Frequently Asked Questions

77we System Enhancements

Q1: As a consumer, does it cost me to use your service?
A: Only standard text messaging rates apply.

Q2: What phone carrier services work with 77we?
A: 77we has been certified to work with all phone models that are text-enabled and provided by the following mobile phone carriers: Boost, AT&T Cingular Direct, Cellular One, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, VirginMobile, US Cellular, Alltel and Tier 2/3 Carrier Groups, Appalachian Wireless (East Kentucky Networks), Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular One of East Central Illinois, Immix (PC Management), Revol Wireless, Unicel (Rural Cellular Corporation), West Central Wireless, Centennial Wireless and Associated Carrier Group Cellcom, Cellular South, nTelos, Cox. Cricket...

Q3: Where does your service work?
A: The 77we Short Message Service (SMS) on Custom Short Code 64842 is available within the United States, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. Feature set 2 is avaible for Globally use with the http Url 2d QR codes.

Q4: If a problem occurs with a promotion, who do I contact?
A: Email 77we. support@77we.com or call 800.517.2094

Q5: I want to create a coupon or promotion through 77we to promote my business. What do I do?
A: 77we is a subscription service; you can simply subscribe and start today. Or you can contact 77we at 77we.sales@77we.com to purchase a one off code and they can put you in touch with an account owner in your area.

Q6: How does 77we work for me as a consumer?
A: It provides you a simple, convenient and fun way to earn value with your phone.

Q7: Will my phone number be distributed out to telemarketers?
A: No, your phone number is kept confidential. Your phone number is only used to identify a valid response, and prevents you from multiple participation of the same code. Each coupon code can only be accessed once.

Q8: Will I keep receiving text messages from 77we that will potentially increase my phone bill?
A: No, each of your replies is a single transaction. This means when you send a text message to obtain the offer you see in print, we send you what the program is promoting, nothing else. We call this Opt-in, what you Opt-in for is what you get, that's it. Only your standard text messaging rates apply.

Q9: What is the point of this service?
A: To make media convenient and interactive in today's digital era including articles, coupons, promotions, polls, and just about anything you can think of!

Q10: How can I be sure this is not a scam?
A: 77we takes pride in the integrity of our products. We welcome any questions or concerns you have regarding our products and services and encourage you to visit our current clients' websites to see how 77we is working for them. 77we is in compliance with MMA guidelines and anti-Spam laws as they apply to text messages and the only charges consumers receive are standard text messaging fees from their service provider.

Q11: Can I participate in a promotion more than once?
A: It is largely dependent on how the advertisers setup the promotion; if you are not allowed to get it more than once, the reply message will let you know.

Q12: What is a "Text to Win" Promotion?
A: It is where you text in to win the offered item in the ad and your phone number registers you to win the featured item. In most cases, you also receive in your registration reply message a discount mobile coupon just for registering. If it is a text to win promotion and you win, a second and last message will be sent notifying that you are a winner and will contain contact information.

Q13: What is an Opt-in/Opt-out Text Alert Program?
A: You as the consumer have the choice to be notified via text message from a certain retailer regarding, for example, their weekly or monthly special. This is known as the opt-in. To participate, a special code will be offered from retailers that can be acted on by consumers to opt-in to be notified about their specials. If you later decide you no longer wish to receive the promotional texts, just text message the same code and you will be opted out of their program.

Q14: What was the logic behind creating this technology (the "two-way" communication)?
A: To enhance the value of print. 77we's core mission is to enhance the value proposition of print for advertisers. We develop technologies to reduce the cost of print through automation, autoplate, autotransfer and wider, faster presses. 77we was founded on making print interactive and providing tools that enhance print's value. The two-way interaction provides real time metrics.

It is important to note that 77we tools are for all media applications, including publishers and advertisers. We develop the tools and features for all to use to access through a subscription service. Therefore, publishers, advertisers or anyone for that matter can white label the 77we tools as their brand. 77we does not provide any promotional items or compete with customers using the service.

