Messaging service

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in a situation, where said terminal (MS) is ready to receive data through a specific network element (GGSN), the method comprises sending said message addressed to the terminal from the messaging server (MMSC) to the terminal through said specific network element.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in a situation, where said terminal (MS) is not ready to receive data through any said network element, the method comprises repeating said first inquiry (41) after a specific period of time.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said network elements are gateway support nodes of a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network (GGSN).

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the IP address of said terminal (MS) is indicated to said messaging server (MMSC) in said first response message (47).

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one of the following is used to identify the terminal MS in the cellular network:

• an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) code, an IMUI (International Mobile User Identity) code.

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a specific identifier (MMS-ID) external to the cellular network is used between the cellular network and the messaging server to identify the terminal (MS).

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said messaging server (MMSC) transfers a multimedia message to said terminal (MS).

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first inquiry (41) is always sent from the messaging server (MMSC) to the same first network element (GGSN).

A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein data transmission is effected in a packet switched mode.

A messaging server (MMSC) external to a cellular network for implementing a messaging service between the messaging server and a terminal (MS) of the cellular network, the messaging server comprising;

• means (51-55) for receiving a message addressed to said terminal (MS), wherein the messaging server further comprises:
• means (51, 55) for sending a first inquiry (41) to a first network element (GGSN) of the cellular network to determine the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data.

A computer program product executable in a messaging server (MMSC) external to a cellular network for implementing a messaging service between the messaging server and a terminal (MS) of the cellular network, the computer program product comprising program code:

• for causing the messaging server (MMSC) to receive a message addressed to said terminal (MS), wherein the computer program product further comprises program code:
• for causing the messaging server (MMSC) to send a first inquiry (41) to a first network element (GGSN) of the cellular network to determine the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data.

A network element (GGSN) of a cellular network for implementing a messaging service between a messaging server external to the cellular network and a terminal (MS) of the cellular network, wherein the network element comprises:

• means (66, 67) for receiving a first inquiry (41) sent by the messaging server, the first inquiry comprising a request to determine the readiness of said terminal (MS) of the cellular network to receive data;
• means (61, 62, 67, 69, DNS) for determining readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data;
• means (66, 67) for sending a first response message (47) to the messaging server (MMSC) in response to said first inquiry (41), the first response message comprising information on the readiness of said terminal (MS) to receive data.