2Way SMS

Service Overview

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 1
 2way SMS Service Overview

Table of Contents

1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3

2. How it Works........................................................................................................ 4

3. Virtual Long Number ............................................................................................ 5

4. SIM Hosting ......................................................................................................... 7

5. Virtual SIM Hosting .............................................................................................. 8

6. Short codes........................................................................................................ 10

7. Features............................................................................................................. 11

8. Use Cases ......................................................................................................... 13

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 2
 2way SMS Service Overview

1. Introduction

This document presents an overview of the Infobip 2Way SMS solution. Mobile Originated
SMS (MO) is a mobile message routed from a subscriber’s mobile device and delivered to the
client's application. It offers enhanced services for Wireless Application Service Providers,
MVNOs, MVNEs, SMS aggregators, resellers, advertising agencies, media channels and
mobile infrastructure providers.

Infobip 2Way SMS solution is a fast, reliable, efficient and cost-effective tool for interaction
with clients, members of social networks, employees, and other users of the service. It is a
perfect solution for a wide range of applications and services such as marketing campaigns,
competitions, sweepstakes, television voting, chat, and many other.

Sometimes a company needs more than just outbound communication. For instance, what if
your company requires feedback? Two-Way SMS provides that return path for SMS.

 Find out what your customers want and how they feel
 Targeted market research
 Open new revenue streams
 Supplement SMS campaigns with an interactive element

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 3
 2way SMS Service Overview

2. How it Works

2Way service provides a way for our clients to receive messages sent from mobile devices to
their application(s) using Infobip platform.

SMS-MT

CLIENT
SMPP
or
HTTP
infobip
SMS-MO

Everything clients need to do is to choose one of the solutions which suits their 2Way service
the most. Infobip provides four different solutions for 2Way SMS service:

 Virtual Long Number

 Virtual SIM hosting
 SIM hosting
 Short code

Each solution may be used as shared or dedicated. Dedicated numbers are used by a single
client while shared numbers are used by several clients. Clients may choose keywords in
order to make a shared number work for them as a dedicated one. A keyword is a custom
word that clients choose to identify their campaign and inbound messages. It is the first word
that appears in the message before the blank space.

After the solution selection has been made, Infobip sets up the number and optionally a
keyword the client has requested. Messages that are sent to this number are available to be
seen on our web interface so our clients can view them at any time. We also have the
following forwarding options to choose from:

 SMPP, HTTP push or pull, Email

Incoming messages may trigger additional actions, either immediately by Infobip or on the
client side. For example, an automatic reply may be generated over the same connection via
Infobip SMS MT.

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 4
 2way SMS Service Overview

3. Virtual Long Number

This service is based on long numbers, also known as virtual mobile numbers (VMN) or long
codes, consisting of 12 digits. The number prefix depends on the Mobile Network Operator’s
range. As MNOs are our suppliers, service coverage depends on the MNO’s coverage and it is
different from operator to operator.

Long numbers can be used nationally and internationally. If used internationally, higher rates
may apply when sending SMS messages to the virtual long number. When used nationally,
the national SMS rates apply.

Country 2
MNO
T
S -M
Country 1 SM
-M
O
S
SM

Infobip
VMN
Country 3
MNO

Throughput speed (receiving SMS) is limited by the SS7 network and the signaling provider
itself but the usual reference is ~50 SMS/s.

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 5
 2way SMS Service Overview

Solution highlights:

 Easy setup
 High throughput (~50 SMS/s)
 Technology, interface and performance similar to shortcode
 Easily combined with Infobip SMS MT

Requirements:

 Network sending the SMS must be within operator roaming reach

Pros:

 High performance and throughput

Cons:

 You can only choose the number from a predefined range

 Roaming reach
 International SMS price

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 6
 2way SMS Service Overview

4. SIM Hosting

SIM Hosting is a simple and effective way of receiving messages. Clients only need to choose
a mobile number (SIM card) and send the SIM card to Infobip. The SIM card is placed in a
SIM modem and it can start receiving SMS messages.

SIM SIM
Modem Modem

HTTP
SIM SIM or
Modem Modem SMPP
Client

SIM SIM
Modem Modem

Infobip SIM
platform
Solution highlights:

 SIM card setup within Infobip SIM platform

 Throughput (~10 SMS/min)
 Available worldwide
 Easily combined with Infobip SMS MT

Requirements:

 SIM provided must be within SIM Hosting reach

 SIM must be enabled for roaming

Pros:

 Choose your own number

 Users send messages to a local number

Cons:

 Lower throughput performance

 The SIM needs to be delivered to Infobip

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 7
 2way SMS Service Overview

5. Virtual SIM Hosting

Infobip Virtual SIM Hosting is our latest solution for 2Way service. It enables a carrier grade
SMS inbound solution based on Infobip’s SS7 network with a global reach.

Virtual SIM Hosting enables you to easily set up your mobile number to be virtually available
both for national and international usage. Unlike SIM hosting, the SIM card does not need to
be delivered physically because it is virtualy hosted at Infobip’s data center based on
information extracted from the SIM. As it does not rely on any hardware it is more reliable and

superior in terms of throughput when compared to SIM hosting.

Country
MNO
SMS-MO
SMS-MT

Infobip
VSIM
Hosting

This service is most commonly used on a national level due to the fact that national SMS
rates for sending messages to those numbers are applied.

