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How to allow user to use my app?

What is the best way to send AND receive text from app to SMS user (cell phone)?

  • We are looking for a way to allow iOS and Android app users of ours SMS with NON-app users in a near seamless way.  As you probably know, most chat apps require BOTH users to use the app to communicate, which we view as a large barrier to entry for our application.  We want a way that App User A can send an SMS to SMS User B and B can reply with the reply appearing in the app for User A. Ideally we would want to be able to use something like Layer or Pulse or Amazon's SES service to send out messages from the app to the SMS user and have the message appear with User A's phone number, but I believe this is illegal (based on your posts). I've seen other instances where a text comes in from a random number and the user's actual number is in parenthesis or the like.  I'm assuming any replies are sent to a central server for processing and then routed back to the original sender.

  • Answer:

    You are correct in that you cannot assign any phone number you want in the United States. If you used a short code, you would have issues if more than one app user wanted to talk to the same  'outside' user because there would be no way to identify which person the 'outside user' is responding to. You cannot expect the outside user to type keywords correctly before every message and there is no way you can pre-populate a reply to identify all of their incoming messages. You will need to assign a phone number to talk to users outside your network. (They average $1 per number in todays market and can get down to 10 cents per number in bulk) for out of app text messages. Example: User 1 sends a message to User 2 without using an SMS number because they both have the app installed. User 1 wants to message User 3, but User 3 does not have a smart phone. Your service would assign User 1 an SMS phone number and automatically send the message out to User 3 from that number. User 3 responds to that message via SMS, the incoming messages are routed to User 1 because your system would know that User 1 sent a message to User 3 via that phone number. Now, lets say User 2 that has the app installed, knows User 3 too, User 2 would need his own phone number assigned to contact User 3 so your system would know who user 3 is responding to. I hope this makes sense. I have experience with many start-ups just like this and what is required by the CTIA and FCC. Let me know if you would like any assistance setting up a flowchart.

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I guess, this can be achieved by using a two-way messaging gateway with Short codes & Keywords. Each user shall get a small keyword as he gets registered. So anyone sending SMS to him/her must use the keyword before starting the Message. It shall work that way. Additionally, the system can also be made to self generate a unique code (as keyword) for each new communication. Just like #tag in Twitter. If it is the same communication continue the same keyword. Hope this helps. And such solution can also be obtained by one SMS Gateway & MVAS platform provider. Check http://www.aruhat.com/teleoss

