NO319226B1 - Routes for handling text messages - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to mobile communication, more specifically distributed routing of text messages (SMS) in mobile communication networks.

The background of the invention

Typically, all mobile-originated text messages (SMS) in a mobile network are sent to a text message center (SMS-SC) for processing and forwarding to the destination address (E3). In what follows, the term text messages shall be understood as SMS, i.e. text messages that satisfy this specific format, among other things by the fact that the signaling network is used as the carrier for these text messages. All subscribers to a mobile operator must have stored the telephone number of the operator's text message center in the mobile phone (MS) in order to be able to send and receive text messages. In the following, mobile phone shall mean a mobile station (MS) comprising a mobile terminal (MT) and a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)

For reasons of efficient handling of text messages and reduction of hardware and maintenance needs for the individual operators, it would be an advantage if mobile networks in different countries could share the same text message centre, i.e. give the operators the opportunity to "outsource" the handling of text messages to operators in other countries, or collect all text message handling in one place with an operator with mobile networks in several countries. Today, however, this is problematic because in order to use a text message center in another country, the subscriber must enter a foreign prefix and country code even if the destination of the text message is a subscriber belonging to the same network or a network in the same country as the sender. At the same time, it is important to be able to use standard message centers for reasons of compatibility with today's equipment, and because possibly adapted centers that solve this problem will probably be scarce because it will lead to lower volume sales of such.

There are known solutions that seek to remedy some of the above problems. From GB 2351880 a solution is known for terminating text messages between networks that do not have roaming agreements. It refers to the three addresses in the "routing envelope" of a text message, El - sender address (Calling Mobile), E2 - text message center address {SMSC address, short message service center) and E3 - recipient address (Cal-led Mobile). One of the central points of this is to modify E2, i.e. the address of the text message centre. However, this solution does not solve the problem of being able to use recipient addresses (E3) in national format from an operator in a different country than the one that the text message center already primarily serves.

The company LogicaCMG (www.logica.com) can offer gateways (telecom routes between different systems) that make the routing of text messages and mobile traffic easier for mobile users of different networks. Logica's interworking gateway is used to be able to reach services associated with a text message center in a country by using the operator's own text message center. A text message center is normally blocked for mobile-originated text messages from other than its own subscribers, but it can terminate text messages to all operators with which roaming agreements have been concluded. Logica's Gateway simulates a mobile station that receives messages so that the sender sends a message to a fictitious foreign mobile station. The message will, however, be routed to the Logi-ca Gateway, which forwards the message to the relevant tj sole server.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention seeks to remedy the aforementioned problems associated with today's known solutions, as it introduces a method for distributed handling of address information in mobile-originated text messages of the SMS type from a first mobile phone operator, MNO, in a text message center (SMS-SC) belonging to a second mobile phone operator characterized by comprising in the following order the steps: a) the mobile-originated text message, using a first address to the first operator, will be sent to the first operator, the first operator will map this address to a router address of a second operator resident in a second mobile phone operator's network, the first operator adds address information to the text messages so that the second operator can identify where the messages come from, then the text messages are sent from the first operator to a router of the second operator, a) mentioned routers will modify the recipient address, E3, from national t format to international format, a) to convey mobile-originated text messages from said routes to a virtual text message center, a) to prevent mobile-originated text messages from unauthorized mobile phones from reaching said routes or

said virtual text message center by analyzing the sender address for said text messages, alternatively analyzing network addresses in lower protocol layers for text messages.

Furthermore, the present invention introduces a router for the transmission of mobile-originated text messages of the SMS type from a first mobile phone operator, MNO, to a virtual text message center for the first mobile phone operator belonging to a second mobile phone operator, where the mobile-originated text message, using a first address of the first operator, will be sent the first operator, the first operator will map this address to a router address of a second operator resident in a second mobile phone operator's network, the first operator adds address information to the text messages so that the second operator can identify where the messages are coming from , then the text messages from the first operator are sent to a router at the second operator, characterized by said router being configured according to the following rules: a) the router is given a unique network address, PC/GT for the hosting service, b) for each mobile-originated text message sent to said router should it be verified see if the text message arrives

from the first mobile phone operator

c) the router must analyze the recipient address,

d) all text messages that do not come from an approved operator must be rejected by the router, e) a positive response from the RP layer or a negative response from the RP layer sent from the text message center to the mobile phone must be sent transparently through the router.

Other advantageous features of the present invention will emerge from the independent claims and from the following description.

