SMS messaging using a service capability exposure function

A method for optimizing Short Message Service (SMS) communications such that an SMS Service Center (SMS-SC) is bypassed in the communications, the method comprising:

• receiving, by an augmented Service Capability Exposure Function (“A-SCEF”), at least one communication from an Application Server (“AS”), the at least one communication including a data payload and a generic destination user equipment (UE) identifier;
• determining, by the A-SCEF, the at least one communication is associated with an SMS communication;
• creating, by the A-SCEF, a message including the data payload and a network-usable destination UE identifier;
• and
• providing, by the A-SCEF, the message to the MME using an SGd interface between the A-SCEF and the MME such that the MME recognizes the message as an SMS communication and forwards the data payload to the UE as an SMS communication.

A system for optimizing Short Message Service (SMS) communications such that an SMS Service Center (SMS-SC) is bypassed in the communications, the system comprising:

• an augmented Service Capability Exposure Function (“A-SCEF”), the A-SCEF including a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein that, when executed, cause the processor to:
• receive at least one communication from an Application Server (“AS”), the at least one communication including a data payload and a generic destination user equipment (UE) identifier;
• determine the at least one communication is associated with an SMS communication;
• create a message including the data payload, a network-usable destination UE identifier, and an SMS indicator based on the determination that the at least one communication is associated with an SMS communication;
• and
• provide the message to a Mobility Management Entity (“MME”) such that the MME recognizes the message as an SMS communication and forwards the data payload to the UE as an SMS communication.

A system for optimizing Short Message Service (SMS) communications such that an SMS Service Center (SMS-SC) is bypassed in the communications, the system comprising:

• an augmented Service Capability Exposure Function (“A-SCEF”), the A-SCEF including a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein that, when executed, cause the processor to:
• receive at least one communication from an Application Server (“AS”), the at least one communication including a data payload and a generic destination user equipment (UE) identifier;
• determine the at least one communication is associated with an SMS communication;
• create a message including the data payload and a network-usable destination UE identifier;
• and
• provide the message to the MME using an SGd interface between the A-SCEF and the MME such that the MME recognizes the message as an SMS communication and forwards the data payload to the UE as an SMS communication.