Hello,

I'm looking for a company which would provide me with the following
capabilities to help us with the web site we're building to serve ring
tones, Logos and Messaging for GSM mobile users worldwide:

1. Interact with their SMS outbound gateway preferably via HTTP.
2. Ability to send binary, Unicode and EMS messages.
3. Ability to get Delivery Reports.
4. Provide tools to create Image Messages, Operator Logos and Group
Logo's as a preference.
5. Ability to schedule outgoing message bursts and their release
timings as an optional feature.
6.Provides tools and helps with the conversion and creation of
content, such as ring tones from Midi files for example and mobile
images from normal pictures and so on.
7. Plans on or already has the ability to assist us with MMS
messaging.
8. Ability to host a roaming GSM number to be able to send us via the
Internet messages which are sent to it as a preference.
9. Ability to allow us to connect to their and other SMSC's via the
popular protocols, such as SMPP as an optional feature.
10. Can be dealt with in English.
11. Not a one man show.
12. Cost per SMS relatively comparable to International market
standards.
13. Is familiar with the different compatibility issues relating to
different brands of mobiles and the ability to send readable messages
and working ring tones and viewable images to them.
14. The more automated and online tools they provide, the better.

Good luck.

/Lizardnation

Hello lizardnation-ga

I came up with a list of promising providers and emailed them to
confirm that they could supply to your technical spec, as the
information on their websites was not clear enough to enable
verification. (I even had to email our own SMS supplier who we intend
to use).

Commzgat ( http://commzgate.com ) is one company that satisfies the
technical spec, they responded by nodding their head to all points:

1. Interact with your SMS outbound gateway preferably via HTTP. 
> YES Our APIs are all HTTP-based. 

2. Ability to send binary, Unicode and EMS messages. 
> YES We do send Smart Messages but not EMS. But EMS support is
customizable anyway.

3. Ability to get Delivery Reports. 
> Definitely. 

4. Provide tools to create Image Messages, Operator Logos and Group
Logo's as a preference.
> YES we refer customers to freely available tools 

5. Ability to schedule outgoing message bursts and their release
timings as an optional feature. 
> Affirmative, already in the package. 

6. Provides tools and helps with the conversion and creation of
content, such as ring tones from Midi files for example and mobile
images from normal pictures and so on.
> Again, we refer customers to freely available tools 

7. Plans on or already has the ability to assist us with MMS
messaging.
> This is already in our roadmap, scheduled for Q1 03 

8. Ability to host a roaming GSM number to be able to send us via the
Internet messages which are sent to it as a preference.
> YES

9. Ability to allow us to connect to their and other SMSC's via the
popular protocols, such as SMPP as an optional feature.
> YES SMPP and UCP supported. 

10. Can be dealt with in English
> YES

11. Not a one man show. 
> Definitely not. We serve customers such as SingTel and Telekom
Malaysia with our 10-man developer team.

12. Cost per SMS relatively comparable to International market
standards.
> If you choose to use our online gateway, yes, cost is quite the
market rate.

13. Is familiar with the different compatibility issues relating to
different brands of mobiles and the ability to send readable messages
and working ring tones and viewable images to them.
> YES we’ve pretty much tried out most phones and know which are the
usual culprits.

14. The more automated and online tools, the better.
> Try out htto://demo.commzgate.com for the online tools. Our API set
contains almost all permutations possible for designing an automated
process.

Novelsoft's response satisfies all points except for item 9.

1. Interact with your SMS outbound gateway preferably via HTTP.
> Answer: Yes, For programmatical SMS delivery we provide a HTTP
interface:
- For programmatic SMS delivery from applications and web site scripts
- Transmission of messages to our center via HTTP and optionally SSL
- Handset delivery and non-delivery confirmations
- Selectable SMS message classes 0, 1, 2, 3
- Support for SIM card downloads (PID type 127)
- HTTP/1.0 and HTTP/1.1 (persistent connections) supported
- Suitable for throughput rates of up to 5-10 messages per second
(HTTP/1.0)
and 20-30 messages per second (HTTP/1.1).
- Anti-SMS bombing filter for web gateway providers (activated on
request)
- IP-based access control for increased security
You can find technical specifications and script examples in various
programmation languages on http://www.sms-wap.com/e/services.html .

2. Ability to send binary, Unicode and EMS messages.
>Answer: Yes, that's possible.

3. Ability to get Delivery Reports.
> Answer: Yes, that's possible, see
http://www.sms-wap.com/e/dreport.html .

4. Provide tools to create Image Messages, Operator Logos and Group
Logo's as a preference.
> Answer: Yes, that's provided by several customers of ours, see
http://www.sms-wap.com/e/turnkey.html .

