I'm looking for a programmatic way to send and receive SMS messages
using only open source software.  I want to be able to send an SMS
message to any phone number in the world from my server, and I'd like
my server to be able to receive replies.

As far as it goes, however, sending SMS messages is more important to
me than receiving them, so that part is optional.

Again, I'd like this to be done using entirely free software.  And
when it comes to using a provider to get on the SMS network (I assume
I need one to send an SMS message), I'd like to be as far upstream as
possible; i.e. I don't want to deal with resellers of resellers.

If this doesn't make any sense, that's probably because I don't know how SMS works.

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Clarification of Question by nattyboomboom-ga on 06 Jan 2005 21:58 PST

I think you misunderstood the question.  I am looking for an API or
protocol, not an end-user tool.  Also, I am asking about sending SMS
messages to mobile phones from my server application, not looking for
an instant messaging client for Windows.

And yes it is free!!! :D


ICQ Lite has all the essential features of the full version of ICQ.
You can message people, exchange files, send SMS messages, and meet
people. It also includes multilingual support, the ability to save
your chat histories, and a typing indicator that shows when a contact
is typing you a message. In addition to familiar features such as
chat, SMS messaging, and file-transfer capabilities, the newest
version includes ICQ Xtraz, which allow you to send personalized
greeting cards, apply custom icons to your buddies, play online games,
and customize your shortcuts panel for one-click access to all your
favorite features. The ICQ Xtraz platform enables ICQ to present users
with a selection of new services as they are created, without the need
for you to download a new client. Xtraz also supports the creation of
new ICQ features that can be built separately from the core ICQ client
and then delivered and automatically updated over time. The new
interface also is clean and intuitive, so you can start chatting
quickly and easily.

Download Link
http://www.download.com/ICQ-4/3000-2150-10284678.html?part=dl-icq4&subj=dl&tag=button

More information Link and Instuctions
http://web.icq.com/sms/

A quick search turned up the following FAQ question from the SMS Forum
site:

  Where can I get SMPP APIs?
  http://smsforum.net/smf/index.php?topic=913.0

  from
  SMS Forum Frequently Asked Questions
  http://smsforum.net/smf/index.php?board=12

  SMS Forum
  http://smsforum.net/

You dont need a protocol, or a end user program to send an SMS
message. You can do that from a simple website.

http://vtext.com offers FREE SMS sending, this should be the answer to
your question :)

I think this might help if you already know how to send e-mail over a
smtp server.  SMS (short messaging service ) is basically a e-mail the
meets certain restrictions;  For exmaple the message is less then 160
charaters long.  So when you are sending someone a sms, it just
forwards the meassge to the mobile phone's e-mail account.  The
accounts are all generated by the phone number of the phone.  For
example the phones 10 digit number, @ , then the providers
server.902-555-0000 at Telus would be 9025550000@msg.telus.ca.  The
address for the server is different for each company however if you
call and ask them they will tell you.

PageGate has a commandline/ASCII option that allows for messages to be
sent via commandline or a directory can be polled for messages. It is
frequently used to tie into other programs and pass messages.
Details at http://www.notepage.net/pagegate.htm
HTH