Smart Messaging
Kevin Curran, Computer Lecturer - Magee College
Messaging in Cellular Networks
The emphasis in cellular networks is changing from voice-only communication to a rich combination
of voice and messaging. Where voice communication once was accompanied only by circuit-switched
data services, now various kind of (narrowband) packet-switched communication means exist. As the
emphasis is moving in the direction of messaging, it is clear that close interaction is required
between handset vendors, infrastructure vendors, and operators. The quality of service the users
receive depends crucially on how successful this interaction is.
In order to efficiently utilize the messaging capabilities of networks, such as, GSM900/1800/1900 and TDMA,
an open platform is required which enables support for today's communication needs, as well as
those that are still emerging. Today a set of tools and interfaces are needed to bring to the users
the solutions they require and tomorrow, as requirements evolve, the tools and interfaces must be
able to grow as well.
Smart Messaging - An Open Standard Messaging Concept by Nokia
Nokia was the first to introduce an open standard messaging concept called Smart Messaging at CeBit
'97. Smart Messaging allows Internet information to be delivered to any GSM phone that supports
short messages. Smart Messaging utilizes the Artus Messaging Platform that retrieves Internet
information in HTML format and converts it to a short message via TTML. TTML, a subset of HTML,
is Nokia's protocol for presenting information accessed from the Internet on GSM phones. Since
Internet content retrieval is done in HTML content providers do not need to make changes to Web
servers. Developers gain unified access to the entire global user community, by wireless telephony also.
Smart Messaging uses the Narrowband Sockets protocol,
developed jointly by Intel and Nokia. It does for wireless phones what the Windows sockets stack
does for Microsoft's operating system: i.e. it provides a standard means of connecting to the Internet.
Download a smart messaging platform and attempt to follow the guides that come with it. Get it working,
build the 'hello world' samples, discover basically what it can do, develop a test application and then come to see me or email me and we'll discuss an exact topic for your project.