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 8
 2way SMS Service Overview

Solution highlights:

 Virtual SIM card setup in Infobip SS7 infrastructure

 High throughput (~50 SMS/s)
 Technology, interface and performance similar to shortcode
 Available worldwide
 Easily combined with Infobip SMS MT

Requirements:

 SIM provided must be within VSIM Hosting reach

 Network sending the SMS must be within VSIM Hosting reach
 SIM must be enabled for roaming

Pros:

 Choose your own number

 High performance and throughput over Infobip SS7 network
 Users send messages to a local number

Cons:

 Roaming reach

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 9
6. Short codes

Short codes are 5 or 6-digit numbers that can send and receive mobile phone SMS
messages. They are perfect for large volume messaging as they offer high throughput. With
short codes, sending and receiving messages is limited to national borders.
Infobip offers dedicated and shared short codes. Since activating a dedicated short code is
time consuming, Infobip will lease a short code on behalf of clients.

Solution highlights:

 High throughput (~30 SMS/s)

 Easily combined with Infobip SMS MT
 Possibility for premium SMS billing
 Easy to remember (important when used in marketing)

Requirements:

 Network sending the SMS must be within reach and subscribed for the short code

Pros:

 Choose your own number or use a shared one

 High performance and throughput

Cons:

 Limited to national level

 The most expensive setup compared to other solutions

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 10
 2way SMS Service Overview

7. Features

Infobip offers additional tools in the 2Way setup:

Session based conversation

There are two different ways that the 2Way messaging may be initiated:

 MT initiated – mobile subscriber responds to an outbound SMS from a client

 MO initiated - mobile subscriber initiates the process by sending their own SMS,
requesting information from the client

For MT initiated 2Way, Infobip has developed a solution that links together the messaging
conversation by generating a virtual session for MT and MO messages. The solution is similar
to the USSD service. The feature also provides the ‘no keyword’ option for the clients having
a shared number setup. MO messages are linked to the latest MT sent to mobile subscriber
so no keyword is needed for matching inbound messages to the specific client.

Automatic replies

Clients may define custom responses to inbound messages. The responses may be
optionally differentiated through the use of keywords.

In some countries there are strict regulations regarding consumer protection. Infobip takes
care of that and will by default handle inbound messages in order to abide to these
regulations. “By default” means that Infobip will handle the inbound message processing if the
client decides not to.

For example, In France Infobip will handle auto-responses to inbound messages containing
the keyword ‘STOP’ in the message text by default.

Blacklist option

Clients may choose if they want Infobip to handle blacklisting. In such a case a filter will be
added for the client’s account and the subscriber mobile number to prevent sending to the
filtered destination mobile numbers on the Infobip platform.

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 11
 2way SMS Service Overview

Forwarding options

Clients may choose among following forwarding methods for each 2way setup:

 HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol is an application protocol for distributed,

collaborative, hypermedia information systems.
 SMPP - Short Message Peer-to-Peer is an open, industry standard protocol designed
to provide a flexible data communication interface for the transfer of short message
data between External Short Messaging Entities (ESME), Routing Entities (RE) and
Message Centres.
 Email – Every message sent to a number resource will be forwarded to emails of your
choice

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 12
8. Use Cases

Financial transactions – mobile money over 2Way SMS:

3. User +4485661795,
4. ID338621, PIN 7105 ID 338621, PIN 7105

User
Infobip Transaction
2Way Server

1. ID338621, 50EUR 2. User +4485661795,

ID338621, 50EUR

 MO is sent in predefined form.

 Back office transaction is done.
 Client receives a PIN code.
 Client uses the PIN code to receive the service requested.

Mobile betting:

3. User +4485661795,
4. BetID338621, 50EUR BetID5297, 50EUR
Confirmed Confirmed
User Infobip Transaction
2Way Server

2. User +4485661795,
1. BetID5297, 50EUR
BetID5297, 50EUR

 MO is sent in predefined form.

 Client confirms the bet.
 Back office transaction is made to apply the bet.
 Client receives the confirmation.

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 13
 2way SMS Service Overview

Confirmations – Using 2Way to get confirmation from subscribers that information,

passwords etc. was received or the mobile subscriber is ready to get it.

Subscriptions – by sending an SMS message one can subscribe to an info service:

3. User +4485661795,
4. Weather Info Weather Info
User Infobip Subscription
2Way Server

2. User +4485661795,
1. SUB WEATHER
Subscribe Weather

 Subscribe/Unsubscribe to newsletters (sports, weather, news, discounts, etc.)

 Example: A popular music band prints this number on posters. All those interested in
the band can send SMS messages to the number, in order to subscribe to news and
invitations, enter free ticket contests etc.

Shopping Info - by sending a predefined MO, subscribers can check if the item they want to
buy is available, what the current price is etc.

3. User +4485661795,
4. ITEM 2941 ITEM 2941 AVAILABLE,
AVAILABLE, 3,88 EUR 3,88 EUR
User
Infobip Store Server
2Way
2. User +4485661795,
1. ITEM 2941 INFO
ITEM 2941 INFO

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 14
 2way SMS Service Overview

Data gathering - example:

3. User +4485661795,
4. Data Received Data Received

User
Infobip Database
2Way Server

2. User +4485661795,
1. Family/Health Data
Family/Health Data

 An agency started collecting and storing information sent in via mobile phones for a
project in hand. There were multiple cases of usage, mostly medical data gathering to
improve health and related subjects as well as disaster reports the help organise
appropriate subjects and lower the impact of disasters in an area. The challenge was
to collect data from the areas of underdeveloped infrastructure and/or remote areas.
Data was sent using SMS technology on a regular basis. The data was stored in the
central database, accessible to headquarters staff, where it was verified, filtered and
exported for analysis. This was much faster and cheaper than collecting and sorting
the data previously sent as paper documents.

INFOBIP LTD ©2013 INFOBIP Mobile messaging specialists / www.infobip.com

6th floor, Clinch's House, Lord Street, Douglas, Isle of Man,
IM99 1RZ
support@infobip.com
Page 15