SS7 PLATFORM FAQs

For SMS wholesalers and aggregators (SMS trading businesses), an SS7 platform can significantly boost profitability and routing control. Firstly, having direct SS7 access means you are not dependent on upstream aggregators to reach mobile networks – you effectively become your own hub. This cuts out intermediary fees and allows more direct (often cheaper) routes. In fact, many traditional aggregators lack direct SS7 connections and must send messages via an operator’s SMSC, adding extra steps and costs. By contrast, with an SS7 platform you send messages straight into operators’ networks, reducing cost per message and increasing margin on each SMS. Secondly, you gain more flexibility in routing choices (e.g. instant switching to alternate routes, etc.), which helps optimize costs and quality. According to industry experience, direct SS7 connectivity enables efficient least-cost routing and correct billing, improving both delivery rates and revenue. In summary, an SS7 platform gives wholesale messaging providers greater control over routes, costs, and quality – a competitive edge in the SMS trading market.

An SS7 signaling gateway is a system that bridges IP-based messaging protocols like SMPP with the SS7 telecom network. In the context of SMS, it converts and relays messages between an SMS application/SMSC using SMPP (Short Message Peer-to-Peer protocol) and mobile operators over SS7 signaling (typically via SIGTRAN, which is SS7 over IP). HORISEN’s SS7 Platform acts as such a gateway: you simply connect your existing SMSC or messaging server to the platform over SMPP, and the platform handles delivery into the SS7 network via SIGTRAN links to mobile carriers. This seamless SMPP-to-SS7 integration means you can send and receive SMS on global mobile networks without building your own SS7 infrastructure. In short, the SS7 gateway function lets you leverage direct carrier routes and high-speed SS7 signaling using the standard SMPP connections you already have. It is a vendor-neutral solution, so it works with any operator or SMS platform, providing flexibility in connecting to multiple SS7 carriers.

HORISEN SS7 Platform is designed for professional messaging businesses and telecom companies that need direct carrier connectivity. It is ideal for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and MVNOs that want to manage SMS routing in-house, as well as SMS aggregators, wholesale SMS traders, CPaaS providers, and large enterprises that send high volumes of SMS. If you are a messaging technologist looking for greater control, speed, and cost-efficiency in SMS delivery, an SS7 platform gives you carrier-grade capabilities without relying on middlemen. It is essentially built for anyone who needs carrier-neutral, direct-to-network messaging – from telecom carriers to messaging hubs and even voice operators expanding into SMS.

We offer both deployment options to suit your business needs. HORISEN SS7 Platform is available as a Hosted SS7 Solution (SaaS) – a cloud-based service where we host and manage the SS7 infrastructure for you – and as a Dedicated SS7 Platform that we can deploy on HORISEN dedicated server we manage for you (ideal for fast, low-maintenance setup) or on your own server infrastructure. The Hosted (SaaS) option lets you start sending SS7 traffic quickly without investing in any hardware, since you connect via the cloud. The Dedicated option gives you your own SS7 infrastructure at an affordable price, ideal if you require full control or integration within your data center. In both cases, HORISEN handles the heavy lifting of SS7 connectivity, so you do not need to maintain legacy signalling equipment. You choose the model and we ensure you get a fully redundant, scalable SS7 platform either way.

Yes. HORISEN SS7 Platform is built to be vendor-neutral and easy to integrate into your current infrastructure. If you already have an SMSC or messaging gateway, you can connect it to the platform via standard SMPP or HTTPS APIs. The platform will handle all the SS7 signalling complexity in the background, so your applications continue to use familiar protocols while gaining SS7 reach. This means you do not have to replace your existing SMS software – the SS7 Platform will sit between your system and the telecom networks, doing real-time protocol conversion between SMPP and SS7 for you. It is essentially a plug-and-play approach: you keep your current messaging workflow and HORISEN’s platform will seamlessly route your traffic over SS7. This integration simplicity helps businesses quickly upgrade to SS7 capabilities without a major overhaul.

The platform is termed carrier-grade because it meets the reliability and performance standards required by telecom operators. HORISEN SS7 Platform is built with full redundancy and can handle very high throughput – in the range of tens of thousands of transactions per second. It supports multiple SS7 links and point codes, allowing load balancing and failover across links so that there is no single point of failure. In practical terms, it can easily scale to accommodate large spikes in SMS traffic (for example, during peak hours or big campaigns) without impacting delivery times. Scalability is a key benefit of SS7 technology; an SS7 messaging gateway can ramp up to handle massive volumes while maintaining performance. HORISEN’s platform leverages this, giving you a future-proof solution as your business grows. Whether you are sending 100,000 SMS a day or millions, the platform’s architecture ensures minimal latency, 24/7 stability, and room to scale up on demand.

