SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS):

SMS allows text messages to be sent and received to & from Mobile phones. Every
text messages are typically 160 characters in length. SMS allows the user to transmit messages to each
other via an Operator providing service under controlled Wireless platform. SMS–MO and SMS-MT are
the 2 types of point to point messages. SMS uses Signaling Channel instead of Voice Channels, so that
SMS can be received when the user is on Voice Communication or on a normal Phone Call.

Mobile Originating – SMS:

The capability of the GSM system to send a message from a Mobile Handset to an
SME via an SC and to provide information to the Mobile Station (MS) about the delivery or failure of that
message. These messages may be destined for other mobile users, or for subscribers on a fixed network.

Fig. 7: Mobile Originating (MO) SMS Flow

Below are operational steps involved in the SMS – MO platform:

• The MS establishes a connection to the network as a normal call set-up.

 • The MSC sends the mobile Short Message using Standalone Dedicated Control Channel
(SDCCH)/ FSM to the VLR/ SMS-Inter Networking MSC (IWMSC). In parallel Mobile Station
not being blocked to send further more SMS.

• The MSC sends a Short Message to the SMSC using Forward Message Service (FSM).

• The SMSC acknowledges the Successful outcome of the FSM operation to MSC.

• The MSC return the outcome of the Short Message operation to the MS.

Mobile Terminating SMS:

SM-MT denotes the capability of the GSM system to send a message from the SC
to an MS where the message is either received, or, if the recipient device is unavailable, stored for later
delivery. A delivery report or failure report is then sent back to the SC. These messages may be input to
the Service center by other mobile users (via a mobile originated short message) or by a variety of other
sources, e.g. speech, telex, or facsimile.

Basics Steps involved in SMS – MT:

1. The Originating SMS sends SMS to the SMSC.

2. After receiving the SMS, the SMSC will communicate with the HLR to know the status of and
location of the MS.

3. The SMSC sends the Short message to the MSC using Forward Short Message(FSM) to the VLR.

4. The MSC- VLR(Visitor Location Register) will contact to find out the information from MS &
authenticate the process including the MS.

5. If the MS is switched on and not on the block, the MSC SMS transfer to MS.

6. The MSC will send the message delivery information to the SMSC. If the delivery is Success a
report is sent to the SMSC from MSC/VLR, if not the HLR is informed by the MSC/VLR and a
failure report sent back to SMSC (This would happen mostly when the user Mobile is switched-
Off/ Unreachable). The HLR then inform the SMSC when the MS becomes available.
Fig. 8: Mobile Terminating (MTT) Message + Flow.