The aforementioned signaling router (SR) which is connected to the signaling network of the operator with whom text message handling is to be centralized (hereafter called the host operator (HMNO)) modifies the content of the text messages and routes the signaling traffic that carries text messages. This router as well as the text message center and signaling network/switches in both the host operator's network and the mobile networks that are to use the text message center in the host network (hereinafter referred to as the outsourced operator (OMNO/OMVNO)) must be pre-configured in a specific way to achieve the desired functionality.

According to the invention, the outsourcing operator defines a virtual address within its numbering plan as a logical message center address. The associated subscribers must save this address as the message center number in their mobile phones. This address is mapped to the address of the router in the host operator network so that all outgoing text messages are sent to the router. The outsourcing operator adds address information to the text messages so that the host operator can identify where the messages come from. When the text messages reach the router, the destination address is analyzed. If the address is a number with an international prefix belonging to the host operator's network, the message is sent directly to the host operator's text message centre. If the address is a number with a national format within the number range assigned to mobile phones in the outsourcing operator's country, the router changes the number to an international format, with the country code of the outsourcing operator. The text message center will thus receive messages from the router with destination addresses in an international format, and handle them accordingly. Subscribers in the outsourcing mobile network who send text messages to each other will not notice that the messages are sent via a foreign network, as they can use national telephone numbers.

With this solution, an operator with sufficient capacity for text message production/processing will be able to service text message production and processing for other operators, thereby excess production capacity for the host operator will be utilized, and investments will be saved for the outsourcing operator. The solution will have application for regular production as indicated above, but it will also be able to provide increased security, as an operator can choose to have another operator or an SMS-SC in another network as a back-up solution in case problems should arise with one's own text message center.

Brief description of the drawings

The attached drawings which are included in and form part of the specification illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 shows the flow for a mobile-originated text message from a mobile phone with an outsourcing operator until the text message reaches a text message center with a host operator.

Detailed description of the invention

In what follows, a detailed description of the invention will be given. The text message is composed of a routing envelope as well as a content field. The "Routing envelope" has three address fields: 1. The sender address, which is an MSISDN for the mobile-originated text message 2. The text message center address, which is the GT (Global Title) for the text message center. 3. Recipient address, which is the address for the receiving SME, which normally means the receiving mobile phone.

The invention, which should be applicable in all mobile networks that support text messages, is based on already available network components, which must be configured according to the invention to cooperate in a special way.

There are two main operations that must be carried out on the way between the mobile phone (MS) and the text message center to implement this: 1. Modification of the E.164 recipient address for mobile-originated text messages from national format to international format. 2. Protect the "line" between the mobile phone and the text message center against the intrusion of mobile-originated text messages to the host operator from unauthorized mobile phones.

These operations are mainly performed by analyzing and/or modifying the three aforementioned address fields for text messages for different network components.

A text message between two mobile phones is submitted to the text message center from a sending mobile phone as a mobile-originated text message, with the text message center as a B number. The text message center modifies the text message into a mobile-terminated text message, with the recipient's address as the B number. The exit exchange analyzes the A number, that is the number of the calling subscriber, to route the call to the B number before it is sent to the receiving mobile phone. In order for these operations to be carried out,

the following steps in the outsourcing operator's network as well as in the host operator's network had to be followed:

1. The outsourcing operator must define a GT within the E.164 numbering plan as a logical text message center address. The subscribers of the outsourcing operator must save this address as their text message center address in their mobile phone in order to be able to send mobile-originated text messages via the host operator's text message center. 2. In the outsourcing operator's network, the aforementioned text message center address will be mapped to the address of the signaling router and will be sent to this. By performing this mapping, all mobile-originated text messages from the outsourcing operator's subscription pool will be routed via the outsourcing operator. This will also be the case for mobile-originated text messages from subscribers who are roaming. 3. The outsourcing operator will enter address information into mobile phones which enables the outsourcing operator to identify the outsourcing operator's network as the individual mobile subscriber's home network. This will have application for filtering statistics and for invoicing data. 4. When the text messages reach the signaling router, this will filter out all text messages that do not come from the outsourcing operator's subscribers. Other nodes in the signaling network (SS7) of the host operator or outsourcing operator can alternatively perform this filtering. 5. The signaling router must parse the destination address. If the address is of B.164 number format with the international prefix of the host operator, the text message will be forwarded to the service center address for the text message center used by the host operator. If the address is an E.164 address in national format and within the number range allocated for mobile phones in the outsourcing operator's home country, the signaling router will modify the number to international format, with the country code for the outsourcing operator added. 6. If the destination address is not an E-164 number, but a number that defines a special service or application, this will be handled by specially defined and dedicated rules. 7. The text message center will receive mobile-originated text messages from the outsourcing operator via the signaling router with E.164 destination addresses on inter-

national format, and handle them accordingly.