5. Ability to schedule outgoing message bursts and their release
timings as an optional feature.
> Answer: Yes, that's possible.

6. Provides tools and helps with the conversion and creation of
content, such as ring tones from Midi files for example and mobile
images from normal pictures and so on.
> Answer: You can find various freeware for this purpose on the
Internet.

7. Plans on or already has the ability to assist us with MMS
messaging.
> Answer: We will not support MMS as we believe that UMTS will be the
next 'true wave' and MMS will be dropped soon (as it was the case with
WAP).

8. Ability to host a roaming GSM number to be able to send us via the
Internet messages which are sent to it as a preference.
> Answer: Yes, that's possible, see
http://www.sms-wap.com/e/smsdienste.html .

9. Ability to allow us to connect to their and other SMSC's via the
popular protocols, such as SMPP as an optional feature.
> Answer: I do not understand that question. We provide a SMS Gateway,
not a SMSC.

10. Can dealt with in English
> Yes

11. Not a one man show.
> Answer: How should a one-man show be capable of maintaining the
complexity of a SMS Gateway on his own? We do not know of any such
case .-)

12. Cost per SMS relatively comparable to International market
standards.
> Answer: The prices and conditions can be found on
http://www.sms-wap.com/e/preise.html . SMS can be purchased via credit
card, cheque or bank wire, whatever you prefer. - There is only a
per-message fee, no other fees at all. There is no such thing as a
monthly minimum volume or contract length or anything alike. You are
welcome to use our SMS Gateway services as long as they meet your
needs.

13. Is familiar with the different compatibility issues relating to
different brands of mobiles and the ability to send readable messages
and working ring tones and viewable images to them.
> Answer: The mobile phones of various manufacturers are being
supported for ringtone and logo delivery, see technical specs.

14. The more automated and online tools, the better.
> Answer: All interfaces provided are Internet-based.

SMS xchange ( http://www.smsxchange.com ) also provide the majority of
the functions, and was one of the more promising and informative
sites. I was actually able to pluck out the information myself, except
for a few points which I have emailed to verify:

1. Interact with their SMS outbound gateway preferably via HTTP. 
> YES ( http://www.smsxchange.com/main/sms_delivery.asp )
"HTTP Application Interface
- For programmatic SMS delivery from applications and web site scripts
- Transmission of messages to our center via HTTP"

2. Ability to send binary, Unicode and EMS messages. 
> YES ( http://www.smsxchange.com/main/default.asp )
"Send text, unicode, flash, blinking, group graphics, logos,
ringtones, screensavers , profile downloads or screensavers, nokia
business card, nokia calendar events, WAP-OTA ConfigurationsNew, WAP
BookmarksNew, EMS, EMS AnimationsNew, EMS Ringtones, Concatenated
EMSNew, Coloured WallpapersNew, Animated ScreensaversNew, Alcatel
PicturesNew, Alcatel Polyphonic RingtonesNew, 2-way messaging,
Email-to-SMS."

3. Ability to get Delivery Reports. 
> YES ( http://www.smsxchange.com/main/default.asp )
"Detailed SMS Logs
We have complete detailed logs of all your sms transmission."

4. Provide tools to create Image Messages, Operator Logos and Group
Logo's as a preference.
> YES ( http://www.smsxchange.com/customlogo/logoapplet.asp
and http://www.smsxchange.com/customlogo )

5. Ability to schedule outgoing message bursts and their release
timings as an optional feature.
> Probably, I am verifying it (they have queued SMS facility)

6.Provides tools and helps with the conversion and creation of
content, such as ring tones from Midi files for example and mobile
images from normal pictures and so on.
> YES 
Images ( http://www.smsxchange.com/mobilephoto )
Midi via script

7. Plans on or already has the ability to assist us with MMS
messaging.
> NOT YET I am verifying this.

8. Ability to host a roaming GSM number to be able to send us via the
Internet messages which are sent to it as a preference.
> YES ( http://www.smsxchange.com/main/info_demand.asp )
"Customers can request information from you by sending a keyword (e.g.
Stocks, Cur) to a special SMS service number. In response, your
applications can compose a reply message (e.g. a stock quote or
currency exchange rate) which will be sent back to the mobile user."

9. Ability to allow us to connect to their and other SMSC's via the
popular protocols, such as SMPP as an optional feature.
> Not sure, info wasn't on their site, I am verifying it

10. Can be dealt with in English. 
> YES English website

11. Not a one man show. 
> NO is not a one man show

12. Cost per SMS relatively comparable to International market
standards.
> YES ( http://www.smsxchange.com/main/msg_pricing.asp )
10,000 SMS = USD 65.00

13. Is familiar with the different compatibility issues relating to
different brands of mobiles and the ability to send readable messages
and working ring tones and viewable images to them.
> YES ( http://www.smsxchange.com/main/ww_coverage.asp )

14. The more automated and online tools they provide, the better.
> Provided tools seem quite powerful

Below I have listed the companies I have found in the research that
also offer a similar feature set. I am waiting for confirmation of
their offering as the information on their websites was not detailed
enough to enable me to pass judgement.

