Amber™ USSD Gateway Description: Amber™ USSD Gateway
Client: Pattern Matched Technologies™ System: Amber™ USSD
P AT T E R N M ATC H E D T E C H N OL O G I E S ™ © 2 0 0 3 – 2 0 1 4
PMT_AMR_R2_PD_ 2014-03-26_V2.2
Document Approval
Position
Name
Date
Director - CEO
Markus Schorn
Director - MD
Henning Viljoen
Director - IT Services
Gustav Potgieter
Signature
Document History Version
Author
Date
Change Details
2.1
PMT/OM
2014-01-17
Updated to the new template
2.2
PMT/KA
2014-03-26
Updated template
Copyright © Pattern Matched Technologies™ 2014. All rights reserved. This document contains confidential and proprietary information that is the property of Pattern Matched Technologies™ and/or its clients. The information may not be copied, modified, circulated, distributed or used in any manner without the prior written permission of Pattern Matched Technologies™. For additional copies of the document, please contact Pattern Matched Technologies™.
PMT_AMR_R2_PD_ 2014-03-26_V2.2
Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Unique Features ........................................................................................................................................... 5 3. Integration .................................................................................................................................................... 6 4. Software Solution ......................................................................................................................................... 7 4.1. Tier 1 – USSD Core ................................................................................................................................. 8 4.2. Tier 2 – Remote Interfaces and Enhanced Functional Modules ........................................................ 8 4.2.1. Remote Interfaces........................................................................................................................... 8 4.2.2. Rating for USSD .............................................................................................................................. 8 4.2.3. Prepaid Charging Module for USSD .............................................................................................. 8 4.3. Tier 3 – Basic Services .......................................................................................................................... 9 4.3.1. Amber Call Me Back Module .......................................................................................................... 9 4.4. Tier 4 – Line of Business Applications ................................................................................................. 9 4.4.1. Emerald Balance Enquiry for Prepaid Subscribers ...................................................................... 9 4.4.2. Emerald Prepaid Voucher Redemption ...................................................................................... 10 4.4.3. Emerald USSD Airtime Sales Module .......................................................................................... 10 5. Routing ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 6. Programming Interfaces ............................................................................................................................ 12 6.1. Amber Remote HTTP Interface........................................................................................................... 12 6.2. Amber Remote TCP Interface............................................................................................................. 12 7. License and Capacity ................................................................................................................................. 13 8. Hardware Description ................................................................................................................................ 14 9. Glossary ...................................................................................................................................................... 18
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1. Introduction This document is intended as an overview of the Amber USSD platform focusing on integration and architecture aspects. Amber enables 3rd parties to deploy innovative mobile applications such as mobile banking and customer care through standards compliant interfaces. Amber connects directly to the core network and receives calls from subscribers dialing services such as *150#. It processes the call and displays text messages or menus directly to any handset and includes the ability to bill prepaid and post-paid customers. Amber is a highly reliable platform, made to run 24/7 and provides the following services: •
An interface to either the HLR or another USSD gateway to receive calls
•
Core routing and session management
•
Interfaces to USSD applications through a number of interface modules such as ARHI, ARTI and CORBA.
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2. Unique Features Amber has several unique features that add a lot of value to any operator’s services. Support for multiple gateway Interfaces to the underlying carrier’s network via SS7 using alternate transports such as TCP/IP and XML; High availability through native support for load balancing and failover Support for multiple application transports, for example TCP/IP and HTTP An open interface to both prepaid and postpaid billing systems with support for CDR records and also direct interfaces to prepaid billing systems Amber is unique in that it supports direct charging for prepaid subscribers via an interface to the IN platform. It calculates an appropriate charge, pre-authorises it and deducts the price from the subscriber’s account.
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3. Integration The following diagram illustrates the major integration points for the Amber USSD platform:
IN GW 2 5
HLR
Amber™ USSD Core
1
4
Billing
3 GW OSS
Figure 1. System Connectivity 1.
SS7 MAP Interface to the HLR via either SIGTRAN or E1 transports
2. Optional interface to the Intelligent Network (“IN”) Platform for prepaid billing 3. SNMP Interface to the Operator’s Operations and Support infrastructure 4. Interface to postpaid billing and revenue assurance systems via CDR files 5. Alternative lower layer connectivity to third-party gateways Amber supports integration in the following ways: •
HLR Interface: The HLR forwards the USSD messages via the STP to the Amber SS7 stack. The Amber MAP gateway performs the role of GSM SCF as described in the standards.
