Existing implementations of Mobile Messaging are based on closed and proprietary systems, services and devices. End-to-end transmission of delivery of messages requires smooth interoperability among networks, service providers, and devices. This is accomplished by means of protocols, which define the required interoperability. However, today's Mobile Messaging solutions are based on protocols which are closed and proprietary to the networks and/or service providers, and which cannot interoperate with other networks. Therefore the message centers and devices for a particular Mobile Messaging solution do not interoperate with those for a different solution and/or network.
While RIM's Blackberry(tm) service provides a model for wireless messaging, its closed design inhibits its adoption by the industry at large.
The current status of the industry is illustrated in Figure 3, which shows the interoperability relationships among various systems, networks, and devices. As the figure shows, each Mobile Messaging system is closed and unable to interoperate with the other systems.
