Using SMS to Transfer Small Data Packets during Periods of High Workload on Mobile Data Networks

This paper proposes an SMS-based platform for transferring small data packets, allowing mobile applications to operate even in situations in which the data traffic over mobile data networks is unavailable or under congestion. We first conduct a workload characterization of a Brazilian mobile network during recent large-scale events to verify calls and SMS usage patterns at such events. This characterization pointed out that voice calls and SMS work relatively well in these large-scale events, despite frequent reports from users about the data network congestion. As both transmission and reception of SMSes tend to remain in operation even during network overload, we propose in this paper the usage of SMSes to transfer small data packets during such periods. Thus we will keep key mobile applications transferring data even during periods of high workload or unavailability of the mobile network. We believe that this work could improve users' experience during large scale events and similar situations where mobile data networks are under congestion or unavailable.