No – one of the core values of HORISEN SS7 Platform is that it simplifies complex telecom protocols for you. You do not need deep SS7 signalling expertise or your own SS7 switches to benefit from it. HORISEN delivers the platform as a software solution (cloud or on-premise) that already speaks SS7, so your team can work with familiar tools instead of dealing directly with low-level telecom protocols. HORISEN’s support team will handle the initial setup of SS7 links and guide you through configuration. From your perspective, sending an SMS via the SS7 Platform is as straightforward as using any modern SMS gateway – the difference is that behind the scenes, HORISEN is translating that into SS7 signalling to reach the operator networks. This allows businesses to tap into the power of SS7 (high quality routes, direct connectivity) without hiring specialized SS7 engineers or deploying telecom hardware. It is a turnkey solution: we manage the signalling complexity, and you focus on your messaging business.

Yes. HORISEN SS7 Platform is highly customizable to fit your specific business model, traffic profile, and infrastructure. It is built as a modular system, meaning you can start with the core features and scale up by adding advanced modules as your SMS volumes and network complexity grow. The platform supports both HORISEN-native integrations and third-party software – making it ideal for telecom providers, CPaaS players, and SMS aggregators with diverse tech stacks. Whether deployed in HORISEN’s managed environment or on your own servers, the SS7 Platform can be configured around your routing logic, protocols, and security policies. It offers carrier-grade robustness while giving you full control over features, performance, and system behavior.

Pricing for HORISEN SS7 Platform is customized based on your deployment preference (Hosted SS7 Solution or Dedicated SS7 Platform), traffic volume, required features, and geographic routing needs. Whether you are a telecom operator looking for in-house SS7 signaling or a messaging provider seeking direct connectivity with carriers, we will tailor an offer that matches your scale and commercial model. To receive a personalized pricing proposal, contact us at www.horisen.com/contact.

To discover how HORISEN SS7 Platform can empower your messaging operations with direct carrier connectivity, visit www.horisen.com/contact and schedule a free demo. Our technical and commercial experts will walk you through the platform’s capabilities, help assess your use case, and guide you through the onboarding process – whether you choose a cloud-hosted or on-premise setup.

HORISEN SS7 Platform acts as a bridge between your existing SMS systems and the SS7 telecom network. It uses SIGTRAN (SS7 over IP) links to connect with mobile operators or SS7 signalling providers, and standard SMPP or HTTP APIs to interface with your SMS applications or SMSC. In practice, you simply connect your SMS gateway (or SMSC) to the HORISEN platform via SMPP, and the platform converts and routes your messages into the SS7 network. HORISEN provides an SS7 gateway that transforms SS7 protocols into SMPP, so your messages can travel over SS7 without you having to manage any legacy hardware. This means with a single integration, you gain direct access to global SS7 signalling carriers and mobile operators for SMS.

HORISEN SS7 Platform does not manage mobile number portability (MNP) directly – that is handled by HORISEN’s dedicated MNP Platform, which can be integrated separately. However, the SS7 Platform does support HLR (Home Location Register) lookups over SS7, providing real-time information about a mobile subscriber’s status, roaming location, and whether the number is active or reachable.

This is especially important for SMS delivery over SS7, as HLR queries help optimize routing, reduce undelivered messages, and improve operational efficiency. For full number portability handling, HORISEN offers a standalone MNP Platform that complements the SS7 solution or MNP Lookup Service.

Direct SS7 connectivity gives you a faster and more reliable path for your messages. Since you are connected straight into carrier networks (instead of going through multiple third-party hubs), messages take fewer hops to reach the destination. This means lower latency and virtually no unnecessary delays – an SS7 platform finds the most efficient route for each SMS so it is delivered in the shortest time possible. Direct connectivity also often yields higher deliverability because there are fewer points of failure and less filtering by intermediaries. Moreover, HORISEN SS7 Platform has intelligent routing features (like load balancing across links and customizable route rules) to optimize quality. The result is carrier-grade reliability and speed – even for critical messages like OTPs or alerts, you get fast, secure delivery with minimal latency by leveraging direct SS7 routes.

M3UA (MTP3 User Adaptation Layer) is a protocol used to transport SS7 signaling messages over IP networks via SIGTRAN. In traditional telecom networks, SS7 messages travel over dedicated circuit-switched infrastructure. M3UA allows these same messages – used for routing SMS, calls, and other signaling functions – to be sent over modern IP-based networks without losing reliability or structure. This makes M3UA essential for connecting SMSCs, gateways, and SS7 platforms in today’s telecom environments.

Yes. HORISEN SS7 Platform fully supports M3UA (MTP Level 3 User Adaptation Layer), a key SIGTRAN protocol that enables SS7 signaling to be transported over IP networks. M3UA allows applications like SMSCs or messaging gateways to communicate with the SS7 network using IP-based infrastructure, instead of traditional TDM lines. This is essential for modern telecom environments where SS7 is delivered over IP (via SIGTRAN) rather than legacy SS7 stacks.

