[thelist] php -> sms

[Hassan Schroeder]

Paul Bennett wrote:

> I can see a couple of problems with the method Adrian is using:
> (1) It is (in my experience) slower than a straight mobile to mobile sms
> message

True -- but it's also store-and-forward, so it doesn't depend on
the SMS gateway being up at the moment you send the message.

Also, what kind of cell phone reception are you going to get inside
a shielded computer room? :-)

> (2) There is NO guarantee that the providers will continue the service,
> keep the email address consistent, or provide the service for free

True enough, and I sympathize on that; I tried to find a backup for
the email-driven SkyTel paging service here in the US that used an
email->SMS gateway -- but all the wireless companies treat SMS like
a throwaway toy. They don't even offer a business-oriented service
availability commitment of any kind at any price. At least as of a
couple of years ago.

> For a business system, this just isn't an option. I don't want our
> customer to have to front an additional cost to receive sms, as they
> will be a heavy user with this system as it is. I don't want to have to
> go and recode the system everytime he changes networks or the email
> alias changes. That is a little unprofessional.

? that's no different than if the customer changes providers and
gets a different phone number, eh? But regardless...

> What I consider a more robust solution (and undocumented as noone can
> seem to be bothered breaking the black hole of silence that surrounds
> connecting to any cellular network)  is getting a connection from the
> webserver to a cellphone via a COM port and using that cellphone as a
> node in the mobile network to send messages.

I agree your desired solution is more robust, though from my past
experience rolling your own will be non-trivial, and just buying a
solution will be non-cheap :-)

But, might be a start at <http://java.sun.com/j2me/> --

Wireless Messaging API (JSR 120)
   The reference implementation (RI), Technology Compatibility Kit
   (TCK) and final specification are now available for download.
   The Wireless Messaging API (WMA) 1.0 extends the J2ME platform
   by providing application developers device-independent access
   to Short Message Service (SMS) and Cell Broadcast Service (CBS).

Also, a google on `SMS portal` might be useful.

HTH, and good luck!
-- 
Hassan Schroeder ----------------------------- hassan at webtuitive.com
Webtuitive Design ===  (+1) 408-938-0567   === http://webtuitive.com

                           dream.  code.