The move towards 5G is a pivotal moment in the provision of mobile communications.
It’s set to unlock a vast array of data services, improving access to vital services, education, healthcare and entertainment. While the potential for new 5G supported services is huge, the vital role of legacy services such as SMS cannot be overlooked.
It might be believed that SMS services have been superseded by other messaging services such as WhatsApp and social media, the truth is quite different. SMS dominates the messaging marketplace and continues to grow.
SMS remains the only guaranteed way to be able to contact any of the 5 billion people across the globe who have access to a mobile device. What’s more, the Internet of Things is making new use of SMS, with increasing numbers of IoT devices being operated via SMS.
Rather than shrinking in relevance, SMS is becoming even more important.
SMS and the Shift to 5G
The 3GPP standards documents for 5G Networks provide for the continued support of SMS services with a special node called the SMS Function (SMSF). This enables activation of the service and delivery of SMS in the 5G core, in a seamless and trouble-free way.
Operators who plan, at least initially, to provide a hybrid 3G/4G/5G service will be able to continue to support SMS legacy technology.
If you’re moving towards a purely 5G network, or you have network slices that are dedicated to particular customers, then SMSF will need to be in place from day one.
The Enghouse Network SMSF Solution
SMSF from Enghouse Networks provides a comprehensive and flexible solution for our customers enabling them to ensure the continuity of their SMS services as they transition to a 5G future.
SMSF sends and receives SMS to the 5G AMF via the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) and exchanges SMS with legacy SMS servers (SMSC, SM Router, IP-SM-GW) via MAP/SS7 or Diameter SGd interfaces.
It also connects to the UDM via a service-based interface to provision and activate SMS MO/MT services for 5G subscribers.
If an operator then decides to no longer use MAP/SS7 in their network, they can continue to use the Enghouse SMSC to send SMS to 3G, 4G (LTE), IMS and 5G networks.
We outline the capabilities of our SMSF solution in more detail in our product overview.
You can download it here: SMSF for 5G Networks
