Receiving SMS (2-Way SMS)

Overview

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.

• Operator Short Codes
• Virtual Mobile Number
• SIM Card Hosting

With short codes and virtual mobile numbers, MX Telecom receive messages via direct connections into the network SMSCs (SMS centres). However, with SIM card hosting, the messages must be received over the air, and thus this is a lower grade solution.

Operator Short Codes

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. For further information, click here.

MX Telecom Virtual Mobile

MX Telecom 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. For further information, click here.

MX Telecom SIM Card Hosting Service (GSM)

MX Telecom can host a GSM Terminal with your own SIM card at a secure MX Telecom data facility. Rather than the message being passed to the MX Telecom 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 5 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 MX Telecom to host a SIM card for you. For further information, click here.

Service comparison

Service	Type of service	Maximum receive rate	Type of number	Accessibility	Setup fee	Monthly fee
MX Telecom Inbound Short Code Service	Dedicated	30 SMSs per second per network	5 digit short code	Only from subscribed networks	0 GBP	200GBP / 175GBP per network
MX Telecom Inbound Short Code Keyword Service	Shared (Keyword)	30 SMSs per second per network	5 digit short code	Only from subscribed networks	0 GBP	75GBP per network
MX Telecom Virtual Mobile	Dedicated	30 SMSs per second	11 digit UK MSISDN	Worldwide	1000 GBP	350 GBP
Shared MX Telecom Virtual Mobile	Shared (Keyword)	30 SMSs per second	11 digit UK MSISDN	Worldwide	0 GBP	150 GBP
MX Telecom Full SIM Card Hosting Service	Dedicated	1 SMS per 5 seconds	11 digit MSISDN	Worldwide	1000 GBP	200 GBP

*Please Contact Us for pricing in other countries.

Managing Two Way SMS Services

One of the key advantages of using MX Telecom to receive SMS for you, is that in addition to the technical interfaces we provide, clients who want to outsource the development of more complicated messaging services can use the Content Managment Platform, CMX2. This provides the ability to construct intelligent messaging services from simple "building blocks".

For more information how to Connect to our SMS Gateway, click here. For more information on CMX2's messaging capabilities, click here.

Send a test Two Way message

To get an idea of the speed of delivery and to visualise the concept of a Two-Way message, please send the word MX from your mobile phone to the following Short Code: 10993. You should receive a text message confirming receipt, back to your mobile phone.

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.

About MX Telecom MX Telecom is a leader in wireless technology. MX Telecom offers an easily accessible gateway to data, voice and video messaging services including 2-way and premium SMS, multimedia messaging, interactive voice response, location-based services, video short codes, Internet and TV related solutions. For more information, MX Telecom can be reached on 1-877-MXTELECOM (+1 877 698 3532), or via email at sales@mxtelecom.com.