is there a real difference between texting and e-mailing?
GeneralThis forum is for non-technical general discussion which can include both Linux and non-Linux topics. Have fun!
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
Since I was so gently reminded to never ask a question anywhere on the internet without ddg'ing it first, I did just that. Some general searches, some specific to my provider, and all I came up with is this:
I don't think it's just magically possible to email a phone number. Or that every phone number somehow magically has an email address associated with it.
No, this needs to be installed & maintained by the providers, and since it effectively allows sending SMS for free, I'm sure they would advertise if it was (still) available.
Nothing is "free" in this equation. They get paid for your receiving a SMS text if you are the cell customer. And they do advertise it, but not as a major "feature". I have always found it in the help/support pages (once in the FAQ listing). Not only do corporate clients often use that feature, but retailers like The UPS Store, Inc. outlets do as well. I suspect the business trade encourages them to support the feature.
Not only do corporate clients often use that feature, but retailers like The UPS Store, Inc. outlets do as well. I suspect the business trade encourages them to support the feature.
In general, organizations that send text messages / reminders programmatically would not use an e-mail mechanism. They'll use someone like Twilio or Clickatell to do that kind of delivery where all you need is the mobile number and don't need to know the carrier.
Having done programmatical receipt and delivery of SMS messages for many years I've had exposure to a fair few different methods of delivery, everything from a mobile phone on an RS-232 cable to these API providers.
In general, organizations that send text messages / reminders programmatically would not use an e-mail mechanism. They'll use someone like Twilio or Clickatell to do that kind of delivery where all you need is the mobile number and don't need to know the carrier.
Having done programmatical receipt and delivery of SMS messages for many years I've had exposure to a fair few different methods of delivery, everything from a mobile phone on an RS-232 cable to these API providers.
The companies I worked for did not want to install anything new, and used only what was available in the system pending approvals. Email did not require approvals. YMMV
They get paid for your receiving a SMS text if you are the cell customer.
as boughtonp pointed out, that seems unlikely to me.
Quote:
And they do advertise it, but not as a major "feature". I have always found it in the help/support pages (once in the FAQ listing).
I was speaking about my provider specifically, but have not exhausted all my search fu on it yet.
Though I did find out that I apparently have an (option for an) email adress for my broadband contract which I have never used so far... cool.
I might send them a message and simply ask about that email => sms feature.
To be clear, the email to SMS gateways are usually provided by the CELL providers, not the ISP. In other words, SPRINT has a sprint email server that sends SMS to SPRINT phones. That works, I have used it. If the phone number is moved over to AT&T, the SPRINT gateway will no longer work, but there is an AT&T gateway that will start working to deliver SMS to that phone.
I have NO idea how the rest of the world works this, but that is the pattern in the USA.
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.
