Mapping Between the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and Internet Mail
RFC 4356

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Network Working Group                                         R. Gellens
Request for Comments: 4356                                      Qualcomm
Category: Standards Track                                   January 2006

         Mapping Between the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
                           and Internet Mail

Status of This Memo

   This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
   Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
   Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
   and status of this protocol.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2006).

Abstract

   The cellular telephone industry has defined a service known as the
   Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).  This service uses formats and
   protocols that are similar to, but differ in key ways from, those
   used in Internet mail.

   One important difference between MMS and Internet Mail is that MMS
   uses headers that start with "X-Mms-" to carry a variety of user
   agent- and server-related information elements.

   This document specifies how to exchange messages between these two
   services, including mapping information elements as used in MMS
   X-Mms-* headers as well as delivery and disposition reports, to and
   from that used in SMTP and Internet message headers.

Gellens                     Standards Track                     [Page 1]
RFC 4356         Mapping Between MMS and Internet Mail      January 2006

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................2
      1.1. Scope ......................................................2
      1.2. Conventions Used in This Document ..........................3
      1.3. Definitions ................................................3
      1.4. Abbreviations ..............................................4
      1.5. Assumptions ................................................4
   2. Mapping Between MMS and Internet Mail ...........................4
      2.1. Mapping Specification ......................................5
           2.1.1. MMS to Internet Mail ................................5
           2.1.2. Internet Mail to MMS ................................5
           2.1.3. MMS Information Element Mappings ....................6
           2.1.4. Report Generation and Conversion ...................20
           2.1.5. Message Delivery ...................................27
   3. Security Considerations ........................................27
   4. IANA Considerations ............................................27
   5. Acknowledgements ...............................................27
   6. Normative References ...........................................27
   7. Informative References .........................................29

1.  Introduction

1.1.  Scope

   This document describes how to exchange messages between Multimedia
   Messaging Service (MMS) systems (as defined by [3GPP][3GPP2][OMA])
   and Internet mail systems (that is, [SMTP] and [Msg-Fmt]).  This
   includes the translation of message formats, message header elements,
   message delivery reports [DSN-Msg], and message disposition reports
   [MDN].

   The MMS architecture [Stage_2] and specifications [Stage_3] refer to
   interfaces as reference points named MMx.  For example, MM1 is the
   client-server interface, MM4 is the server-server interface, and MM3
   is an interface to "external" or non-MMS systems.  The specification
   in this document can be used for message exchange between any system
   that uses Internet message formats and protocols and an MMS system;
   from the perspective of the MMS system, reference point MM3 is used.

   This document includes support for voice messages specified by the
   Voice Profile for Internet Mail [VPIM].  The VPIM specification
   allows voice messages to be exchanged between voice mail systems
   using the Internet mail format [Msg-Fmt] and transported via [SMTP].
   Thus, the MMS MM3 interface supports the ability to exchange voice
   messages between an MMS system and a voice mail system.  Note that
   such use is distinct from voice media being part of a user-composed
   multimedia message.

Gellens                     Standards Track                     [Page 2]
RFC 4356         Mapping Between MMS and Internet Mail      January 2006

   Note that MM3 can also be used for interworking with "external"
   (non-MMS) systems other than Internet mail, such as Short Messaging
   Service (SMS) and access to external mail stores (such as a voice
   mail system).  This specification does not address these other uses
   or sub-interfaces of MM3; it is only concerned with Internet mail
   interworking and specifically exchange of messages.

   All MM3 Stage 2 [Stage_2] functions are supported except for reply