Mobile Messaging Technologies And Services

Mobile messaging is practically the first data communication service in the wireless domain. It is a major advance on the conventional practice of providing only voice communication service over the wireless interface. Thus, mobile messaging is the initial step to bring the Internet to wireless terminals and has considerable importance both for mobile communication and the Internet. Mobile Messaging provides an in-depth description of messaging technologies supported by mobile networks. It covers the Short Message Service (SMS), Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) through to the more complex and emerging Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). The Short Message System (SMS) has proved to be incredibly popular and is supported by most GSM, TDMA and CDMA mobile networks. This volume focuses on the Short Message Service introduced by the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) for GSM and GPRS networks. On the basis of ETSI standard, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is currently the organisation responsible for maintaining the SMS technical specifications. In its most basic form, the Short Messaging Service allows users to exchange short messages composed of a limited amount of text and it is expected that up to 100 Billion short messages could be exchanged monthly by the end of 2002. The Enhanced Message Service (EMS), an application-level extension of SMS, supersedes basic SMS features by allowing elements such as images, animations, formatted text and monophonic melodies to be inserted in short or concatenated messages. Recently, the 3GPP has been focusing on the development of the Multimedia Message Service (MMS). MMS features include the exchange of messages containing polyphonic melodies, large images, video elements sometimes organised with a multimedia presentation language such as SMIL or xHTML. MMS will be supported by 2.5 G and 3G networks. MMS specifications have reached a fairly mature stage and MMS commercial solutions are appearing on the market. Unlike EMS, MMS has been specified by the 3GPP as a service independent from the underlying network technologies. In parallel to the 3GPP standardisation process, other organisations have specified network-specific implementations of MMS such as the WAP implementation defined by the WAP Forum. In order to develop applications using Short, Enhanced and Multimedia messaging technologies, engineers have to become familiar with the use of technical specifications produced by various standard development organisations such as the 3GPP, the WAP Forum and the IETF and this is the first book to pull this vast array of material together. * Provides an in depth description of the different messaging services and messaging technologies * Presents an introduction to mobile networks * Features numerous practical implementation examples * Provides a unique easy-to-follow presentation of messaging services and mobile networks within a single publication Essential reading for content providers, service providers, network operators and telecommunications manufacturers, researchers, postgraduate students, marketing and standardisation personnel.

MMS has evolved from the huge popularity of the SMS text service for GSM networks. It is a departure from the transport mechanism used for SMS (which is based on the GSM signalling channels) to the use of IP to transport messages within the MMS network. To this end MMS has similarities with Internet email and standard IETF protocols. As with any new technology it is difficult to accurately predict the position within the next 5 years, although based on previous experience with WAP and SMS it would be fair to say that these protocols will increase in usage over the next 5 years and become legacy for a further 5 years following which, users will migrate onto the next wave of messaging. Significant revenue growth and data usage is expected to be driven by consumer usage of MMS. But MMS technology offers more than just a broadening of message content. With MMS, it is not only possible to send your multimedia messages from one phone to another, but also from phone to email, and vice versa. This feature dramatically increases the possibilities of mobile communication, both for private and corporate use. Multimedia messaging will reshape the landscape of mobile communication, making it more personal, more versatile, and more expressive than ever before. MMS: Is the first book to address how MMS (and the use of IP to transport messages) will affect existing infrastructure and business models Covers the fundamental changes to mail and billing systems Includes future recommendations, such as interoperability and evolution Presents an overview of the MMS technology components Drawing on the authors hands-on experience in the implementation of MMS technology (developing, billing and delivering services) at BT, this innovative book will appeal to engineering managers, network operators, market analysts, business decision makers, content providers and operator organizations.

The Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is regarded as the best-of-the breed of proven messaging technologies, surpassing SMS and electronic mail to offer a truly multimedia experience to mobile users. The first commercial solutions appeared on the market in 2002 and the penetration rate of MMS is now quickly approaching the required level for mass-market adoption. By leveraging accessible technologies, MMS has gained wide acceptance from major market players and provides great business opportunities for the whole telecommunications industry. Introduces usage scenarios and provides a comprehensive description of enabling technologies for MMS, from version 1.0 to version 1.2 (featuring message content classes, video support, online message boxes, digital rights management, etc.) Demystifies MMS standards by clearly illustrating technical explanations with numerous practical examples, from the design of multimedia messages to the interfacing of applications with MMS centres Sheds light on common implementation pitfalls and known interoperability issues Based on the author’s own experience as a standardization expert and software architect for one of the major handset vendors, Multimedia Messaging Service provides a stimulating practical reference book for network operators, content designers, device manufacturers and developers of messaging applications, and will also appeal to researchers and students.

