Quality of Service

Underpinning the reliability of the aql service lies a resilient, multi-site presence both inside and outside of london. Each site, Figure 1, has multiple connections to the mobile networks and also multiple connections to transit providers and also a resilient ring connection to each other site.

aql is a RIPE LIR, enabling it to plan and expand it's network as necessary in order to support expansion and resilience.

aql manages projects on behalf of many of the top 300 UK corporates and also government, specialising in alerting and high-throughput messaging. Our direct network connections ensure minimal latency and maximum throughput.

Figure 1 Network Schematic of the aql network.

In order to provide a high quality of service (QoS), we queue and prioritise messages based on volume and requirement. This enables us to provide the most competitive price and the correct level of service for your needs.

Once messages are submitted to our systems, their delivery route is determined by the type of messages purchased and the priority set on the account.

Generally, high volume users benefit from a lower cost per unit message. As a result, we work on small profit margins. Usually, the most important factor to SMS bulk marketing clients is price, rather than delivery time. As a result, they are added to a high volume queue. This means that they do not "hold up" any important messages on our systems (such as those sent out as alerts by the nhs or city traders for example).

If you are a low volume user but require low latency messaging, we can upgrade you to our high priority queue at no extra charge. Low volume means less than 5000 messages per month.

If you wish to conduct SMS marketing or alerts into the UK, we offer a FAST UK QUEUE and GATEWAY SMSC, capable of rates nearing 100 messages/second. This option carries a premium cost per message because it routes via UK SMSC's which pay internetworking fees to enter into the UK networks.

If you are wanting low latency into the UK, we would recommend purchasing UK premium messages. Why? Because when bulk messages are sent to a UK SMSC (ie a uk telecoms provider), messages are often prioritised depending on whether they are external messages or not. If they are external messages, if an internetworking fee is paid, they will be given priority. Unfortunately, due to the high costs of internetworking, we cannot offer ultra-low-cost messaging via this route, but for low volume users or for essential marketing campaigns, this is the correct solution. Please talk to us if you need more advice regarding the solution that's best for you.