Value added services are those add on features that gives users or subscribers a more satisfied experience. These services are geared to not only increase revenue but also improve the quality of service being provided to customers. Many service providers offer features that improve the user experience of mobile MMS. Use integration features smoother message delivery and improved management services.
Multimedia Messaging Service
Multi Media Messaging refers to the standard way to send multimedia content from one mobile phone to another, or to multiple phones. This is an extension of the core Short Messaging Service (SMS) that allows messages to be sent via texts between mobile phones. One of the most popular uses for MMS is to send and receive pictures through the use of handsets that are equipped with a camera. Both residential and commercial customers benefit from the use of MMS. Commercial enterprises use MMS to deliver a number of MMS messages to their customers. It is a great way to send news and content relating to entertainment to their customers. Coupon codes, videos and images of products are also sent via MMS by brands who want to maximize their profits and keep their customers informed.
How is MMS Sent?
MMS, even though it is seen as an extension of SMS, is not sent in the same way as SMS. In fact, MMS are sent in a completely different format. MMS messages are sent via a particular format that starts with the message being sent being encoded. This encoding of the message is done similar to how MIME messages are encoded. The message is then directed to the MMSC (Multimedia Messaging Centre). In the event that the receiver is on a different carrier, the MMSC acts as a go between and sent the message to the MMSC of the receiving part by way of the internet.
Once the receiver’s MMSC has received the message, it has to do an evaluation first. It looks at whether or not the receiver’s handset is MMS capable, that is, if it will be able to support the standards required for receiving MMS messages. If the handset is MMS capable, the content is then extracted and sent to a temporary storage server (having an HTTP front -end). In order for the message to be sent, a sms “control message” is sent to the recipient’s handset. The message contains the URL of the content and triggers the recipients WAP browser to open so that the content can be received. Before content is delivered, there are some MMSC that include a conversion service that assist with modifying the content so that it is in a suitable format for the receiver.
If the handset that the receiver has is not MMS capable, the message is normally sent to a web based service so that the content becomes viewable in an internet browser. The content URL is normally sent to the receivers’ phone in a form of a regular text message. This action is also unknown as the “legacy experience”. This is because the content can be received by the receiver’s phone even though the phone does not support MMS messages.
Challenges of Using MMS
There are a number of issues that are faced by MMS messaging services that is not seen in the use of SMS services. Some of these include content adaptation, whereby content that is created by one type of MMS phone might not be entirely compatible with the recipient’s phone even if that phone is MMS capable, problem with bulk messaging whereby the flow that users enjoy when sending single messages are interrupted when too many messages are being sent and also WAP Push where only a few mobile network operators offer a direct connection to their MMSC to accommodate the content providers.
