Short Code / Virtual SMS Number

[Sockpuppet]

Hi Guys,

I've been working on Plan C for quite a while now and I am upto the stage of testing.

Does anyone have any experiance of working with SMS messages? I need a provider that can send messages (based on my HTTPs post/get to them pref) and then recieve messages (based on HTTPs post/get to me pref).

It doesnt need to have it own short code (e.g. 87654) as these are expensive so a normal mobile number will do (virtual number). Cheapness is also preferred...as cheap as going out. 10p or 15p cost to caller coming in.

Also has to have no code before the message e.g. not "SOCK YES" I want them to be able to text "YES". I will get thier id from the phone number.

The technology that this is running on is perl / php based on a mysql backend.

Another idea that was suggested was that I get a mobile phone on contract and hook it up via serial (or better USB as it charges it) or get a PCMCIA gprs card and use that ... but I really dont feel the need to try and write socket based stuff to interface with it (and possibly a driver) as this is running on a unix box (FreeBSD).

Suggestions for who is good / not good.

Cheers
Richard

[DimPrawn]

I use clickatell for outgoing SMS from my plan B. Cheap. However, they don't do SMS in for the UK.

I also use smsgeezr for out http://smsgeezer.com/

There are loads of providers out there. eg. http://www.txtlocal.com/online-sms.php

[Sockpuppet]

I use clickatell for outgoing SMS from my plan B. Cheap. However, they don't do SMS in for the UK.

I also use smsgeezr for out http://smsgeezer.com/

There are loads of providers out there. eg. http://www.txtlocal.com/online-sms.php

Cheers DP

I've seen the massive amout of providers I was just wondering if anyone had a favourite.

They all seem to be based on £1.50 MAX PAYOUTS!!!! when I'm after lowest cost to them and me as the SMS are not a way of generating revenue (although if the ins pay for the outs) that would be good.

[Ardesco]

I had a look at these guys a couple of months ago and they seemed quite good:

http://www.e-txt.co.uk/

I haven't got past the looking stage at the moment though so i can't vouch for what they are like if you take a contract out with them. They seemed quite eager though, I got a phone call from somebody in the organisation about 2 days after I downloaded it asking what I thought and if I would be interested in taking it any further. I said I was undecided and would get back to them and they haven't called me since so they don't seem to do nuisance calling.

[Joe Black]

A possibility is these people: http://www.bulksms.co.uk/. Used them before for SMS type stuff on various apps and found them very good (and reasonable price wise) and they do inbound as well, though unfortunately don't have experience of that side of things so it's your call if they offer a good deal there as well.

http://www.bulksms.co.uk/w/solutions.htm

Hmm, reading further it seems that they offer free (on your part) SMS reply back to email as part of the standard package so would be interested myself on what the terms are there.

[Sockpuppet]

Cheers dude.

There is a choice between clickatel (pricey) or these guys (cheap) and they also offer the first 5000 messages a month free inbound.

Nice.