This publication provides the reader an excellent overview of the current state of mobile messaging from a business perspective including challenges, opportunities and trends such as message volume and revenue. Coverage includes MMS challenges for mobile operators such as content adaptation, bulk messaging, handset configuration, and WAP push. Emerging market opportunities including mobile marketing and unified messaging (UM) are also evaluated. Select vendors and service providers in the space are classified by category including Equipment Vendor Providers, Independent Solution Vendors (ISV), Systems Integrators and Consultants with reference examples for each category. Some content based applications are referenced including SMS, MMS, and IVR based applications and content.

This publication also provides the reader with an understanding of both basic and more advanced technical details of mobile messaging functionality. Coverage includes basic messaging architecture, protocols, addressing, routing, message flows, billing, and functionality including Short Message Service (SMS), Enhanced Message Service (EMS), and Multimedia Message Service (MMS). More advanced topics are also addressed including SMS spoofing, Digital Rights Management (DRM), Unified Messaging (UM), and MMS interoperability. The publication also compares and contrasts SMS vs. MMS vs. e-mail are MMS vs. Instant Messaging (IM).

Key Questions Answered

Business aspects of messaging
Uses and benefits of SMS including everyday application usage
MMS business challenges
Companies offering VAS solution
Existing VAS applications and billing integration
Emerging applications such as mobile marketing and unified messaging
Selection criteria for MMS selection in network
Content based applications and integration
Comparison between SMS, MMS, and e-mail
Comparison between MMS and IM
Technical overview of SMS including:
Architecture
Protocols
Billing
Addressing, routing and message flows in GSM and CDMA networks
Message security
SMSC failure conditions
SMS spoofing
Technical overview of MMS including:
MMS reference architecture
Application Layer: MIME, xhtml, and SOAP
Interface evaluation: MM1, MM4, MM7, and MM8
MMS Gateway evaluation
Selection criteria for MMSC
MMS interoperability

Target Audience

Mobile VAS Equipment Vendors, Independent Solution Providers, System Integrators and related professional services companies
Personnel responsible for mobile messaging, Value-added Services (VAS), Sales and Marketing and personnel responsible for growth of ARPU
Providers of VAS applications such as televoting and mass calling events
Technical target audience comprises system architects, technical consultants, and industry analysts