I can comment more on how Hong Kong does Ported Numbers support. As Andreas stated, all the routing is done through SS7..but not the queries. Each operator (mobile [MNO] and fixed-line [FTN]) keeps track of which phone numbers are under their jurisdiction. They then forward the information to all the other operators every 12 hours. This info is incorporated into their backup databse and then pushed out to their production database. As a result, queries are done on the local database, eliminating the load on the SS7 network.
The OFfice of Telecommication Authority (OFTA) stipulated that the Ported Numbers database must be available to each operator. But there's no requirement to provide this information to non-operators. In addition, each operator claims their number database is their intellectual property. As a result, it's next to impossible to acquire the complete database unless: (1) your a licensed local operator (2) you have a number database of your own that you can share Operators do not sell the database to anyone. But, they will let you query their backup database for a FEE ($0.05 HKD per query was my cheapest quote). Some of the operators provide an SS7 query service (fast but usually only available to the international long distance [IDD] operators) and/or HTTP queries (slow and no guarantee of minimal response time). All the operators ban resale of the information queried from their database. For IDD operators that can't gain query access from a cheaper local operator with a number database, they are forced to get the service from the very expensive registry kept by PCCW (formerly Hong Kong Telecom). I would not be surprised if other countries implement the same senario. My advice would be to get VERY friendly with operator providing you with your access to their SMSC. They must have access to the Ported Numbers database for the SMS's destination country. Be ready to pay a fee and don't forget to cache your queries. See ya... d.c. **>From: Andreas Fink <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> **>Subject: Re: AW: patch **>Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 14:10:50 +0200 **> **>>Andreas Fink wrote: **>>> **>>> This is country specific. One possibility is to look up all network's **>>> HLR record to find which one responds to that number but its kinda **>>> tricky and only useful if done from a SMSC level (SS7). **>> **>>which is currently not possible for most of us Kannel production users **>>here, right?! **> **> **>Right. Without SS7 access, you wont be able to do it. **>If there's enough demand for this we could offer that as a service to **>the Kannel community. **> **> **>>I have read something about a law regulation at least for the german **>>"Regulierungsbeh?rde", but I don't remember if they suggested **>>something like an open MSISDN <-> Carrier query server. **> **>what I've seen from a case in Hongkong, they always do it in SS7 **>because mobile switches rely on those number lookup features. However **>the source of the information is always coming from some centralized **>/ decentralized synchronized database which all the carriers share in **>some way. Of course the people who have access directly to that **>database can use it this way without SS7 but then again, its country **>specific while the SS7 solution is not. **> **>-- **> **>Andreas Fink **>Fink-Consulting **> **>------------------------------------------------------------------ **>Tel: +41-61-6932730 Fax: +41-61-6932729 Mobile: +41-79-2457333 **>Address: A. Fink, Schwarzwaldallee 16, 4058 Basel, Switzerland **>E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage: http://www.finkconsulting.com **>------------------------------------------------------------------ **>Something urgent? Try http://www.smsrelay.com/ Nickname afink **>
