SMS through website

[Compnerd]

Is there any script that i could install on a webserver that would allow people to subscribe to SMS (text) messages, and where i could send out updates through text messaging using an online system? I have seen the "event reminders" chiefdelphi has.. so if you can help let me know

[SamC]

Each phone service provider has its own way of dealing with this. Do some research on that to find out where you need to send the messages to (ie. for verizon its; [phone number]@vtext.com or [phone number]@myvzw.com)

Then once you are able to send messages to multiple service providers, create (or modify) a newsletter type application to make sending to cell phones available.

[Compnerd]

Is there an actual system that already does that?

[Racer26]

It would be easy enough to use a mailing list piece of scripting, and just have people enter their mobile phone's email address (along the lines of <mobile phone number>@<carrier>.com)

For example, I'm with Bell Canada, and my phone's email address is <myphonenumber>@txt.bell.ca

[RyanCesiel]

Originally Posted by Compnerd

Is there an actual system that already does that?

http://www.google.com/intl/en_us/mobile/sms/

[Compnerd]

Originally Posted by RyanCesiel

http://www.google.com/intl/en_us/mobile/sms/

I don't think that helps my situation. Im looking for a system where people can sign up to get alerts that i can send through an online script

[Qbranch]

Originally Posted by Compnerd

I don't think that helps my situation. Im looking for a system where people can sign up to get alerts that i can send through an online script

I think you should go with the email method people above have mentioned. Just be aware that text messages are limited (for most carriers) to 255 characters/message. If you have people signing up on your website, I'd just have them enter their ten-digit phone number and select from a dropdown box what carrier they are. Should work.

For your convinience, here's a listing of a good chunk of smtp->sms servers:

T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net
Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com
Cingular/AT&T: phonenumber@cingularme.com
Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com
Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com

If you really want to have fun, you can also do this with good ol' TAP (Telocator Access Protocol) Sure, you have to dial-up to a computer... but it's so much fun!

-q

[kfox1731]

I am interested in this as well, but had one update to the list below:

Originally Posted by Qbranch

For your convinience, here's a listing of a good chunk of smtp->sms servers:

T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net
Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com
Cingular/AT&T: phonenumber@cingularme.com
Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com
Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com

-q

I have AT&T and I have found that it is mynumber@txt.att.net or if it's multimedia it's mynumber@mms.att.net.

[RyanCesiel]

Originally Posted by Compnerd

I don't think that helps my situation. Im looking for a system where people can sign up to get alerts that i can send through an online script

How stupid of me. https://twitter.com/

The Blue Alliance used that during the kickoff - http://twitter.com/thebluealliance

[Protronie]

Don't forget that some phone companies charge for each text message received.
This might be a problem for some.

[Compnerd]

The Twitter might work, but im looking for something that i can embed into the website.

[feliks_rosenber]

Sound like a great idea but I was wondering, how will the phone companies charge you ?

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by feliks_rosenber

Sound like a great idea but I was wondering, how will the phone companies charge you ?

They won't charge you; they'll charge whoever receives the text message.

[Racer26]

If you want to embed it into your website, you should just write a mailing list script, and have subscribers provide their mobile phone's email. Also, the character limit is more like 140, for SMS.

[Bryan Herbst]

As there are ways of finding the service provider for phone numbers online, then you could probably find a way to get a phone number list, then run it through a service provider finding script, then tack on the appropriate domain to the number, and send a message to the completed list.

You could also have a registration script that automatically converts the number into an email address when the user is first added.

These two options would require some knowledge of PHP, so if you don't know how to use PHP, you might run into some trouble. I've never looked into any service provider-finding scripts before, so I'm afraid I can't help you there.

After a bit of googling...
Drupal (www.drupal.org) is capable of sending text messages to user lists through a message add-on (found here). You could check into that and see how that works.

Good luck!!