Q15: How does it work? The users can text, type or scan codes they see in print, but then what?
A: Account users of the 77we system create promotional codes that are designed to work with text messaging (SMS) or direct to internet (http). That means all cell phones in the USA can participate with the advertiser's promotions via text messaging. i.e., text 1Coffee to 64842. Today ~ 80% of all phone subscribers use SMS. Account users can also utilize the 2D bar code with the code number under it in their print ad. The consumer can still just text the code they see under the 2D bar code, or scan a code via a free 3rd party open market scanning software. See link at our website, under downloads that simplifies the SMS or Http use.

A differentiating point of our program is that you are not dependent on the 2D code; therefore the consumer does not have to download anything to participate. We leave it optional to enhance the participation with a phone scanner. In addition, there is no cost to the consumer to use the program other than their standard text messaging plan or rates.

Q16: Why would publishers want to use 77we?
A: Making static products interactive leads to the capturing of and subsequent use of consumer metrics. The interactive features we enjoy today on the internet can also be realized from print. Print is a web in itself, and the cell phone is the new mouse. Therefore, anything we can do today on the internet with a mouse, we should be able to do in print. The value for publishers is unlimited.

Q17: What are the benefits?
A: In today's market advertising needs to cross many touch points, and our program opens a new dimension. It provides tools to make print more relevant to the digital consumer, provides two-way interaction, tools for call to action with various fulfillments, tools to collect consumer metrics with fulfillment methods, via phone, e-mail and mail. The applications today are compelling, but the ongoing possibilities for print are endless.

Q18: How can they monetize it?
A: There are at many ways publishers can monetize it.

They can resell the service to their advertisers, i.e., would you like to make your static ad interactive?
They can up-charge their pay/click rate
They can reuse / sell demographic data
They can sell 3rd party text ads,
They can earn a residual commission for any referral account brought on.
Etc.

Q19: When was this service launched?
A: It was launched Dec-09

Q20: What are the costs for using 77we?
A: Please see our "Product Suite" pages for pricing for your needs. If you have any questions, contact us today!

More about SMS...

What Is SMS?

Short Message Service (SMS) is the ability to send and receive text messages to and from mobile telephones. The initial standards were first discussed in the early 1980s but the world’s first commercial SMS service by Radiolinja Oy in Finland was not introduced until 1992. SMS was created as part of the GSM Phase 1 standard.

Each short message is up to 160 characters* in length. The 160 characters can comprise of words, numbers, or punctuation symbols. Short messages can also be non-text based such as binary.

The Short Message Service is a store and forward service, this means that messages are not sent directly to the recipient but via a network SMS Centre. This enables messages to be delivered to the recipient if their phone is not switched on or if they are out of coverage at the time the message was sent - so called asynchronous messaging just like email. Confirmation of message delivery is another feature and means the sender can receive a return message notifying them whether the short message has been delivered or not. In some circumstances multiple short messages can be concatenated (stringing several short messages together.

* The actual limit of size of SMS is 160 characters if Latin alphabets are used. If non-Latin alphabets like Chinese or Arabic are used, the limit is 70 characters.

What is a SMS Application Server?

SMS Application Server is a software tool that allows configuration and deployment of mobile messaging applications.

A SMS Application Server has inbuilt connectors for mobile enabling of enterprise information from various sources like:

- Database: Using SQL queries
- ERP: Using tools like BAPI for SAP R/3 etc or using database connector.
- Web Server: Using HTTP(S), Telnet etc
- Email Server: POP3, SMTP, IMAP etc.
- Enterprise Network: Using WMI, ADSI, Telnet etc.

SMS Application Server allow deployment of various types of mobile messaging applications like:

- Query response (Info on demand)
- Static & Dynamic Content Broadcasts
- Manual & Scheduled Content Broadcasts
- Mobile Email Notifications etc

How does SMS work?

