Ericsson recently selected Sinch AB, a global cloud communications and software provider for mobile operators, to support its worldwide 5G rollout with messaging technology. Sinch’s SMS Function (SMSF), a cloud-native 3GPP-specified messaging product, will be incorporated into the Ericsson core network offering.
Sinch’s Jeff Hasen tells IndustryWeek, SMS can either be supported over an IP user plane or the control plane in 5G deployments. In the IP user plane, messages are IP-based and are sent over an IP-SM Gateway. On the control plane, messages do not require IP connectivity and are sent over the SMSF. Each method will be essential in 5G networks — and Sinch provides both as part of its 5G messaging portfolio.
“SMSF will be especially critical in helping drive new operator revenues from the explosive growth in connected IoT devices. A key distinction between the two that will affect the types of IoT use cases each method is used for, is that IP connectivity is far more power-hungry. Because of this, SMS would be the preferred channel of messaging over SMSF wherever power is an issue, which is particularly pertinent for the industrial space,” says Hasen. “This may include any scenario where the power source is irregular or a device is inaccessible, either by design or by function, for long periods of time. For example, a shipping container moving around the world’s cargo ports may have fire alarms that are not meant for workers to tinker with too often or remote meters that are powered by solar energy. Similarly, in any scenario where a battery is meant to last for years, SMSF will be critical in supporting its core functions.”
In 5G, SMS will continue to support person-to-person (P2P) and application-to-person (A2P) messaging and will further be extended to support new use cases, including Internet of Things (IoT). In IoT, SMS is the trusted communication method for devices that require intermittent connectivity and where device battery preservation is of the essence. Of the billions of IoT devices expected to come online in the coming years, many will rely on SMS throughout the IoT and 5G network roll out.
Sinch develops technology both for mobile operators and enterprise customers. For mobile operators, the new SMSF product further expands Sinch’s messaging product portfolio and strengthens Sinch’s position as a messaging partner. For Sinch’s many enterprise customers, who rely on the company’s global network of direct operator connections to engage with their customers, the announcement highlights the company’s unflinching commitment to operator messaging services.
“Sinch is honored and proud to see our partnership with Ericsson evolve and include new messaging technologies for the 5G core network”, says Anders Olin, President and Chief Operating Officer at Sinch. “The SMSF is an important part of the 5G core network that will help drive new operator revenues from the explosive growth in connected IoT devices.”
The agreement with Ericsson builds on the existing partnership for Ericsson’s Messaging in One (MiO) portfolio, which to date has seen Sinch deliver Messaging products to some twenty Ericsson mobile operator customers throughout the world. The first deliveries of the Sinch SMSF as part of Ericsson’s core network are expected to take place during 2020.
