SMS gateways are facilities of a telecommunication network that allows the sending and receiving of short messages to and from SMS supporting network.  Many SMS gateways allow media to be converted to other formats from email message form.  Through this SMS services, messages are routed and delivered into the network of the mobile phone.  Basically, there are 2 types of SMS gateways.

SMS gateways are facilities of a telecommunication network that allows the sending and receiving of short messages to and from SMS supporting network.  Many SMS gateways allow media to be converted to other formats from email message form.  Through this SMS services, messages are routed and delivered into the network of the mobile phone.  Basically, there are 2 types of SMS gateways.

SMS Aggregator –  is the gateway that most SMS services providers commonly use. The aggregators have access only up to the SBS center and not beyond, so they can’t deliver the message to the mobile network.  Delivery of messages on their own cannot be assured, besides the fact that they are most of the time limited by national boundary restrictions.  When your message has reached the SMS center, delivery will now depend upon the network service provided.

Generally, this type of SMS gateway will cost you less than when you send messages to multiple recipients from your mobile device.  Its reliability depends on whether your network delivery service is reliable or not.  This SMS services requires only minimal infrastructure, and it is tailored to suit customer requirements.  However, on the back side, and as mentioned above, message delivery is not guaranteed so there’s risk that a message that is very important may not be delivered.

SS7 Providers  – This is the SMS gateway that provides the service that the Aggregator cannot.  But the mobile number to which the message is to be sent must be valid and not out of service.  Compared with SMS Aggregator, the SS7 providers need a lot more infrastructure, because it is more complex.  To install this service there’s a need for dedicated machines, to allow them to have full control over the routing of messages up to its delivery to the intended recipient.  The SMS services are ideal for advertisement companies, and those that offer personalized mobile services.  This is also great for awareness agencies and other business ventures.

So how are these gateways used?  For one, insurance companies and banks use this to provide alerts and advice to their subscribers.  Advertising agencies use this type of service to send regional local offers and advertisements to maximize turnouts.  Businesses send out notifications to the shareholders to announce floating of new shares. There are many industries using the gateways and services, even the governments of various countries have started to use SMS services in spreading public awareness about different activities.

While this technology may cause nuisance to some people, disturbing them at the wrong hours, SMS that are computer-based has become more popular.  These have made an impact on our society.  France, Germany and England and the other Asian countries have been noted to be receptive to the SMS advertising and messages.  After SMS service has been introduced in 1992, it has become a hit, and it will continue to deliver messages and advertising information even in the 160 characters allowed.  Of course, this will be till the time when other innovations make things more simplified.
Learn more about SMS services http://www.directsms.com.au/services  and  SMS gateway http://www.directsms.com.au/sms-gateway  by clicking on the links.