Glossary

Short codes are easy-to-remember, human-friendly numbers, usually 3 to 7 digits in length, used to send and receive SMS messages. Short codes are always provided by the operator. They can either be a specific SC or a random generated one – specific SC is more expensive.

Service Level Agreement (SLA) is the part of a service contract formally defining the level of service.

SMPP is the short message peer-to-peer protocol. It is a telecom industry protocol for exchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short message service centers (SMSCs).

An SMS Aggregator is a mobile telecom company with multiple agreements with MNOs to send and receive data from the operator's SMSC. SMS Aggregator is an intermediary between companies that want to interact with end-users and mobile network operators.

SMS delivery is the distribution of mobile messages, including SMS and Premium SMS, directly to the end-users' mobile devices.

An SMS gateway is a point of entry or exit for SMS messages. It is a network node equipped for connecting to another network that uses the same or different protocols. The most common protocols are SMPP and HTTP.

SMS Hubbing is a new structure for international SMS traffic, reshaping international mobile interoperability by employing messaging centers/hubs to intermediate SMS traffic and offer a larger SMS coverage. The GSMA defines SMS hubbing as the solution to a limitation of the steady international SMS traffic growth. It culminated with SMS hubbing trials in 2006, as the part of the Open Connectivity project. This project created a new structure for international SMS interoperability and defined new standards for the SMS hubs. Regardless of the maturity of the MNO or number of subscribers, each subscriber wants to be able to send an SMS to other subscribers, regardless of country and mobile network.

SMS keywords is a short word made out of letters or/and numbers. The keyword is the first of two basic components of every successful SMS marketing campaign. The customer needs to text this keyword to the short code to trigger a response.

A short message service center (SMSC) is an element of mobile telecommunications networks which delivers SMS messages.

Signalling System #7 (SS7) is a set of telephony signaling protocols which are used to set up most of the world's public switched telephone calls. This system is also used in mobile messaging, prepaid billing and other applications.