TS 03.38 – GSM SMS Data Coding Scheme Specification
3GPP TS 03.38 is the 3GPP Technical Specification for GSM SMS Data Coding Scheme Specification. It is published in 3 releases (R96 to R98); the latest version is 7.2.0 in R98.
Defines SMS data coding schemes for GSM, including message classes, alphabet support, and compression. Specifies how messages are encoded, stored, and displayed across different device classes.
Releases and versions of TS 03.38
| Release | Latest version | Links |
|---|---|---|
| R98 | 7.2.0 | Read · Download (3GPP) |
| R97 | 6.0.1 | Read · Download (3GPP) |
| R96 | 5.6.1 | Read · Download (3GPP) |
Scope of TS 03.38
Category: Services (Messaging). Technology generation: 2G. Network layer: Services.
Who should read this specification?
- Network operators
- Device manufacturers
- Regulators and standards bodies
Implementation notes
Complexity level: Intermediate. Implementation difficulty: Medium.
Key technologies
Other specifications in the 03 series
- TS 03.32 Geographical Area Description (GAD) for GSM
- TS 03.33 Lawful Interception for Circuit Switched and GPRS
- TS 03.34 HSCSD Stage 2 Service Description
- TS 03.35 Immediate Service Termination (IST) Stage 2
- TS 03.39 SMSC to SME Interface Specifications
- TS 03.40 Point-to-Point Short Message Service (SMS)
- TS 03.41 Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) Technical Specification
- TS 03.42 Data Compression for SMS Messages
Related glossary terms
Related topics
Frequently asked questions
What is 3GPP TS 03.38?
3GPP TS 03.38 is the 3GPP Technical Specification for GSM SMS Data Coding Scheme Specification. Defines SMS data coding schemes for GSM, including message classes, alphabet support, and compression. Specifies how messages are encoded, stored, and displayed across different device classes.
Which 3GPP releases include TS 03.38?
TS 03.38 is published in 3 releases, from R96 to R98. The latest version on 3GPP Explorer is 7.2.0 (R98).
What category does TS 03.38 belong to?
TS 03.38 belongs to the Services (Messaging) category of 3GPP specifications. It applies to 2G networks.
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