ESME

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For the given name, see Esme

External Short Messaging Entity (ESME) is a term originally coined by Aldiscon to describe an external application that connects to an SMSC to engage in the sending and/or receiving of SMS.

SME is a term used in many cellular circles to describe a network entity (mobile/cell phone) that can send/receive messages. ESME (pronounced Ez Me) is essentially one of these but without all the wireless aspects; i.e its wired in over IP/X.25 etc.

Typical examples of ESMEs are systems that send automated marketing messages to mobile users, voting systems that process SMS votes (Pop Idol, Big Brother etc.) basically anytime a mobile user sends/receives a message where the other party was not another real mobile user, you can be fairly sure that the other guy is an ESME.

SMSC access protocols such as SMPP, UCP, OIS, CIMD, SMCI all of which denote the concept of an ESME connecting to an SMSC.