Telecom glossary
Messaging, signaling, core-network and fraud terminology
Each entry has a plain-language definition, a technical definition, why it matters, the relevant Guardivia products, related terms and protocols.
A
- A2P(Application-to-Person)
SMS sent by a business system to a person: one-time passwords, bank alerts, delivery notices and marketing.
- Active-active
Two or more nodes serving traffic at the same time.
- AIT(Artificially Inflated Traffic)
Fake verification traffic created so that someone in the delivery chain gets paid for messages nobody asked for.
- AlertSC(Alert Service Centre)
The HLR telling the SMSC that a subscriber is back.
- AT SMS(Application-Terminated SMS)
A message delivered to an application rather than a handset.
C
- CAMEL(Customised Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic)
The technology that lets the home network control calls, SMS and data for prepaid and value-added services, including while roaming.
- CAP(CAMEL Application Part)
The protocol CAMEL uses between switches and the service control point.
- CDR(Call Detail Record / Charging Data Record)
The per-event record used for billing and analysis.
D
G
H
- High availability
Designing so a single failure does not stop service.
- HLR(Home Location Register)
The database of an operator's subscribers and where they currently are.
- Home Routing(SMS Home Routing)
Forcing inbound SMS for your subscribers through your own network for inspection.
- HSS(Home Subscriber Server)
The 4G/IMS equivalent of the HLR.
I
M
- M2P(Machine-to-Person)
Messages from devices or machines (meters, sensors, vehicles) to people.
- M3UA(MTP3 User Adaptation Layer)
The SIGTRAN layer that carries SCCP over IP as if over MTP3.
- MAP(Mobile Application Part)
The SS7 application protocol for mobility and SMS.
- Message Waiting Data(MWD)
The HLR's note that a message is waiting for an unreachable subscriber.
- MNP(Mobile Number Portability)
Keeping your number when you change operator.
- MO SMS(Mobile-Originated SMS)
A message sent from a handset.
- MT SMS(Mobile-Terminated SMS)
A message delivered to a handset.
O
- OCS(Online Charging System)
The real-time balance and charging engine for prepaid services.
- OSS(Operations Support Systems)
The systems operators use to run the network: provisioning, monitoring, fault and performance management.
- OTP(One-Time Password)
The short code sent to confirm a login, payment or sign-up.
P
- P2A(Person-to-Application)
A message a subscriber sends to a service, such as a short code for a vote, a query or an opt-in.
- P2P(Person-to-Person)
Ordinary messages between two mobile subscribers.
- PCC(Per-connection classifier)
A way of splitting new connections evenly between two engines.
- PCRF(Policy and Charging Rules Function)
The policy decision point for data sessions.
R
S
- SCCP(Signalling Connection Control Part)
The SS7 layer that routes messages by Global Title.
- SCTP(Stream Control Transmission Protocol)
The transport protocol under SIGTRAN and Diameter.
- Sender ID
The name or number shown as the sender of an SMS.
- Sender-ID spoofing
Sending messages that appear to come from someone else, such as a bank.
- SIGTRAN(Signaling Transport)
SS7 carried over IP networks.
- SIM box
A device holding many SIM cards used to terminate commercial traffic as if it were local subscribers.
- SIM farm
A large-scale SIM-box operation, often distributed and automated.
- SIP MESSAGE
The SIP method used to carry an instant message or SMS over IMS.
- SLA(Service Level Agreement)
The contract that defines measurable service targets and remedies.
- Smishing(SMS phishing)
Fraudulent SMS that tricks people into clicking links or giving up credentials.
- SMPP(Short Message Peer-to-Peer)
The protocol applications use to send and receive SMS through an SMSC or gateway.
- SMPPS(SMPP over TLS)
Encrypted SMPP.
- SMS flooding
Deliberate high-volume message injection to overwhelm systems or subscribers.
- SMS honeypot
Trap phone numbers on real SIMs used to capture and test SMS traffic.
- SMSC(Short Message Service Centre)
The network element that stores, routes and delivers SMS.
- SRI-SM(Send Routing Info for Short Message)
The question an SMSC asks the HLR: where is this subscriber right now?
- SS7(Signalling System No. 7)
The signaling network that mobile networks use to set up calls, route SMS and locate subscribers.
- Store-and-forward
Keeping a message until it can be delivered.
- STP(Signal Transfer Point)
The router of the SS7 network.
T
U
V
See it running on your traffic profile.
Talk to the engineers who build the platform. Demos use your protocols, your integration points and your policy questions.