Building Mobile Messaging Applications with SMSMobile Phone FactsThe Short Message ServiceSMSSMSCCSCMessage AggregatorsEmail-to-SMS GatewaysSMS System ArchitectureSMS StatisticsFaculty Start-Up CompanyMobile Education, LLCUNCW Applications (Fall 2007)UNCW Applications (Fall 2008)QuestionsContact InformationCopyright 2008Building Mobile Messaging Applications with SMSDr. Ron Vetter, PhDDepartment of Computer ScienceUNC WilmingtonMobile Phone FactsIn 1995, roughly 13 percent of the U.S. population had cell phones. By 2008, it was 87 percent.Today, there are approximately 229 million cellular subscribers in the U.S.Wireless services generate more than $113 billion in revenues annually. Source: http://www.ctia.org/media/industry_info/index.cfm/AID/10323The Short Message ServiceDefined in 1985Purpose to allow simple communication between mobile devicesFirst SMS message sent early 90’sFastest form of communication when counterpart not able to take a callFew seconds slower than direct voice callFaster by hours or days when compared to other forms of communicationSource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_message_serviceSMSSMS is a service available on most digital mobile phones Message size160 – 7 bit characters140 – 8 bit characters70 – 16 bit charactersNo formatting – just straight textCan be used with automated systems, such as ordering products and services, or participating in contests.SMSCWhen a user sends a text message to another user, the phone actually sends the message to the SMSC. The SMSC stores the message and then delivers it to the destination user when they are available. This is a store and forward operation. The SMSC usually has a configurable time limit for how long it will store the message, and users can usually specify a shorter time limit if they want.CSCCommon short codes are numbers to which text messages can be sent from a mobile phone. Wireless subscribers send text messages to short codes with relevant keywords to access a wide variety of mobile content. CSCs are compatible across participating carriers and are currently defined as 5 or 6 digit numbers. Interactive SMS requires a CSCMessage AggregatorsMaintains connections with carriers’ SMSCs using Short Message Peer-to-Peer Protocol (SMPP)Provide API for mobile content service providers to connect to their serversProvision CSC with cell phone carriers (provisioning takes approximately 3 months)Email-to-SMS GatewaysCarriers provide a mechanism to turn an email into an SMS message, called an Email-to-SMS GatewayThey are one-way → the recipient cannot reply to the messageCarriers filter for spam and may block access to the gatewayCarriers provide this service as a courtesy and may discontinue the service at any timeSMS System ArchitectureMobile User Service ProvidersSMSCSMSCSMSCSMS BrokerSMPPSS7SS7Content ProviderAggregatorSMPPSMPPSMSSMSSMSAPIContent Server &SoftwareAppsSMS StatisticsIn 2000 – 14.4 million text messages/month. In 2006 – 18.7 billion text messages/month.In 2008 – 30 billion text messages/monthAverage cost of a text message = $0.20According to figures from CTIA, the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry.Faculty Start-Up CompanyFocus on the commercial development of advanced mobile computing applications originating from UNCW.Emphasis on interactive 2-way SMS interfaces to applicationsExplore use of WAP Push to lead users toward WAP interfacesMobile Education, LLCA faculty start-up company providing mobile message content servicesWorking with an SMS aggregator to provision a common short code (90947)Will share the common short code across multiple institutions in order to reduce costsInitial focus will be on the higher education marketUNCW Applications (Fall 2007)1. Subscribe to receive daily campus events2. Emergency broadcast messages3. Interactive shuttle bus information4. Integration with Banner – request grade information and notification when a seat becomes available5. Interactive movie scheduleUNCW Applications (Fall 2008)1. Outlook Mobile Services – http://oms.uncw.edu UNCW FINAID Application is based on OMS2. Coupons – http://CouponsToYourPhone.com 3. Dub Hunt – http://DubHunt.com UNCW was 1st runner-up in the 2008 AT&T Mobile Campus Challengehttp://higheredcontest.wireless.att.comQuestionsContact InformationMobile Education LLCRon Vetter – [email protected] Brown – [email protected] site: http://myMobEd.comUNCW Text Message Services Web site: