Tata extends and simplifies SMS interconnect for MNOs, OTTs

• Mutually favourable and profitable solution for all stakeholders in the value chain
• Also help MNOs protect their network and subscribers from spam and fraud

TATA Communications has launched its Mobile Messaging Exchange service, which it claimed would enable Over-The-Top (OTT) providers and SMS aggregators to connect to a large community of MNOs (mobile network operators) globally, while allowing MNOs to monetise the SMS traffic with an added layer of security.
 
This service provides a mutually favourable and profitable solution for all the stakeholders in the value chain, Tata Communications said in a statement.
 
SMS traffic continues to grow globally, and it is predicted to total 9.4 trillion messages in 2016. Application-to-person (A2P) SMS constitutes an increasingly important proportion of this traffic, the company said.
 
Similarly, it is estimated that the global A2P SMS market will grow five-fold in the next five years, overtaking person-to-person (P2P) SMS, reaching US$76 billion by 2016.
 
However, an increase in A2P SMS brings with it inherent security issues; an indicator is the number of SMS spam campaigns quadrupled in the first half of 2012 and the overall rate of receipt grew by 300% from 2011 to 2012, according to the GSM Association.
 
Tata Communications said its new Mobile Messaging Exchange stands to create an effective ecosystem built on efficiency, trust and transparency. It will not only bridge the user communities served by the OTT and SMS aggregators, which want to reach more mobile subscribers, but also MNOs, which want to monetise this traffic.
 
This secure and stable service will help MNOs protect their network and subscribers from spam and fraud resulting from unauthorised A2P SMS, the company claimed.
 
“We see an emerging market need in the evolving SMS ecosystem,” said Jeff Bak, vice president of mobility solutions at Tata Communications.
 
“OTTs and SMS aggregators seek a simplified means to reliably deliver SMS to global mobile users, while MNOs want to monetise A2P SMS without compromising subscriber security and satisfaction.
 
“Seamlessly connecting communication service islands is a core mission for Tata Communications. Leveraging our expertise from building market leading global voice, mobile signalling and IP communities, Mobile Messaging Exchange uniquely addresses this need in the SMS market, taking advantage of Tata Communications’ global network infrastructure and extensive MNO relationships worldwide,” he said.
 
The Mobile Messaging Exchange also includes Tata Communications’ Managed SMS Firewall, which identifies and captures spam and fraudulent messages.
 
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