The Melrose Labs SMPP Router is a high-performance, scalable solution engineered for telecoms and messaging providers who require uncompromising reliability, flexibility, and precision. Capable of processing up to 5,000 transactions per second, it delivers intelligent routing for both Mobile Terminated (MT) and Mobile Originated (MO) SMS based on SMPP session attributes, destination address elements (such as country code, NDC, and MNC), and operator-specific logic.
As we expand the capabilities of our messaging platforms, SMPP Router emerges as a foundational component for demanding environments. Whether routing by operator, geography, or PDU-level protocol fields, it handles complex message flows with ease. With support for Proxy and Multiplex modes, carrier-grade throughput, and seamless integration with observability tools like Prometheus and Grafana, the platform is built for operational excellence. This is not a GUI-driven gateway—it’s a purpose-built, backend-first router designed for professionals who prioritise capability over cosmetics. In an evolving landscape of protocols, SMS remains critical—and SMPP Router ensures it retains its strategic value.
Features
Key features include:
- Optional ESME authentication for bind control
- Advanced routing logic for MT and MO traffic
- ESME-to-ESME and SMSC-to-SMSC bridging
- Load balancing between ESMEs and downstream targets
- MSISDN lookups (HTTP-based) and message content modification
- PDU-based message rejection and time-based routing rules
- Proxy and multiplex modes for flexible deployment
- Full monitoring support via Prometheus and Grafana
- Multipart message reassembly and automatic retry on NAK
Feature availability may vary by release version.
With configurable routing tables and support for operator-aware logic using either NDC or MNC, SMPP Router is engineered to perform where it matters most. It’s built for backend integration, prioritising efficiency, throughput, and reliability—ideal for environments demanding industrial-grade SMS routing without compromise.
Articles, posts and tutorials
To support adoption and deepen technical understanding, we are launching a series of educational articles highlighting the capabilities of the SMPP Router—beginning with a deep dive into MO SMS routing. These resources will benefit messaging engineers, operators, and integration specialists alike. A free, limited-time licence will be available to allow hands-on evaluation. Topics covered will include authentication, routing strategy, load balancing, monitoring, credit control, and more. Join us as we demonstrate how SMPP Router redefines intelligent SMS routing in today’s messaging networks.
Melrose Labs SMPP Router – Article Series
- Introduction to SMPP Router
An overview of the platform’s purpose, design philosophy, and deployment scenarios. - Routing Mobile Originated (MO) SMS
How MO SMS is routed to customer ESMEs using session and PDU fields. - Routing Mobile Terminated (MT) SMS to SMSC Targets
Techniques for routing MT SMS using destination address, country code, NDC, and MNC. - Authenticating Customer ESME Binds
Optional authentication strategies for securing ESME connections. - MSISDN Lookup Integration
Using HTTP-based lookups to enrich routing logic. - Message Content Modification at Runtime
When and how to alter message payloads based on defined rules. - Rejecting Messages Based on PDU Fields and Time Rules
Implementing conditional logic for traffic rejection. - Load Balancing for ESME-to-Target and Target-to-ESME Flows
Ensuring optimal distribution of messaging load. - Proxy and Multiplex Modes Explained
Deployment considerations and use cases for each mode. - Monitoring and Observability with Prometheus and Grafana
Metrics, dashboards, and operational insights. - Multipart Message Handling and Reassembly
Ensuring completeness and consistency in multi-part messaging. - Handling SubmitSMResp NAKs with Automatic Resubmission
Reliability features that enhance delivery success rates. - CDR Generation and Credit Control
Capturing detailed delivery records and enforcing usage policies. - Load Testing SMPP Router: Achieving 5000 TPS
Best practices for performance testing and benchmarking. - Routing Logic Configuration: NDC vs MNC and Operator Awareness
Choosing the right approach for accurate and efficient routing.
Trial
SMPP Router can either be installed using the instructions below or you can request that Melrose Labs provide you with a pre-installed SMPP Router on an AWS EC2 server. To request a pre-installed SMPP Router, please contact us .
Download
The Debian 12 build of SMPP Router can be downloaded below. Alternatively, it can be downloaded during the installation process.
Installation
Option 1: Automatic Installation
Run the following command on your Debian 12 server. It will update the system, install required dependencies,
download the latest version of SMPP Router, install it as a systemd
service, and start it:
sudo apt update && \
sudo apt install -y tar apache2-utils && \
wget https://melroselabs.com/repo/smpprouter/opMLSMPPRouter_1a98a28.tar.gz && \
tar -xzf opMLSMPPRouter_1a98a28.tar.gz && \
sudo ./install.sh
Option 2: Manual Installation
Alternatively, you may download the SMPP Router package and install it manually, configuring it according to your requirements
using tools such as systemd
, screen
, or tmux
.
Documentation
Documentation can be found at the following link: SMPP Router documentation
Benefits
SHB delivers high performance, reliability and flexibility::
- SMPP compatibility: Support for SMPP v3.4 and SMPP v5.0.
- Protocol translation: Converts each SMPP SubmitSM into a single HTTP POST or GET request.
- Delivery receipt handling.
- High throughput: Capable of up to 5000 SMS/sec.
- Customisable HTTP API layer.
Platforms, Services and Pricing
The SMPP Router is typically installed as an on-premises Linux build—ideal for organisations requiring full control over data and infrastructure — but a cloud-hosted version is also available on request, offering the same feature set, performance and security standards.
On-premises platforms
Melrose Labs will supply you with the necessary binaries and technical support to fulfil your required configuration. You provide the host on which the binaries are installed. Support will be provided by Melrose Labs to assist you with the installation of the platform.
When ordering, select a RedHat (suitable for Centos, SuSE Linux, etc) or Debian (suitable for Ubuntu, Mint, etc) build.
Price (one-off) | Limits | ||
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SMPP-HTTP Bridge | Documentation | ||
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Find out more | |
HTTP API Support:
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GBP 345 annual maintenance (optional; covers all licenses held)