The traditionally separate Fixed, Mobile, and Internet sectors have been evolving recently toward a single sector, offering numerous implications for those involved in technology and business. It is therefore essential for telecommunication professionals to get a keen grasp of where the industry is heading. Providing a solid foundation in the industry, Introduction to Mobile Communications: Technology, Services, Markets explores the core requirements of modern mobile telecommunications-from markets to technology. It explains how wireless systems work, how mobility is supported, the underlying infrastructure, and what interactions are needed among the different functional components. The book also examines how mobile communications are evolving in order to meet the changing needs of users. The information provided in the book comes primarily from the four core modules of the Certificate in Mobile Communications Distance Learning program run by the Informa Telecoms Academy in London. Designed by a highly experienced training development team, the program examines the complex and fascinating world of mobile communications. Designed to give a broad picture of mobile communications, the book provides an excellent grounding for those involved in both business and engineering-leaving them much better equipped to fulfill roles within their current or prospective companies

There is a growing body of interesting research exploring the social shaping of mobile phones, covering a wide range of topics, from new forms of communication, to the changes in time organization, the uses of public places, the display of emotions and the formation and sustaining of communities. This book evaluates the launch and adoption of mobile phones, drawing out lessons for the future. In particular, it explores how social scientists can collaborate with designers and engineers in the development of new devices and uses. It will interest people from both industry and academia. Those working in the mobile communications industry in strategy, design and marketing will find this book of particular interest. In academia, undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as researchers in a wide range of social science fields will find it a useful reference: sociologists, economists, psychologists in areas such as Science and Technology studies; Cultural studies and New Media studies.

Everything telecom professionals need to know about using SMS on mobile devices, and the incredible financial possibilities of doing so.

New, attractive services for communications systems are versatile and promise to make the next generation of communications a success. Yet, as the systems grow more complex and diverse, so do the challenges of managing them. Service management derives from technologies used in fixed telephony systems and has evolved towards supporting packet-based services in an increasingly open environment. It is common belief that 3G (and later 4G) services will change the way we communicate and interrelate. The user will be put at centre stage and systems will be able to handle intelligent user profiles, proactive service selection, context-aware service provisioning and ubiquitous computing. Managing, charging for, and controlling these services render traditional business models inadequate and demand new solutions. Managing Mobile Services Covers challenges, solutions and technologies for implementing IP-based services in a mobile environment, with special attention to security, flexibility and charging. Discusses business models, service management architectures and standardization efforts. Considers requirements and characteristics of services, and service modelling. Includes two case studies illustrating the challenges, technologies and solutions involved with real-world service management. This book gives telecommunications/data engineers, operators and service providers as well as students and academics an in-depth understanding of the issues involved in implementing and managing new value-added services.

Contributions from Finn Trosby, Kevin Holley, Ian Harris Written to celebrate the 25th anniversary of SMS standardization by the people who produced the standards, Short Message Service (SMS): The Creation of Personal Text Messaging, describes the development of the SMS standard and its ongoing evolution. The standardization of SMS started in February 1985 as a part of the creation of the second generation digital cellular system GSM, and the 25th anniversary of the first work on SMS provides an opportunity to review and understand how this service was developed. The book also looks to the future, as a large number of new GSM and evolved GSM phones will support SMS as a mass market high availability messaging service, a new simple Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) suitable for use by everyone and for implementation in every new terminal is proposed. One of the only books which covers the complete SMS genesis from concept ideas to standardization of a first technical solution and its evolution to the present day. Describes the service concept including the limitation of the message length to 160 characters and explains the rationale behind the concept. Based on existing and newly retrieved documentation. Concludes that SMS has a long future since most future GSM phones will support SMS as the only messaging service, and so an SMS evolution is put forward.