Testing the reliability, scalability, and operational functionality of the SMSC is a significant task. Emblasoft Evolver provides a single platform that can emulate realistic end-user behaviour, traffic loads, and scenarios – and inject traffic into live networks for continuous active monitoring – at the protocol level throughout the entire SMSC technology stack.

As noted in the first blog in this series of two, global operator revenue from RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging will grow from $1.3 billion in 2023 to $8 billion in 2025. This growth will be significantly driven by Apple’s support for RCS, which is expected later this year^[1]. Juniper Research also predicts that support for iOS devices will expand the active global subscriber base for RCS and RBM (RCS Business Messaging) by 900 million over the next 2 years to reach 2.1 billion globally.

For operators, this is set to unlock a richly expanded market opportunity, particularly for A2P messaging and business / consumer engagement. Increasingly consumers want to interact with businesses using the apps and messaging platforms they use in daily life, and enterprises are alive to this opportunity.

RCS and RBM lead to high customer conversion rates

An interesting example of this is car manufacturer Nissan Europe’s RCS campaign to create personalised mobile messaging using their existing CRM data – it resulted in an 80% conversion rate^[2].

So, there is clearly a huge expected opportunity for operators to provide rich messaging services to businesses like Nissan. However, it means of course that the QoE, reliability, and scalability of the services they offer have to be second to none. Importantly, RCS must operate on a roaming basis across different networks (both in the same country and when recipients are travelling abroad), as the business customer does not need or want to know how the messages are delivered.

Put simply, rich messages must be delivered regardless of network or location. Businesses obviously don’t know where a customer is when they send their messages – and nor should it matter. So, the business customers of operators need to be able to obtain a seamless level of service.

In turn, it means that operators must ensure that RCS message delivery is handled successfully at all times – for all in-network, cross-network (national), and to / from visited networks (roaming) – particularly when bi-directional communication is initiated. Rich messaging A2P services must be tested and continuously validated across all RCS use cases. How can operators ensure this?

Comprehensive, end-to-end testing of full-stack SMSC

Emblasoft Evolver is a comprehensive, end-to-end platform that offers a range of test and validation solutions that enable operators to validate RCS services, covering local networks (yours), national (to other MNOs in your country), and roaming scenarios. Our capabilities are bidirectional, so we can emulate whether a message is sent or received, as well as conversational aspects in a dialogue.

We model different entities within the RCS architecture, so you can test these individually, in wrap-around scenarios, or end-to-end, right down to the RCS terminating / originating client. We can also ensure effective interworking across different networks, spanning IPX networks and carrier hubs.

We can also test your IWF (interworking functions) to ensure consistent performance between networks and between RCS / SMS capable clients, while generating traffic at load (performance testing, at scale) to allow simulation of your B2B partners (sending A2P messages to multiple recipients).

Importantly, Evolver (and its Active Monitoring capabilities) can test the full RCS SMSC technology stack i.e., end-to-end A2P testing, including all interfaces and sub-system components. It ensures that messaging delivery statistics meet expectations for SLA-backed B2B services (operator or SMS service provider to merchant or payment platform), as well as assuring exceptional QoE for consumers.

When it comes to security, Evolver can assure:

• Two-factor authentication (TFA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA), which provide an additional layer of security. 
• One-time passwords (OTPs) for single-use security codes to confirm identities during transactions or logins. 
• SMS authentication to confirm a user’s identity or to alert them to potential fraudulent actions on their accounts. 

Specifically, Evolver’s full-stack SMSC testing can:

• Simulate all SMS MAP interfaces (local as well as inbound and outbound roaming).
• Simulate large customer accounts for SMPP and HTTP.
• Simulate OCS for all billing interaction.
• Simulate HLR for full control of message handling.

In other words, it’s a vital tool for ensuring that your RCS offers meet the expectations of your business and enterprise partners who seek to use them to reach their customers – which now include those with iOS devices.

To find out more, download our paper on full-stack SMSC testing with Emblasoft Evolver by clicking here.

^[1] https://www.juniperresearch.com/press/apple-s-rcs-support-to-grow-rcs-business-messaging-revenue-by-500-globally-in-two-years/

^[2] https://www.sinch.com/insights/customer-stories/nissans-path-to-better-sales-and-engagement-personalized-mobile-messaging/