What is SMSC

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) is a network element in the cellular phone network. It stores, forwards, converts and delivers the SMS messages.

The full description of an SMSC according to 3GPP is Short Message Service - Service Centre (SMS-SC)

How SMSC executes itself?

• Receives text messages (SMS) from the wireless network.
• Stores all the text messages
• Forwards the stored text messages
• Delivers the text messages (SMS) to wireless network users
• Maintains unique time stamps in text messages

Guaranteed delivery: if a wireless recipient is switched off, out of range or if there is a network outage, the SMS message will be stored in the network and delivered when the recipient announces its presence, or when the outage is rectified. This is the basis of the store-and-forward concept.

How the SMSC handles & operates wireless network?

An SMS center (SMSC) is accountable for managing the SMS operations of a wireless network.

• When an SMS message is sent from a mobile phone, it will reach an SMS center first.
• The SMS center then forwards the SMS message towards the destination.
• The main duty of an SMSC is to route SMS messages and regulate the process. If the recipient is unavailable (for example, when the mobile phone is switched off), the SMSC will store the SMS message.
• It will forward the SMS message when the recipient is available or when the message's expiry period is exceeded.

Validity period of message at SMSC?

An SMS message is stored temporarily in the SMS center if the recipient mobile phone is unavailable. Expiry period of a SMS is 24 hours after which the SMS message will be deleted from the SMS center.

Status Report to Clients by SMSC

Detailed report is provided by the technical team to the clients regarding the number of stored, delivered and recipient's details.