Multimedia Messaging

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Multimedia Messaging

Glossary of terms

SMS	Short Messaging Service
MMS	Multimedia Messaging Service
WAP	Wireless Access Protocol
GPRS	General Packet Radio Service
HSPDA	High-Speed Downlink Packet Access

Introduction

Did you know that polyphonic ringtones, colour wallpaper logos and java games are sent via a method called "WAP-push". Wap push allows you to send content to phones cheaply and efficiently. aql offer simple HTTP POST APIs for allowing ringtone site operators to deliver their content seamlessly via our systems. For information on our WAP push gateway, please read on, or call us on 01133 20 30 40. Sending a WAP push costs the same as sending an SMS text message.

The advent of GPRS and HSDPA is allowing quicker and more efficient transfer of data over the mobile networks. This combined with the availability of more powerful handsets is resulting in the availability of media rich content services such as web browsing and multimedia messaging. Most new handsets are capable of displaying WAP / MMS content as standard and therefore the number of compatible handsets in use is rising steadily.

Photo messaging (a limited form of MMS) has been marketed heavily by the big 4 UK networks (O2, T-mobile, Vodafone and Orange). However, these networks are currently only permitting their own MMS traffic to be passed across their network. These networks have not fully opened their networks to external MMS traffic from providers such as aql.com. However it is currently possible to send MMS messages to certain network subscribers. Please try the example on our homepage to see if you can currently receive this content. If you have a compatible handset and are not able to receive this example, you will have to wait for our released service.

There is however an alternative to MMS for delivering content to end users. WAP Push is a service allowing you to combine the flexibility of WAP with the convenience of an SMS. WAP Push allows you to send a specific WAP URL, such as http://aql.com/wap/aql.wml to a phone as a service message. This allows the recipient to access media rich content via a one key operation to connect to their WAP provider and access the content. WAP Push has a number of advantages and disadvantages over SMS and MMS and as such each will have their suitable applications.

Comparison: SMS, MMS, WAP-Push

	SMS	MMS	WAP Push
Content	Plain text.	SMIL: Text, Images, Audio, Voice, Video.	WML: Text, Images, Navigation, User Input.
Service compatibilty	All handsets as standard.	Modern and future handsets (requires MMS enabled)	Most recent handsets (requires WAP access provider)
Content compatibility	Fully supported on all handsets.	Varies depending on handset. Initially limited to Text, Image, Audio.	Varies depending on handset. WML and wBmp images. Colour Gif supported on newer phones.
Size limit	160 Characters	Currently 30kb	Varies between providers.
Cost to sender	1 message credit	1-2 message credits*	1-2 message credits*
Cost to recipient	N/A	Providers WAP access fees.	Providers WAP access fees.

* Depending on the length of the URL. Long urls can result in messages being sent in 2 parts.

Where do I go from here?

To trial our MMS / WAP Push services and for advice on creating your own campaign or media-rich service, please contact us to discuss the options available, or fill in our online form with information about your requirements and we'll contact you with a proposal based on your needs.

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