Network configurations

Outsourcing network operator's network configurations: 1) Outsourcing network operator must define an address within its E.164 numbering plan for the outsourced text message center service. This address will have to be used as the text message center address by the mobile phones that wish to use this service. This means that all mobile-originated text messages to the outsourced text message center will go via the outsourcing operator's network. 2) The outsourcing operator must block mobile-originated text messages to the outsourced text message center from subscribers who are not authorized to use this service, which usually means subscribers from other network operators. Alternatively, this blocking can be done elsewhere within the outsourcing operator's network before the text message will normally be routed to the outsourced text message centre. 3) The outsourcing operator's network must map the local addresses for the text message center to the address for the signaling router at the host operator and send the mobile-originated text message to this address.

Host operator network features:

The text message center:

1) A dedicated virtual text message center must be configured for the outsourcing operator at the text message center, with a unique network address. 2) The virtual text message center should only be in

capable of receiving mobile-originated text messages from the signaling router. The text message center or SS7 network nodes associated with the text message center and the signaling router must block mobile-originated text messages to the virtual text message center originating at other destinations.

3) The virtual text message center needs to be configured

so that it is adapted to the needs of the outsourcing operator, for example with regard to available services at the outsourcing operator.

4) The text message center can generate CDRs, for everyone

text messages handled by the virtual text message center. Alternatively, the CDR can be generated at other network nodes in the path of the text message.

Mobile exchange - MX {mobile Exchange) network configuration: 1) The MX or SS7 signaling control points involved in the communication between the outsourcing operator and the text message center shall: a) a.Identify the unique network address of the signaling router for example by PC (Point code) or

at GT.

b) Block mobile-originated text messages to the virtual text message center from other than the signaling router. Alternatively, this filtering can be handled by the text message center. 2) The signaling router shall only be allowed to receive mobile-originated text messages from the transit center (MX) of the outsourcing operator. The signaling router can alternatively handle this filtering. 3) There shall be no error checking of the text message number in relation to number portability for this specific virtual text message centre.

Signaling routes - SR

1) The signaling router must be given a unique network address (PC/GT) for the hosting service. 2) Only mobile-originated text messages need to pass the signaling router. Mobile terminated text messages will be delivered directly to the outsourcing operator from the text message center. 3) For each mobile-originated text message sent to the signaling router, it must be checked whether the text message comes from the outsourcing operator. This can be handled either by the SS7 network node or by the signaling router, alternatively a combination of the signaling router and the SS7 network node. 4) The signaling router must analyze the recipient address and, if necessary, modify this as follows: a) If the number type (TON) for the recipient address for a text message is set to "international" number type, i.e. the number starts with "+", then the text message must be forwarded transparently transparently forwarded) to the correct virtual text message center. b) If the number type for the recipient address for the text message is set to "national" number type and the number starts with the international prefix for the host operator, then the text message must be forwarded to the correct virtual text message centre. c) If the number type of the recipient address for the text message is set to "national" and the number starts with the international prefix of the outsourcing operator, and if this prefix is different from the international prefix of the host operator, then the number type (TON) must be set to "international" and the specific prefix of the outsourcing operator must be removed before the text message is forwarded to the appropriate virtual text processing center. d) If the recipient address is a local number within the number series and number range that is appropriated for mobile phones in the outsourcing operator's country, normally 8 or 9 digits, the address must be converted to international format by setting the number type to "international" and adding the country code for the outsourcing operator -rater before the text message is forwarded to the right virtual text message center. e) Areas of recipient addresses or individual addresses may be defined at the signaling router, where text messages are to be forwarded without any modifications. These can be bulk user numbers, such as 4- or 5-digit numbers, or other number ranges that have special use for the virtual text message center. f) The signaling router can map simple recipient addresses or address ranges before forwarding the text message to the text message center. For example, a large account short number can be mapped to a local number at the virtual text message center as a result of conflicts between number plans in the home countries of the host operator and the outsourcing operator. 5) All text messages that do not satisfy the above rules must be discarded and a negative response to the request (NAK) must be given at RP level by the signaling router. 6) RP ACK, i.e. a positive response from the RP layer, and an RP-NAK, i.e. a negative response from the RP layer sent from the Text Message Center to the mobile phone must be sent transparently through the signaling router.