Short message service is a mechanism of delivery of short messages over the mobile networks. It is a store and forward way of transmitting messages to and from mobiles. The message (text only) from the sending mobile is stored in a central short message center (SMSC) which then forwards it to the destination mobile.

The figure below shows a typical organization of network elements in a GSM network supporting SMS.

The SMSC (Short Message Service Center) is the entity which does the job of store and forward of messages to and from the mobile station. The SME (Short Message Entity), which is typically a mobile phone or a GSM modem, can be located in the fixed network or a mobile station, receives and sends short messages.

The SMS GMSC (SMS gateway MSC) is a gateway MSC that can also receive short messages. The gateway MSC is a mobile network’s point of contact with other networks. On receiving the short message from the short message center, GMSC uses the SS7 network to interrogate the current position of the mobile station form the HLR, the home location register.

HLR is the main database in a mobile network. It holds information of the subscription profile of the mobile and also about the routing information for the subscriber, i.e. the area (covered by a MSC) where the mobile is currently situated. The GMSC is thus able to pass on the message to the correct MSC.

MSC (Mobile Switching Center) is the entity in a GSM network which does the job of switching connections between mobile stations or between mobile stations and the fixed network.

A VLR (Visitor Location Register) corresponds to each MSC and contains temporary information about the mobile, information like mobile identification and the cell (or a group of cells) where the mobile is currently situated. Using information form the VLR the MSC is able to switch the information (short message) to the corresponding BSS (Base Station System, BSC + BTSs), which transmits the short message to the mobile. The BSS consists of transceivers, which send and receive information over the air interface, to and from the mobile station. This information is passed over the signaling channels so the mobile can receive messages even if a voice or data call is going on.

What is GSM?

GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) is a digital mobile telephone system that is widely used in Europe and other parts of the world. GSM uses a variation of time division multiple access (TDMA) and is the most widely used of the three digital wireless telephone technologies (TDMA, GSM, and CDMA). GSM digitizes and compresses data, then sends it down a channel with two other streams of user data, each in its own time slot. GSM uses three frequency bands.

GSM 900 - operates in the 900 MHz frequency range and is the most common in Europe and most of the world.
GSM 1800 - operates in the 1800 MHz frequency range and is found in a growing number of countries already using GSM 900.
GSM 1900 (also called PCS (Personal Communication Services) 1900) - is used in the United States and Canada.

GSM is the de facto wireless telephone standard in Europe. GSM is available in more than 200 countries, according to the GSM MoU Association. Since many GSM network operators have roaming agreements with foreign operators, users can often continue to use their mobile phones when they travel to other countries.

What is WAP?

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) is a specification for a set of communication protocols to standardize the way that wireless devices, such as cellular telephones and radio transceivers, can be used for Internet access, including e-mail, the World Wide Web, newsgroups, and Internet Relay Chat (IRC). While Internet access has been possible in the past, different manufacturers have used different technologies. In the future, devices and service systems that use WAP will be able to interoperate.

The WAP layers are:

- Wireless Application Environment (WAE)
- Wireless Session Layer (WSL)
- Wireless Transport Layer Security (WTLS)
- Wireless Transport Layer (WTP)

The WAP was conceived by four companies: Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, and Unwired Planet (now Phone.com). The Wireless Markup Language (WML) is used to create pages that can be delivered using WAP.

There are other approaches to an industry standard besides WAP, including i-Mode.

What is SMSC?

SMSC is an abbreviation for the words Short Message Service Centre. An SMSC provides a number of services, in particular the regulation of the transfer of text messages between mobile phones. When a user sends a text message (SMS message) to a recipient, the phone actually sends the message to the SMSC. The SMSC stores the message and then delivers it to the destination recipient when they are available. The SMSC usually has a configurable time limit for how long it will store the message, and the user can usually specify a shorter time limit if they want.

Additionally the message centre will take care of any charging that needs to take place. Generally speaking there is at least one Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) per network. For bulk transmission and reception of SMS messages, SMSC's have conventional, fixed, network interfaces as well as mobile network interfaces. A number of protocols have been defined to support this sort of wire-line access. SMPP is the most commonly used of these protocols.

