Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Programming Discussion : Text Messaging

[smkied]

Hello!

How would one go about sending text messages from a website to its users?

For example I want to create a feature where users would receive text messages based on certain criteria that they choose in their preferences...

I am located in Canada, so the solution would need to work with Canadian cell phone carriers.

Thanks!

[Fizzadar]

I also would love to know how this works. I've seen sites send SMS messages for free but can't work out how.

[bilalk]

As a small sender, you have a couple of options.

1. Interface with an SMS Gateway
Companies like Clickatell and others (just google for "sms gateway" and you'll find plenty) generally provide you with a submission form or API that you can use to send text messages to just about any provider.
Depending on your volume and the destination, most messages cost from 5 to 10 cents (US) each.

2. Use email-to-SMS gateways provided by carriers.
This generally only applies to US/Canada carriers, as they charge for both sending and receiving SMS.
In short, you send a message to a special <phone number>@carrier.tld e-mail address, which is converted into a text message and sent to the recipient.
This is as free for you as sending an e-mail.
Wikipedia has a table of Email-to-SMS gateway addresses.

Note that most larger senders that require reliable delivery are either eating the cost for free SMS (paying for and going through a gateway), or if they're large enough, interfacing with carriers directly.

[cygnusd]

bilalk is right, you'll need an sms-gateway to do that. Either you'll get connectivity via some third-party or direct-to-carrier in Canada. For the feature you mentioned where users (your system actually) can receive messages, you're gateway needs to be able to handle MO (mobile-originated) messages.

[Bryc3]

For bell you could probably use the gateway at txt.bell.ca. Also, I believe if you email the cell# eg 1234567899@txt.bell.ca it will text message the phone.