VirtualPlus ( http://www.virtualplus.com )
Novelsoft ( http://www.novelsoft.ch )
Myrealbox  ( http://www.myrealbox.com )
Quios ( http://www.quios.net )
e-netmedia ( http://www.e-netmedia.com )
RingToneReseller ( http://www.ringtonereseller.co.uk )
antepo.com ( http://www.antepo.com )

Other companies which may be of some interest with a more limited
feature set:
1rstwap ( http://www.1rstwap.com ) - looks promising but their contact
form doesn't work, so can't verify!
Checkcom ( http://www.checkcom.com/mobilemarketingserver.htm )
Clickatell ( http://www.clickatell.com )
iTouch ( http://www.itouch.co.uk )
Yakara ( http://www.yakara.com )

Here is a list of third party software which allows logo creation,
composing of ringtones, MIDI file conversion etc
SMS-WAP.com
http://www.sms-wap.com/e/turnkey.html

Search Strategy:
sms white label
://www.google.com/search?q=sms+white+label&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&newwindow=1&start=10&sa=N
sms gateway
://www.google.com/search?q=sms+gateway&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&newwindow=1&start=60&sa=N
Google Directory > Business > Telecommunications > Wireless > Service
Providers > Phone > Short Message Service
http://directory.google.com/Top/Business/Telecommunications/Wireless/Service_Providers/Phone/Short_Message_Service/?il=1
Yahoo! > Business and Economy > Business to Business > Communications
and Networking > Telecommunications > Wireless > Global System for
Mobile Communications (GSM) > Short Message Networks (SMN)
http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Business_to_Business/Communications_and_Networking/Telecommunications/Wireless/Global_System_for_Mobile_Communications__GSM_/Short_Message_Networks__SMN_/

I will post the responses of the other companies as I get them via
email, so please wait for them to come in before you rate, though it
may transpire that you are happy with the 3 companies above :-)
However in the meantime, if you have any points that need
clarification, just ask.
Kind regards
lot-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by lot-ga on 07 Oct 2002 04:37 PDT

Hello lizardnation-ga,

Here is the response from Clickatell, 
however they don't appear to have fully satisfied your technical spec,
You may want to reference the documents 'HTTP_API_Spec_v1.63.pdf' and
'ClickatellOverview_RD.doc' which are referred to in the comments,
available from the respondent
Kirsten Locke
Tel: +27 82 231 1000
Fax: +27 21 948 7160
kirsten@clickatell.com
www.clickatell.com

1. Interact with your SMS outbound gateway preferably via HTTP. 
> Yes.  Please refer to the attached specdocument for details.

2. Ability to send binary, Unicode and EMS messages. 
> Yes.  With EMS you need to provide the UDHh headers and binary data.
 Full details are provided in the attached spec.

3. Ability to get Delivery Reports. 
> Yes.  Full online real-time reporting is provided.  In addition,
with the API, a callback can be set where message status will be sent
to a predefined URL of your choice.

4. Provide tools to create Image Messages, Operator Logos and Group
Logo's as a preference.
> No.  

5. Ability to schedule outgoing message bursts and their release
timings as an optional feature.
> Yes

6. Provides tools and helps with the conversion and creation of
content, such as ring tones from Midi files for example and mobile
images from normal pictures and so on.
> Yes.  We have a variety of online convertors available.

7. Plans on or already has the ability to assist us with MMS
messaging.
> Yes.  Currently under development.

8. Ability to host a roaming GSM number to be able to send us via the
Internet messages which are sent to it as a preference.
> No.  We do howver, have a 2-way messaging system in beta phase at
the moment.

9. Ability to allow us to connect to their and other SMSC's via the
popular protocols, such as SMPP as an optional feature.
> Yes.  This is currently in beta phase.

10. Can be dealt with in English.  
> Yes

11. Not a one man show. 
> Not at all.  Please refer to the Clickatell Overview document for
details on our company.

12. Cost per SMS relatively comparable to International market
standards.
> Extremely competitive especially considering the features available
as well as the fact that only A-grade carriers are used and
reliability is a priority.  Pricing can be viewed at
http://www.clickatell.com/brochure/products/pricing.php

13. Is familiar with the different compatibility issues relating to
different brands of mobiles and the ability to send readable messages
and working ring tones and viewable images to them.
> Yes.  In some cases UDH headers and binary data needs to be added by
client.