What is GPRS?

General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) is a packet-based wireless communication service that promises data rates from 56 up to 114 Kbps and continuous connection to the Internet for mobile phone and computer users. The higher data rates will allow users to take part in video conferences and interact with multimedia Web sites and similar applications using mobile handheld devices as well as notebook computers. GPRS is based on Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication and will complement existing services such circuit-switched cellular phone connections and the Short Message Service (SMS).

In theory, GPRS packet-based service should cost users less than circuit-switched services since communication channels are being used on a shared-use, as-packets-are-needed basis rather than dedicated only to one user at a time. It should also be easier to make applications available to mobile users because the faster data rate means that middleware currently needed to adapt applications to the slower speed of wireless systems will no longer be needed. As GPRS becomes available, mobile users of a virtual private network (VPN) will be able to access the private network continuously rather than through a dial-up connection.

GPRS will also complement Bluetooth, a standard for replacing wired connections between devices with wireless radio connections. In addition to the Internet Protocol (IP), GPRS supports X.25, a packet-based protocol that is used mainly in Europe. GPRS is an evolutionary step toward Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) and Universal Mobile Telephone Service (UMTS).

What is the maximum length of a SMS?

Each short message is up to 160 characters in length. The 160 characters can comprise of words, numbers, or punctuation symbols.

The actual limit of size of SMS is 160 characters if Latin alphabets are used. If non-Latin alphabets like Chinese or Arabic are used, the limit is 70 characters.

Most mobile phones these days however support "long messages". When enabled, long message feature splits up messages longer than 160 characters in to multiple messages. If the recipient mobile phone has long message feature enabled then on reciving the split up messages it would join them together and display as a single message. If the long message feature is not enabled in the recipient phone then it would be displayed as multiple messages.

What is a GSM Modem?

A GSM Modem modulates outgoing digital signals from a computer or other digital device to signals for a GSM network and demodulates the incoming GSM signal and converts it to a digital signal for the computer or other digital device.

Strictly speaking a GSM Modem can be considered as a GSM phone without the conventional keypad and display and that it is not battery operated as the conventional GSM phone. However, most GSM phones of today have the modem functionality inbuilt into them which allows them to be interfaced with a PC and to be used as a GSM Modem.

A PC or any other digital device uses AT Commands to interact with a GSM modem. AT Commands allow a host of functions to be performed viz sending/receiving SMS, Making a voice call, Accepting a incoming voice call, Modem configuration etc.

What is a SMS Gateway?

SMS Gateway is a interface between software applications mobile networks. An SMS Gateway allows interfacing software applications to send and/or receive SMS messages over mobile network.

Typically a SMS Gateway uses either one or more GSM modems or a direct network connection (HTTP(S), SMPP, CIMD etc) with the SMSC to send and receive messages to and from mobile networks.

Software applications generally interface with the SMS Gateway either using ASCII text files, XML/SOAP or database tables. A good SMS gateway will provide the developer with a ActiveX component or a API to interact with the gateway to read/write SMS messages, thus reducing the development time for implementing mobile messaging features in software applications.

How many SMS can be sent per minute using a GSM modem?

The exact number of SMS messages that can be sent or received using a GSM modem depends on depends on various factors like GSM network quality (signal strength, network congestion etc) and quality of GSM modem used etc. However, it is safe to assume that GSM modems can send/receive 8 to 10 SMS messages per minute.

Who invented SMS?

There are numerous explanations for how text messaging was developed.

One involves early paging systems such as MBS (introduced in Sweden in 1978) and Minicall (introduced in 1985). Anyone with MBS could use their own phone to send a message to someone else who had a portable receiver, says ?ten M?italo.

Like MBS, Minicall also offered one-way transmission of groups of digits and text messages: they were sent from the base station without the mobile being able to acknowledge reception. For marketing reasons the text function was not implemented in Minicall until 1988.

