How can I send sms to shortcode via web!?

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › How can I send sms to shortcode via web!?

Edwood

218 posts

Master Geek

#97019 9-Feb-2012 09:38

Hey folks,

I have a requirement to send SMS messages TO a shortcode.

There is a myriad of online SMS providers, but shortcodes are a bit of an anomaly.

Does anyone know of an online service that will provide this functionality?

(I'm posting in the 2Degrees section because I recently switched to 2Degrees, and sadly, they don't have any online send-a-txt functionality).

Thanks in advance!

Ed.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#579124 9-Feb-2012 09:47

You will need to contact a thrid party vendor like Run the red,

Sit down before they say the costs

SaltyNZ

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#579139 9-Feb-2012 10:06

johnr:
Sit down before they say the costs

Teehee!

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

johnr

19282 posts

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#579142 9-Feb-2012 10:11

SaltyNZ:
johnr:
Sit down before they say the costs

Teehee!

Maybe even lay day and drink a bottle of Vodka before the call

nate

6473 posts

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#579208 9-Feb-2012 12:05

johnr:
SaltyNZ:
johnr:
Sit down before they say the costs

Teehee!

Maybe even lay day and drink a bottle of Vodka before the call

Ain't that the truth...

Edwood

218 posts

Master Geek

#579260 9-Feb-2012 13:10

No no no no... these are not the correct answers!

I don't mind paying for the service... but I still need all my limbs to pay for more important things...

Is it really that hard!? Pfft...

:(

SaltyNZ

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#579263 9-Feb-2012 13:17

Edwood: Is it really that hard!?

Well, yes, it is.

I mean, shortcodes exist so that people using phones can talk to applications and vice versa. If you want to talk to an application via the web, there are much better ways to do it than by sending it an SMS via a shortcode.

Such as, for example, talking to the application like this, or even this.

And then there are the billing implications. Premium SMS services cost money because someone expects to make money out of it. Telcos can do the billing transparently. Any other way requires you to setup a billing relationship with someone else, and that is one of the things the service providers wish to avoid.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

Edwood

218 posts

Master Geek

#579272 9-Feb-2012 13:37

Ahhh... and for all these reasons, I wonder why an operator hasn't seized the opportunity to be a couple of degrees better by offerring a web-to-txt service that includes shortcodes.

Translation is a no-brainer, cause they are already doing it
Billing is a no-brainer, cause they're already doing it
Online platform is a no-brainer 'cause they already have it...

If it was not obvious, I have no relationship with the application provider, and as such have no way to influence them to provide a direct web interface. I send information via sms shortcode (much like entering a competition), and I want to be able to use my PC to send the same information.

I'm not particularly interested in making an intellectual discussion out of it... but I am genuinely surprised that I can't do it (assuming that turns out to be the case). The obstacles, particularly for an operator seem miniscule. I'd be a little surprised if MyVodafone doesn't let you do it. ( If they do, I suppose i can just buy a Vodafone prepay sim / account)

The myriad of 3rd party web-to-txt providers establish billing relationships with their customers anyway. However, I suspect the problem here has more do to with reconciliation - ie. it's not easy for BulletIN for example, to know wether the short code is charged at $1 or $0.01c.

Worst case scenario, I can connect my PC to my phone... but there are a few limitations there i'm trying to avoid.

I wonder if 2Degrees will actually offer the service at some point.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

SaltyNZ

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#579274 9-Feb-2012 13:42

Well, also without wanting to get into an intellectual discussion about it, if the service provider in question wanted their service to be accessed in any other way than via an SMS shortcode, they would already be offering it.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

Edwood

218 posts

Master Geek

#579280 9-Feb-2012 13:45

SMS is a convenient way to offer a very high number of people quick and easy access from anywhere.

I suspect it's just not cost effective to build and integrate a web interface to boot.

Anyway... stop having non-intellectual debates with me, and go click some buttons that give me a 2Degrees web-to-txt service :-P

edit: Vodafone have informed me that this is not possible via the vodafone web-to-text service (aptly named Web2Txt). I think I can now rest having been officially FOILED! :(

nate

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#579476 9-Feb-2012 21:48

Edwood: Is it really that hard!? Pfft...

Is it really that hard - no? Is it really that expensive - yes.

Last time I inquired (six months ago) to a provider who-shall-rename-nameless, you are ball parking the following costings:

$5k setup for all three networks
$2k for the short code setup

then monthly...

$800 per month PLUS 20c per message.

I'm sure there's a market for a cheap SMS provider to come in and combine a whole lot of little guys into one behemoth of buying power... until that happens, it's too expensive for any small business/personal use.

Edwood

218 posts

Master Geek

#579529 10-Feb-2012 07:05

Garrr... clearly the providers don't have my little use case in mind :(

I'll just stick with the clunky unreliable fiddly slow means of achieving the result I have now.

Thx Ya'll