Prasanjit Das

Hi!We are looking for a way to allow iOSand Android app users of ours SMS with NON-app users in a near seamless way.  As you probably know, most chat apps require BOTH users to use the app to communicate, which we view as a large barrier to entry for our application.  We want a way that App User A can send an SMS to SMS User B and B can reply with the reply appearing in the app for User A. Ideally we would want to be able to use something like Layer or Pulse or Amazon's SES service to send out messages from the app to the SMS user and have the message appear with User A's phone number, but I believe this is illegal(based on your posts).I've seen other instances where a text comes in from a random number and theuser's actual number is in parenthesis or the like.  I'm assuming any replies are sent to a central server for processing and then routed back to the original sender.Features Unique National     reach Automated Two-way     Messaging Easy to configure     Auto Response/ URL Response Unlimited     Sub-Keyword Facility for multiple types of Queries Processing Easy Integration     in to Website ODBC Data User friendly web     based control panel with Excel Export Revenue Sharing     Mechanism for huge inflow volume Detailed listing     of Callers for Post-sales promotion Free Customized     Auto reply on every incoming SMS Real Time Web     Based Reporting TwoWay http://kapsystem.com/freedemo3.phpKAPSYSTEM is also a Two way sms gateway india. 2 way sms gateway india is necessary to send Two way sms free trial for short code as well as text messages. http://kapsystem.com/freedemo3.php is one of the prominent short Code Providers in india. TheTwo way sms service or two way sms messaging is a type of two way communication in which you can immediately respond to the message. Two way messaging supports Two way messages via short code service. You can buy short code keyword to deliver 2 way sms messaging anywhere in india, 2way sms service is necessary for the users which like to send text message as well as want to know the respond of the recipient to the message. We provide a keyword of your Choice or Brand to deliver short code.messages in india. There are many short codes in india for shortcode service india. Short code providers in India. Short code service provider provides short code keyword for Short code messaging. Short code management supports sms short code marketing. Short code may have expired after its validity period. Sms Users may apply for re-activate theirkeyword of short code account in india to deliver further messages with short code, voting via text message, voting via internet, short code keyword.   Short code or two way sms service is also popularly known as Mobile voting,mobile voting system which is very  useful for mobile voter, It tells about howto vote from home and how to vote from handset. These are also known as sms toreply or sms for reply. You may have had sms from restaurants, live programs,live telecast shows etc to reply back sms.http://kapsystem.com/freedemo3.php / Two-way sms gateway service :Two-Way SMS Service provides seamless SMS sending and receiving to nearly 400 networks worldwide through one single messaging interface. Two-Way SMS service allows a wide range of industries to generate large amounts of SMS, such as Wireless Application Service Providers, MVNOs, MVNEs, SMS aggressors and re sellers, advertising agencies, media channels and mobile infrastructure providers. Large corporations, government institutions, emergency services and service companies can also make usage of this solution.Easy Integration into Applications and Systems:Two Way SMS solution can be integrated into systems such as ERP, CRM, desktop applications, business applications and systems, instant messenger applications for businesses and near-real-time gaming. The Two Way SMS functionality also allows the reception of messages in direct response to applications. Two Way SMS Can be used for :Customer Feedback:Customers can easily send feedback on your product and services in just a minute by typing on their mobile and then sending it on our server. This is the cheapest and the fastest way to get valuable customers feedback.Complaint Submission:A compliant can be submitted by SMS, which in fact, is the easiest way to communicate with the service provider. A complaint can be based on any sort of thing. It might be related to malfunctioning of products, support request etc. etc.Product Information:Information regarding a product can be delivered through SMS. In this case, user must send a specific keyword to our server, which will be then processed and appropriate response will get delivered to the requester.SMS can be an easy way to handle communication between you and your customers, employees or members of a community. In addition to sending SMS to a mobile, you can receive an SMS back to your service or system. An entry can also be initiated from a mobile phone, like adding a customer or registering an order for a product that you are selling.Communication2-Way communication is necessary if you want to have a dialogue with your subscribers. Use a dedicated or shared short code like ViaNett’s Norwegian short code 1963, or international Long Number like +4560991000. We also have more advanced two-way services like session-based communication where you can combine the replies with messages you have sent. This is necessary if you want to receive replies to more than one message in the same period of time.Available numbers or codes for use by Mobile Payment and 2-way communication: To access Mobile Payment, you need access to a short number or short code. This can be 4digits (like in Norway and in Denmark) or 5 digits (in Sweden). Both shared number and dedicated numbers can be offered. A shared number or code gives cheaper access, and for most services is a sufficient solution. For communications only, an international number (10 digits) is an alternative.I work with Kapsystem. For more details or information kindly write to meor 09738012348.To test our free demo click on http://kapsystem.com/freedemo3.php

Subhashree Maharana

Would suggest to utilise a SMS API - which enables A2P messaging across the globe. Providers include Nexmo, Twilio and Plivo. For your specific request, Nexmo sets itself apart from its competition by helping to facilitate 2 way User A & B communication by hosting a chat on a virtual long number. This has been done successfully with Airbnb, who wanted to provide a secure messaging channel, protecting the identities for the host and customer. By hosting the communication on a long virtual number (registered in advance in the US),  the host and the rental customer is able to communicate and confirm bookings online with a hosted long number in the US and protect their identities at the same time. Can confirm any replies will be sent to a central server and routed back to the original senders. Disclaimer - Am working in Business Development for Nexmo

Albert Chan

I can recommend you to use  http://www.bizzbuzzer.com/. This is the simplest way to communicate to anyone you like . http://www.bizzbuzzer.com/ can send and receive sms via web to anyone who are using cell phone. It doesn't matter if the mobile have or don't internet You can easily send sms to the phone number you like and once they reply, you can easily get because you will hear a beep and will notifies you that you got a response from them.For me, http://www.bizzbuzzer.com/ is the best way to communicate without any hassle.

Anilyn Badua

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