•
SS7 E1 interface: By default, USSD uses SS7 MAP over E1. It may also be configured for SIGTRAN (SS7 over IP using SCTP).
•
Billing: Amber produces detailed CDR/TDR records indicating the subscriber’s MSISDN, application invoked, number of iterations, associated BCOS value, calculated charge, prepaid flag etc. The CDRs are formatted in a fixed-width file and must be pulled from or pushed to the billing system. In the case of prepaid subscribers, the charges will already be deducted from the PPS and there is no need to process the prepaid records in the billing system.
•
Monitoring: Amber uses an extensive SNMP MIB implementation with alarms and performance monitors.
•
3rd party gateways: Amber’s lower transport interface is modular and can easily be adapted to interface with existing USSD and other signaling gateways that lacks billing and/or application interfaces.
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4. Software Solution An Amber solution consists of components selected from Tiers 1 to 4 of the standard Amber solution. •
Tier 1 – This is the core Amber system consisting of the logical components that connect to the core SS7 network and have the ability to manage USSD sessions. It forms the basis for all other functions. Tier 1 is part of all Amber deployments.
•
Tier 2 – This tier provides specialised functions such as specific remote interfaces, provisioning capabilities and security. Functional blocks for prepaid charging and rating also form part of the options available for customers.
•
Tier 3 – The modules in this tier provide USSD specific applications and depend on Tiers 1 and 2 for specific services.
•
Tier 4 – These are line of business applications that either complements functionality in other systems or support business cases. They form part of larger systems.
The logical composition of the Amber solutions available to customers is shown in the following diagram: Tier 3 Modular CMB
EBE
Amber™ USSD Core
Emerald™
EVR
SS7 STack
AIR ARHI Tier 4 Modular
Tier 1 Solution
Remote Interface Tier 2 Solution
Figure 2. Amber Tiers 1 through 4
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4.1. Tier 1 – USSD Core The Amber Core consists of three layers, namely •
Transport layer
•
Session layer
•
Application layer
The transport layer is responsible for interfacing with other USSD gateways or with the core GSM network. It consists of protocol and session modules that implement native interfaces to each USSD standard. The core session layer manages individual USSD session and includes logic for determining the correct application layer endpoint for a given USSD request. It also includes support hooks for the real-time rating and billing of prepaid subscribers. The Application Layer provides actual functionality that subscribers can use. Amber support a fully modular application layer and nodes are available for locally hosted applications or for passing USSD requests on to other systems.
4.2. Tier 2 – Remote Interfaces and Enhanced Functional Modules 4.2.1. Remote Interfaces Amber supports two interfaces for integration purposes: •
ARHI over TCP or
•
ARHI over HTTP
4.2.2. Rating for USSD The Amber Rating Module for USSD provides the capability to calculate a price linked to a subscriber’s USSD profile and classes of service linked in the system. The Rating module produces CDR records for post-paid billing or the input required for charging prepaid subscribers through the complementary Prepaid Charging Module. The Amber Rating Module provides the following business advantages: •
Allows the operator to charge for value-added services.
•
Supports a flexible pricing model based on subscriber profile and/or service accessed.
4.2.3. Prepaid Charging Module for USSD The Amber Prepaid Charging Module is an extension of the Amber Rating module for USSD. It makes it possible to charge subscribers for the access to USSD or for additional services. It integrates directly with IN platform and authorises charges directly and in real-time on the IN Platform. The Prepaid Charging Module provides the following business advantages: Provides the ability to directly charge prepaid customers for services such as balance enquiries Enables Premium Rated USSD services
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4.3. Tier 3 – Basic Services 4.3.1. Amber Call Me Back Module The Amber CMB module enables a new business model whereby subscribers without sufficient funds on their mobile phone account can request another subscriber on the same network to call them back, without having to pay for the notification message. Subscribers access this function via a simple USSD phase 1 call.