By supporting M3UA, HORISEN SS7 Platform ensures reliable, high-throughput signaling across distributed networks, while maintaining carrier-grade performance and redundancy. This makes it ideal for operators, aggregators, and service providers transitioning to IP-based core networks or seeking to scale their SMS delivery without investing in legacy telecom hardware.

HORISEN’s SS7 Platform includes built-in security features to protect your messaging traffic. Notably, it has an SS7 firewall and spoofing detection mechanism that monitors for fraudulent or suspicious message patterns. For example, the platform can perform real-time “SMS MO spoofing” checks – detecting and blocking illicit attempts to fake sender identities or route messages improperly. You can enable these checks per signalling link or across all traffic, and configure how the system responds (e.g. blocking and logging the event) if a spoofing attempt is detected.

Additionally, all connections can be secured via VPN or TLS encryption as needed. Because SS7 networks have known vulnerabilities, HORISEN follows GSMA best practices and provides these protective measures so that your SMS business and subscribers stay safe. In short, the platform not only routes messages quickly, but also safeguards your network from spam, fraud, and unauthorized access on the signalling layer.

HORISEN SS7 Platform works in full synergy with HORISEN’s SCCP Signalling Service to provide direct, global SS7 connectivity without the burden of building your own signaling infrastructure. The SCCP (Signalling Connection Control Part) protocol is a core component of SS7 networks, responsible for advanced routing of SMS and signaling messages across mobile networks worldwide.

By integrating with HORISEN’s SCCP Signalling Service, the SS7 Platform enables you to establish secure, redundant international signalling links and connect with multiple global carriers using a single commercial agreement. You do not need to acquire SS7 ISPC licenses, invest in additional telecom hardware, or manage minimum monthly commitments with multiple signaling carriers. Instead, HORISEN provides instant access to its established SCCP network, allowing quick onboarding, cost savings, and carrier-grade reach.

The combined solution supports flexible routing management, high message throughput, and full regulatory compliance – ideal for SMS providers, aggregators, and telecom operators seeking to expand their messaging footprint while minimizing infrastructure costs. In short, HORISEN SS7 + SCCP delivers everything you need to launch and scale global SS7 messaging without legacy complexity.

HORISEN SS7 Platform can integrate tightly with HORISEN’s STP (Signal Transfer Point) Platform to deliver more intelligent, resilient, and scalable SS7 messaging operations. The STP Platform acts as a central routing brain for SS7 traffic, dynamically directing signalling messages to the correct destination based on global point codes and network topology.

By combining the SS7 and STP platforms, you gain a powerful signaling architecture that reduces complexity and boosts performance. You no longer need to manage direct links to every operator – instead, HORISEN’s STP handles advanced message routing, connection optimization, and fallback logic automatically. This improves global message reach, minimizes latency, and ensures reliable delivery even in the event of link failures or route changes.

Key benefits of the integration include enhanced routing flexibility, seamless scalability, centralized control of SS7 traffic, and reduced dependency on individual operator connections. Whether you are a telecom carrier, aggregator, or messaging hub, the combination of HORISEN SS7 and STP Platforms gives you full control of your signaling layer – enabling fast, accurate message delivery on a global scale with built-in redundancy and regulatory compliance.

HORISEN SS7 Platform is engineered with high-grade security features designed specifically for telecom environments. It includes an integrated SS7 firewall, spoofing detection, and SMS MO spoofing prevention to monitor and block suspicious activity at the signalling layer. All connections can be secured via VPN or TLS, and the platform follows GSMA and industry best practices to guard against known SS7 vulnerabilities. Hosted in bank-certified Swiss data centers and designed for 99.999% uptime, it ensures reliable, compliant, and tamper-proof message delivery across carrier networks.

HORISEN offers 24/7 technical support led by a highly experienced in-house team specialized in messaging and signalling technologies. You will receive direct access to telecom professionals who manage system monitoring, troubleshooting, link configuration, and custom setups. Support includes continuous updates, watchdog-driven issue detection, and guided assistance for traffic scaling, signalling interconnection, and integration with your SMSC or gateway.

Yes. HORISEN provides full onboarding support with every SS7 Platform deployment – whether hosted or on-premise. This includes system configuration, interconnection guidance, and direct access to our award-winning training and support team. HORISEN’s onboarding process is recognized across the telecom industry and has been awarded twice by the Antonio Meucci Global Telco Awards, ensuring you get fast and frictionless activation of your SS7 operations.

You can schedule a personalized demo tailored to your business model and traffic needs. Whether you are an MNO, MVNO, aggregator, or SMS hub looking for direct carrier connectivity, our experts will demonstrate how the SS7 Platform integrates into your current infrastructure, explain feature sets like signalling links, spoofing control, and load balancing, and answer your questions in a hands-on walkthrough. Request your demo at www.horisen.com/contact.