TORONTO—In a major joint announcement, four of Canada’s wireless carriers said they are joining forces in an effort to stimulate short messaging service (SMS) use by creating an interoperable messaging service.
Under the deal, subscribers of Bell Mobility, Microcell Connexions, Rogers AT&T and Telus Mobility will be able to send SMS messages to any other subscriber among the four carriers. Previously, users could only send messages to subscribers on the same network.
The system will work through CMG Wireless Data Solutions’ Inter-SMSC Router service, which allows for SMS messages across a variety of network technologies, including CDMA, GSM, iDEN and TDMA.
Many analysts have agreed the success of SMS depends on the ability to send a message to any mobile subscriber, regardless of what network they use. In Europe, SMS has exploded into a wildly popular application, partly because all European carriers share the same network technology and SMS messages are therefore interoperable.
In North America, however, varying network technologies have stymied the use of SMS services, and U.S. carriers have been reluctant to agree to interoperable SMS deals.
“The move continues the long tradition of Canadian operators being at the forefront of North American wireless technology and enables participating carriers to launch new mobile applications and services that will reach the entire Canadian market,” said Peter Barnes, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA).
