Outbound SMS, high volume, providers?

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rhysm

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#133438 22-Oct-2013 14:44

Hi,

We're developing an application that requires outbound sms functionality. We can either send emails, or make API calls to a web service. Telecom have eTXT, and that is 10c/message to TNZ mobiles, 17c to others. With our projected volumes (10K+ messages per week) it's clearly not a favourable option.

NB this is not spam/marketing and will be opt-in.

Anyone know of offerings from other providers? My searches of the Vodafone and 2 degrees sites have not been fruitful.

cheers

Rhys.

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#919722 22-Oct-2013 14:46

As this is an unusual request for your average joe, I would suggest calling the providers. The call centre may struggle to locate the right person but persist.

Perhaps PM johnr on this forum as he may be able to put you in touch with the right team at Vodafone.

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johnr

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#919723 22-Oct-2013 14:49

Sorry not best to call the service providers really call ' Run the red "

sbiddle

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#919726 22-Oct-2013 14:54

Unless things have changed dramatically in the last few months you'll be paying ~10c regardless of the provider you use. The price of bulk SMS is a rip off.

If pricing is critical to your business it's potentially something that would have been better investigated early on.

rhysm

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#919732 22-Oct-2013 15:01

sbiddle: Unless things have changed dramatically in the last few months you'll be paying ~10c regardless of the provider you use. The price of bulk SMS is a rip off.

If pricing is critical to your business it's potentially something that would have been better investigated early on.

We're existing Telecom/etxt users for other stuff, at much lower volumes. We flagged it to the project group that 10c/message is what we may end up having to pay. I'm picking that feature will be de-scoped if we can't find something cheaper.

Thanks all for your advice.

maxzzz

86 posts

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#919770 22-Oct-2013 16:06

I have been doing some research on a project I'm working on that required international SMS MT using an API with reasonable prices. For NZ I have found this company http://www.easytxt.co.nz/pricing that seems to have 'normal' prices (between $0.08/SMS and $0.045/SMS depending on the volume).

I have not tried it myself (they only do National SMS) but I can see that they are already used but large groups such as Foodstuff, so it might worth a try.

openmedia

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#920357 23-Oct-2013 12:48

Another option are bulletin.net. They have connectivity to all the local carriers.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

mattwnz

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#920419 23-Oct-2013 14:54

If what you are texting people is of value, then 10 cents per text is cheap compared to other method of marketing. With post, you are paying 7 times that.

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jnimmo

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#920684 23-Oct-2013 21:31

Ouch yeah that is quite a few messages.. we use TextaHQ which has an API that works well for what I need, but better suited to ad hoc users, price only drops below 8c for really high volumes

jarledb

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#921348 25-Oct-2013 04:32

You should check out https://www.nexmo.com/pricing/

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coldstone

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#921360 25-Oct-2013 07:44

jnimmo: Ouch yeah that is quite a few messages.. we use TextaHQ which has an API that works well for what I need, but better suited to ad hoc users, price only drops below 8c for really high volumes

TextaHQ does not have direct connectivity to all NZ carriers and as such they have no way of guaranteeing the delivery of the SMS, - for short code delivery (higher quality they will use someone like run the red) unless you are happy to have it arriving at your customers phones with random origination numbers on it (from experience) . I also see there SMS uses local SIMS against the rules of suppliers so if your service is critical (must get through) i would contact (as per above) someone like Run the Red

They do have a short code service but you will have to pay more for that. Just a word of warning and from experience- Cheap is not always best

sbiddle

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#921362 25-Oct-2013 07:58

jarledb: You should check out https://www.nexmo.com/pricing/

If you're fully aware of the risks of using a foreign provider they will work out cheaper. I would suspect that most people however aren't aware of the downsides including the fact most of these providers have no direct connectivity with NZ carriers and a number are blocked or could be blocked at any time due to being spam relays.