Date of issue: 16 January 2012
Purpose:
This Customer Advice Note (CAN 039) provides information relating to the SMS functionality from Galaxy control panels using PSTN landlines and information regarding an update to the G2 Control Panel.
Problem:
The following email extract has been sent to us by BSIA (British Security Industry Association), who have received information regarding the O2 network and the TAP gateway used for SMS texting via PSTN. The O2 centre number (07860 980480) has been unreliable for a period of time, and even though the panel will transmit the message, a failure by the O2 server will result in an āSMS Comm Failā condition generated at the control panel and failure to deliver the text message.
This does not affect SMS signalling over the GSM network.
Dear Member,
In the past few months we have been in discussion with O2 about their SMS message service where text messages are sent by landline to a TAP Gateway and on to mobile phone numbers. This service, not to be confused with the sending of SMS messages directly from alarm panels using the GMS mobile phone network, has suffered from a number of outages recently.
On 15th November, O2 informed us that they intend to discontinue this service. Their statement reads: “We launched TAP SMS 15 years ago and it’s being used less and less asmore advanced services are now available. As a result we’ve decided to closethe service at the end of March 2012. We have a range of alternative services available including Business Text and Machine to Machine.”
If you have manufactured products using this service you may wish to prepare advice for your customers about this. You may also wish to consider whether your future products include facilities for alternative methods of SMS delivery.
Solution:
OpenTAP from DIDcomms its the only free of charge and reliable TAP gateway in the UK at present. The only catch is you must register to use the service which prevents fraud and text spammers.
Registration is easy as 1 2 3….
- Input the OpenTAP access numberĀ 09018600011 (dialing from international +448726149997) into your alarm communication or TAP software client settings.
- Input the mobile numbers your wish to receive text messages on in the following format without any leading zeros, eg. 447950123456
- CLICK HERE to register online now!