- and short response from e-netmedia.com who claim they satisfy all
points.

"Thank you for your e-mail, yes we can deliver the following
requirements for your project, what budget do you have in mind? In
many cases we do not perform the development in house. Instead its we
provide a project management role, pulling the elements together for
our clients to deliver a
solution for the project.

Having been established over 3 years this enables us to use best of
breed within the market place. With our strong relationships with
several
partnership suppliers I believe this project would be achievable in a
fairly
short period of time. I know we already have a partner (company of
around 15) who has the ability to deliver this project in a fairly
short period of
time.

I would be interested in talking to you further about this, please
give me a
call on 0208 357 8253.

All the best
Justin Taylor
justin@e-netmedia.com "

If I receive any more responses I will post them,
regards
lot-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by lot-ga on 07 Oct 2002 13:43 PDT

Hello another response:

"Thanks for your message.

Our SMSGateWay and SMSGateWay Duplex products provide a transport
mechanism for getting SMS messages out onto the GSM network. Messages
can be sent from text files, SMTP and web sites. Please see the
attached SMS Solutions White Paper for further information.
[I can't email it to you so perhaps ask for this document directly]

The cost per message depends on the contract used for the SIM card.
This varies from 0p to 12p per message in the UK.

We don't have tools specifically for manipulation of logos and
ringtones. These are just binary messages which can be sent out via
the SMSGateWay/SMSGateWay Duplex software.

Do you have specific issues relating to questions 12 and 13?
[meaning 13 and 14 as I left out the 'able to deal with English'
question]

Look forward to hearing from you.

regards
Marcus Williamson
Connectotel Ltd
http://www.connectotel.com "

regards lot-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by lot-ga on 10 Oct 2002 16:19 PDT

Hello lizardnation-ga

Well this is the last one I think, the other suppliers are probably
too embarrased to answer ;-)  ... i.e. cannot satisfy many points of
the brief.

Response from VirtualPlus ( http://www.virtualplus.com )
They don't seem to be able to accomodate your spec off the shelf and
appear to be more of a custom solution, they don't quite satisfy all
the criteria laid down:

1. Interact with your SMS outbound gateway preferably via HTTP.
> Yes

2. Ability to send binary, Unicode and EMS messages.
> Yes - but may need to develop our API a bit for the exact
specification.

3. Ability to get Delivery Reports.
> This is not currently there - we deliver to the operator but do not
ask
for confirmations from the operator. CDRs are generated from our node
and we can pass these to you. These will tell you that we have
successfully handed over to the operator. We can develop this further
if required (again depending upon what is required)

4. Provide tools to create Image Messages, Operator Logos and Group
Logo's as a preference.
> No - this is done with many other tools

5. Ability to schedule outgoing message bursts and release timings as
an optional feature.
> We can make an attempt at this but would still be held by output
restrictions (ie how many messages we can send at once etc) and
reliability of the gateway at the operator end.

6.Provides tools and helps with the conversion and creation of
content, such as ring tones from Midi files for example and mobile
images from normal pictures and so on.
> No - again, these tools are available elsewhere and we could only
consult on these issues.

7. Plans on or already has the ability to assist us with MMS
messaging.
> We can develop our API further for this to be completed. We are
looking at EMS/MMS as there are a number of requests in this area.

8. Ability to host a roaming GSM number to be able to send via the
Internet messages which are sent to it as a preference.
> Not sure exactly what the requirement here is.

9. Ability to connect to your and other SMSC's via the popular
protocols, such as SMPP as an optional feature.
> We have talk IP to our operators or X.25. There is no SMPP gateway
that we host at the moment .

10. Can be dealt with in English.  
> YES English website 
 
11. Not a one man show.  
> NO is not a one man show 

12. Cost per SMS relatively comparable to International market
standards.
> We do not have a high SMS traffic profile. We charge 8p at low
volume
and 3p SMS at high volume. Again, our ASP model is based on access fee
to the API (3,000 GBP for SMS) and 300 GBP per month for the interface
charge.

13. Is familiar with the different compatibility issues relating to
different brands of mobiles and the ability to send readable messages
and working ring tones and viewable images to them.
> We have some experience of this and we are continually learning
about new issues.

14. The more automated and online tools the better.
> At the moment we have two API methods - one in old xml-rpc (working
with no change with what we have at the moment) and an xml-rpc newer
version which we can play with more easily. The latter allows more
flexibility and will allow newer messages types to be included easily.

regards
lot-ga

Hello Lot,

As always, I get great answers from you that makes me even more
addicted to Google Answers! :-)

/Lizardnation