Mobile Operators | Traffic Control
Traffic Control is a multi-protocol message router which acts as a central hub for all SMS, MMS and IMS messaging traffic
in a telecom network. Traffic Control can be used by network operators to maximise profits and revenues derived from messaging
services.
Traffic Control can route traffic directly to recipients, bypassing legacy SMSC systems in the process. This allows the network to handle higher
traffic volumes at lower cost. Unlike other routing products available in the market, Traffic Control also supports MMS and IMS message routing,
and can trigger new services hosted on an optional Profile module that are based on the personal preferences of the originator or recipient. In
addition, Operators gain from the security and anti-spam features provided by the Protect module. Finally, our customers can take advantage of
the Adapt open API to design and build unique services tailored for their own subscribers.
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Features
Message Routing
Traffic Control is primarily a message router, i.e. it is responsible for delivering the message safely to its destination and in comparison with an SMSC it can do this
extremely efficiently. A message can be routed directly to a recipient without first being stored in a large message database. It does this by exploiting that fact that
around 80% of SMS traffic can now be delivered directly to its destination on the first delivery attempt. This means that operators can handle increased amounts of messaging
traffic while reducing hardware investments in processing power and storage.
Further, in comparison with other message routers in the market, Traffic Control can combine basic on-board routing logic with call outs to supplementary applications and services
that can make more sophisticated message routing and handling decisions based on personalised preferences, operator policies, presence information and other variables. This allows
operators to build new revenue streams by deploying innovative services as well as preventing revenue leakage caused by fraud and spam.
Application Triggering
Traffic Control performs routing and application triggering for SMS, MMS and IMS. As far as the routing and application logic is concerned, a message is a message, and all types will
be handled generically. For example, a message received as an SMS can be sent on to its destination as an IMS or an MMS as appropriate. Operators can use the system to start migrating
subscriber usage from SMS to MMS and IMS in order to gain advantage of cost efficiencies or revenue generation opportunities.
Routing logic and application triggering is implemented by Traffic Control inline with the operator’s, originator’s and recipient’s preferences.
Message Store
If a message cannot be immediately delivered to its intended destination, Traffic Control provides an onboard message store used to securely hold the message until a delivery route becomes
available. Messages held for delivery can be retried in accordance with configurable algorithms.
By using Traffic Control’s onboard storage, operators can effectively eliminate the need for their legacy SMSC servers. This would allow them to halt CAPEX spending on these obsolete platforms,
and eliminate ongoing OPEX payments to their SMSC provider. Traffic Control’s message store does not rely on expensive third party database software, thus providing additional savings for the
operator. This is achieved without any degradation in the integrity of the message storage function. Copies of all messages are stored in at least 2 locations, and a message can be retried and
delivered even in the case of a failure of the process or hardware node that handled the original storage.
Billing
As Traffic Control is the primary routing and message delivery node in the network it is a key source of charging information used to bill prepaid and postpaid subscribers for their usage of
messaging services.
Postpaid subscribers can be billed using generated CDRs. Traffic Control generates a CDR for every message handled by the system. CDRs record message submission and delivery details, and also
record any supplementary service triggered on behalf of a message via Adapt, Profile or Protect.
Prepaid Charging
Traffic Control supports real-time, in-line charging for prepaid subscribers or convergent billing models. Operators can thus maintain credit control across their subscriber base. As the system
supports the standard DIAMETER, INAP and PSA prepaid charging protocols, it can be readily integrated with most prepaid platforms used by mobile network operators.
Operations
Traffic Control provides a web based GUI to allow operations staff to easily administer and maintain the platform. Role based authentication is used to ensure that only authorised personnel have
access to sensitive information.
Administration
Traffic Control is designed to allow full details of system behaviour, problems, performance and traffic handling to be exposed to higher order network management systems and monitoring platforms.
An SNMP agent is provided to enable easy integration with standard management tools.
Maintenance
Detailed event, audit, and traffic logs are maintained by the platform as CSV files. These files can be copied to external monitoring systems to allow detailed analysis of system behaviour.
The GUI is fully localisable and can be provided to support languages other than English.
Benefits
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Reduce Costs and Add Capacity
Phase out old messaging systems by replacing them with a new architecture which delivers real savings on capital and operational expenditure.
Traffic Control provides capacity on demand for all messaging services.
Operators will reduce their overall Capex and Opex spending in messaging systems with Traffic Control as they need fewer hardware platforms to carry
SMS/MMS traffic compared to legacy architectures.
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Revenue Generation
Traffic Control provides a suite of off the shelf applications which enable efficient and seamless deployment of simple value added services with low risk proven business cases.
Services enabled by Traffic Control are more sophisticated than traditional SMSC’s as they allow individual subscribers to design the profile of their own messaging services.
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Revenue Protection
Traffic Control implements the full range of GSMA approved filtering including spam, spoofing, flooding and faking to remove undesirable traffic from fraudsters and spammers, ensuring traffic carried can
be charged; internal operations’ resources and cost is not unnecessarily wasted; and subscribers are unaffected.
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New Profitable Services
Traffic Control provides an open API (compliant with J2EE, JEE5 and IBM’s WebSphere) for easy development of new services with third parties to deliver consumers a much more personalised
content experience. Operators have the ability to reduce churn and increase revenues with new custom applications built at internet speeds.
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Value for Money
Operators can continue to sweat their existing messaging resources whilst ensuring that all further investment in their network is future proof and can take advantage of new technologies and services such as IMS and Mobile IM.