to connect SMS centers (SMSCs). An SMSC is the portion of a wireless network that handles SMS operations, such as routing, forwarding and storing incoming text messages on their way to desired endpoints.

Along with many commercial software products, open source SMS gateway software can be downloaded online. Kannel, written in C, can make connections to SMSCs, cellular phones and GSM or GPRS modems. Kannel uses an HTTP / HTTPS interface for sending and receiving SMS messages.

Related glossary terms: short message service center (SMSC), iPod, texting (text messaging or wireless messaging), podslurping (slurping), chucking, mobile-to-mobile convergence (MMC), cellular telephone (mobile telephone), keitai, mobile Internet device (MID), predictive text

This was last updated in July 2007

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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