The aforementioned advantageous embodiments will emerge from the independent claims.

Symbol and word explanations

Claims (1)

1. Procedure for distributed handling of address information in mobile-originated text messages of the SMS type from a first mobile phone operator, MNO, in a text message center (SMS-SC) belonging to a second mobile phone operator, characterized by comprising in the following order the steps: a) the mobile-originated text message will, using a first address of the first operator, be sent to the first operator, the first operator will map this address to a router address of a second operator resident in a second mobile phone operator's network, the first operator adds address information to the text messages as follows that the second operator can identify where the messages come from, then the text messages from the first operator are sent to a router at the second operator, b) said router will modify the recipient address, E3, from national format to international format, c) to convey mobile-originated text messages from said route to a virtual text message center , d) to prevent mobile-originated text messages from unauthorized mobile phones from reaching said routes or said virtual text message center by analyzing the sender address of said text messages, alternatively analyzing network addresses in lower protocol layers for text messages. 2. Procedure according to claim 1 characterized in that the modified recipient address in point b) is changed so that the text message center can deliver mobile-terminated, SM-MT text messages to the first mobile phone operator's home country. 3. Procedure according to requirement 1 characterized in that conveying mobile-originated text messages as mentioned in point c) can be carried out by mapping the text message center from the router address to the virtual text message center's address. 4. Procedure according to claim 1 characterized by further including the features: e) if the international prefix for the first mobile phone operator's country of origin differs from the international prefix of the second mobile phone operator's country of origin, recipient addresses that have a prefix corresponding to that of the first mobile phone operator shall receive this the prefix changed to an international format corresponding to that of the other mobile phone operator, f) the aforementioned router will forward mobile-originated text messages that have recipient addresses that correspond to the other mobile phone operator's international address format without changing the recipient address, g) the router will identify mobile-originated text messages with recipient addresses that are not in the E.164 address format. 6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said router is a signaling router (SR) connected to an SS7 signaling network. 7. Routes for the transmission of mobile-originated text messages of the SMS type from a first mobile phone operator, MNO, to a virtual text message center for the first mobile phone operator belonging to a second mobile phone operator where the mobile-originated text message, using a first address of the first operator, will be sent the first operator, the first operator will map this address to a router address of a second operator home-related in a second mobile phone operator's network, the first operator adds address information to the text messages so that the second operator can identify where the messages are coming from, then sent the text messages from the first operator to a router at the second operator, characterized by said router being configured according to the following rules: a) the router is given a unique network address, PC/GT for the hosting service, b) for each mobile-originated text message sent to said router, it must be verified if the text message comes from the former te mobile phone operator c) the router must analyze the recipient address, d) all text messages that do not come from an approved operator must be rejected by the router, e) a positive response from the RP layer or a negative response from the RP layer sent from the text message center to the mobile phone must be sent transparently through the router. 8. Routes according to requirement 6, characterized in that if analysis of the aforementioned recipient address shows that the destination address is of E.164 format with the international prefix of the other operator, the text message will be forwarded to the text message center belonging to the other operator. 9. Routes according to requirement 6, characterized in that if analysis of the aforementioned recipient address shows that the destination address is an E.164 address in national format and within the number range allocated for mobile phones in the first operator's home country, the router at the second operator will modify the number to international format with the country code for the first operator added. 10. Routes according to requirement 6 characterized in that said point d) further includes any of the following features for modifying the text message address: a) if the number type (TON) for the recipient address for a mobile-originated text message is set to "international" number type, then said text message must be forwarded transparently forwarded) to the virtual text message center, b) if the number type for the recipient address for the mobile-originated text message is set to "national" number type and the number starts with the international prefix for the other mobile phone operator, then the text message must be forwarded to the virtual text message center, c) if the number type for the recipient address for the mobile-originated text message is set to "national" and the number starts with the international prefix of the first mobile phone operator, and if this prefix is different from the international prefix of the second mobile phone operator, then the number type (TON) must be set to "in international" and the specific prefix of the first mobile phone operator must be removed before the text message is forwarded to the virtual text processing center, d) if the recipient address is a local number within the number series and number range appropriated for mobile phones in the first mobile phone operator's country of origin, the address must be converted to international format by setting the number type to "international" and adding the country code of the first mobile phone operator before the text message is forwarded to the virtual text processing centre, e) if the recipient address corresponds to defined ranges of recipient addresses or individual addresses at the router, text messages can be forwarded without any modifications, the router can map individual recipient addresses or address ranges before forwarding mobile-originated text messages to the text message centre.