The embryo of text messaging could also be found in NMT, “a forerunner for a simple data service of the SMS type, laughingly referred to as ‘poor man’s data’”, says Thomas Beijer. Thomas Haug describes how, during the work on specifications for NMT 450, there were also ideas “about linking fax machines to mobiles, which it was felt could be practical for journalists in the field, for instance, who needed to communicate with news desks”.

Beijer adds: “This is one of the favorite talking points in the history of radio. Over the years there have been hundreds of ideas about how to send text messages using radio. Examples include maritime telex (MARITEX) and Inmarsat. I think you could say that whenever a new radio system has been invented there have been more or less fruitful discussions about how it could be used to transmit text. My conclusion is that as a concept the idea is almost a century old. The real challenge was to take it from the conceptual level to an application that works technologically and commercially.”

‘Text clicker’

One account that has received widespread circulation is that three Finnish engineers invented text messaging over a few beers in a pizzeria in Copenhagen one summer evening in 1982. Matti Makkonen, who played an active role in both the NMT process and the meetings of the GSM group in 1982 and 1983, gives the following account:

The NMT group had set up a separate Nordic working group, FMK (Framtida mobila kommunikationer, or Future Mobile Communications) to study the possibilities of a digital mobile system. This group met in four nordic countries between 1982 and 1985 and then continued its work in the corresponding GSM working groups.

Makkonen had arrived together with Juhani Tapiola and Seppo Tiainen, his colleagues from the Finnish telecommunications agency, the evening before the FMK meeting, and they were sitting in a pizzeria preparing for it. “The question we asked ourselves was what practical applications could be interesting in a digital system,” Makkonen says.

A starting point was the paging system that had recently become popular. A small display allowed the subscriber to see the number of the caller trying to contact them. In principle, it could include text as well. “But the only way to send text was to ring the operator first and ask for the message to be sent using the operator’s equipment.”

“We sat there discussing the route taken by a text message from a mobile through the paging system. Juhani had brought a programmable calculator with him. We realized that the numerical keypad could also be used for letters. Then it struck us that the paging system was not needed, it was just a detour. There was nothing to stop the mobile phone itself from receiving a text message.”

The three then began lightheartedly to make a list of different uses text messages could be put to. They could see that messages could be sent and answered without anyone else being disturbed and that messages could be read and answered when it suited the recipient. They invented a Finnish word for their innovation: “tekstin?ellin” (roughly “text clicker”).

It is unclear what happened next to Juhani’s, Seppo’s and Matti’s idea.

SMS

It is clear that the Short Message Service (SMS) used extensively today all around the world was developed during the work on GSM.

Two basic ideas were presented. The Nordic representatives proposed a system to deal with messages based on what was known as the X.400 protocol, an address format for e-mail. The Franco-German representatives proposed a method that would use the signaling channel in the mobile system.

This latter suggestion had its roots in a Franco-German cooperative project in 1983–84 that led to the extended Franco-German involvement in GSM work. The proposal was first presented to the GSM group at a meeting in Oslo in February 1985.

The Franco-German concept was then processed in the GSM (GLOBAL SYSTEM MESSAGING) organization and its technical specifications laid down in a small working group that started in 1987. The first chairman of this group was a Norwegian, Finn Trosby, who said in 2009: “There is no individual or company that can claim to be the ‘father’ or ‘creator’ of any service or important function produced in the course of the development work that went into GSM. The GSM project was multinational cooperation at its best.”

Matti Makkonen has been referred to in different contexts as the “father of text messaging” but he rejects this epithet. “The SMS function is the result of extensive and open international cooperation, and GSM documents prove that it is based on the Franco-German proposal,” he says.

Seppo Tianien adds that in the 1990s, SMS was also specified for NMT and was used for instance in Poland and Russia, but not for NMT in the Scandinavian countries. “Nokia’s range included small handheld NMT mobiles at the end of the 1990s. From the user’s point of view they dealt with SMS in the same way as GSM telephones.”