The SS7 (Signaling System No. 7) protocol is used not only for voice communication but also for messaging services, including SMS (Short Message Service). SMS messages are typically transmitted using the SMS Gateway MSC (Message Service Center) and rely on the SS7 protocol for message delivery.
The SS7 protocol is used to establish a signaling connection between the SMS gateway and the recipient’s mobile network. When an SMS message is sent, it is first delivered to the SMS gateway, which then sends a signaling message over the SS7 network to the recipient’s home network. The signaling message contains the necessary information to route the SMS message to the recipient’s mobile device, including the recipient’s mobile number and location information.
Once the signaling message is received by the recipient’s home network, it is routed to the appropriate MSC, which then sends the SMS message to the recipient’s mobile device. The SS7 protocol is used throughout this process to ensure the reliable and efficient delivery of the SMS message.
The SS7 protocol also provides additional functionality for SMS messaging, such as delivery reports and message routing. Delivery reports are used to indicate whether an SMS message has been successfully delivered to the recipient’s mobile device. Message routing enables the SMS gateway to determine the most efficient route for delivering the SMS message to the recipient’s mobile device, taking into account factors such as network congestion and the recipient’s location.
Overall, the SS7 protocol plays a critical role in the delivery of SMS messages, providing reliable and efficient signaling for message delivery and additional functionality for message reporting and routing.
