PHP Based SMS Sending Free?

Pezmc

Is there anyway I can send sms from my webserver to UK based phones for free? I am currently developing a website for someone who has requested such a servce so they can send texts to their members (using a mysql list) on upcoming dates.

Is there any such service/pre built script?

rowanparker

Not that I know of.

I did look once but couldn't find anything.

etully

I've asked that same question a number of times (not here at PHP Builder, though) and the answer I always get is that you can just send an email to the person's cell phone like this:

555-1212@verizon.net

and it will be received as an SMS. And that's probably not a good answer. There must be some difference between an SMS (that uses SMS gateways) and an email sent to a cell phone but I don't know what that difference is.

Clearly not a PHP question but a good question nonetheless.

ShawnK

lol i found ways to recieve SMS messages on a php server...but i'm looking up sending them now...and your definition of free? it will be free to SEND but the normal carrier message rates will still apply

edit: here is a very large tutorial on all aspects of sms and pc relations
http://www.developershome.com/sms/

bpat1434

You might look at Triangle Solutions as they offer an SMS Package.

As for just sending an email to the service address, you can do that. I can do that to myself. The only stipulation is that it can't be longer than 160 characters in the body, and the message subject is usually the first 16 characters.

One thing to note is that the correct address for verizon wireless customers is number@vtext.com 😉

Pezmc

Thanks for all yuor help guys, regarding the email service this is for a UK customer textting UK mobiles, do you know any emails for people like: t-mobile, vodaphone, O2 etc...

By the looks of things I may have to get my customer to invest in paying per text 😛

I hope they don't mind!

bpat1434

Go to the service's websites. There should be (if it's offered) the feature to "send a text message". On there if you can send my email, then they'll tell you who to email and how.