Call-Me-Back is an important revenue generator, enabling phone calls between subscribers that otherwise would not have occurred. Subscribers access the CMB module by dialing a USSD short code from their mobile handsets. The basic USSD string includes a short code such as 123 and the MSISDN of the target subscriber. Amber interprets this request and sends an SMS to the target subscriber requesting him or her to call the originator of the request. If the source subscriber registered a name, this name will be included in the SMS message.
The Amber CMB module allows subscribers to dial a USSD short code that prompts them to enter a text string that will be used to identify the subscriber in the CMB SMS message. This text string will be included in the SMS message to the destination MSISDN when the subscriber requests a CMB operation. Amber stores the subscriber details in a highly available real-time database. In its most basic mode, the CMB Module does not charge subscribers for calls. It is possible to connect the CMB to a charging gateway via a customisation to pre-authorise the Call Me Back operation. It is important to know that in most cases prepaid subscriber will not have any funds available with which to charge for the CMB request. The CMB module tracks the number of requests per MSISDN on a daily basis. This allows the operator to specify the number of free calls to allow before charging the subscriber. If the limit has been exceeded, the CMB module can either reject the request or charge for it via the interface to the charging gateway.
4.4. Tier 4 – Line of Business Applications 4.4.1. Emerald Balance Enquiry for Prepaid Subscribers Emerald Balance Enquiry is a available as a Line of Business extension on Tier 4 of Amber USSD. It provides subscribers with the means to quickly determine their airtime balance. The Amber Balance Enquiry Module enables subscribers and airtime dealers to retrieve account balances from either an IN Platform or from Emerald Real-time using a simple USSD request. The advantages of this approach are: •
Subscribers can access their balances directly without placing load on the SMS-C and without requiring costly SMS-C licenses
•
Dealers can store the phone number to retrieve balances directly in their phone book
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•
The system will prompt for a PIN, increasing security
•
Turn-around time is reduced
In excess of 75% of the SMS messages processed by an Emerald Airtime Management system are prepaid balance enquiries. Operators simultaneously increase the overall system capacity while reducing SMS-C license costs by implementing USSD balance enquiry in their network. The EBE Module can either communicate with the IN directly or re-use the Emerald Real-time IN integration. In cases where the EBE connects via Emerald, operators can save licensing costs, as this module does not require additional connection licenses. The EBE Module connects to the following network elements: •
The IN Platform for validating MSISDN numbers and retrieving prepaid balances
•
An SNMP Manager for monitoring statistics and receiving alarms
•
A USSD gateway such as the Amber USSD Media gateway for receiving USSD requests
Emerald™ Realtime
IN
SNMP
4.4.2. Emerald Prepaid Voucher Redemption Emerald Prepaid Voucher Redemption is available as a Line of Business extension on Tier 4 of Amber USSD. It provides subscribers with the means to redeem and load prepaid vouchers to the IN-platform.
4.4.3. Emerald USSD Airtime Sales Module The USSD Airtime Sales Module for Emerald is tightly integrated with the larger Emerald airtime distribution system. It provides the ability for Emerald Dealers to interact directly with the system through USSD. The module complements the existing functionality of Emerald with functions such as the following: •
Quick Top-up – Enables a dealer to transfer airtime to a subscriber with one single phase 1 invoke as illustrated to the right.
•
Mini Statement – Dealers can view the last few transactions on their handsets
•
Balance Enquiry – Provides access to the dealer’s available limits and airtime account balance.
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5. Routing Routing is the process for mapping a specific USSD request to an application module that can handle and process the request.
EVR
AIR
Figure 3. Routing The primary function of the Amber Core is routing. This is the process responsible for directing a specific USSD request to the correct application that should process it. Amber routes requests primarily on Service Code. Every application is associated with one or more USSD short codes. The Amber Core determines the correct application based on the elements configured and will also maintain the state and translation parameters for the duration of the USSD session.
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6. Programming Interfaces 6.1. Amber Remote HTTP Interface The Amber Remote HTTP Interface (ARHI) translates the internal Amber session messages into HTTP making it suitable for 3rd parties to easily integrate USSD applications. •
An ARHI application is defined by the following parameters:
•
An HTTP URL to invoke (IP Address, Base URL and TCP Port)
•
A description
•
A Billing token
The following diagram shows the basic elements of the ARHI interface as involved in a simple USSD request:
EVR
PHP ASP JSP
AIR
