Often times it may be a requirement for your web application to send an SMS message. Such examples would be reminders, password resetting, and spam.

Q: Can I have some code to send an SMS message?

A: Unfortunately it isn't as simple as just copying and pasting some code into your application and you can start blasting out text messages. SMS is a service, and cellular carriers will charge for it. The cost varies by carrier. SMS is a standard defined set of protocols that is authenticated to. When you contact a cellular company they will provide you with a username, password, gateway (sometimes called an Endpoint), and various other protocol related configurations.

There are several existing .NET SMS SDKs out there - some are free and open source - but that doesn't change the fact that ultimately, those SDKs need endpoints configuration and you are back to the problem of needing a provider.

Q: OK - How do I get in touch with a company to send an SMS?

A: Most often than not it isn't feasible to contact a cellular company themselves. If you were to contact say, Verizon, you would only be able to send an SMS to Verizon phones. So you would have to partner with individual carriers - then there is the pain of figuring out which number belongs to which carrier. The easiest solution is to go to a 3rd party company that handles all of the messy work for you. This gives you an advantage of sending them in a simple manner and also not needing to know or understand how the SMPP protocol (or whatever protocol they are using - there are many) works as they will almost always provide an SDK or Web Service of their own.

Q: What 3rd party Gateway Provider should I use?

A: It varies by country, but a popular one that is somewhat regional is Clickatell. (Disclaimer - I do not work for them nor have I used their services - I found them via Google). They also provide their own SDK with sample code.

Here is a list of other ones: http://www.developershome.com/sms/smsGatewayProvComp.asp

Q: I want a vanity or custom shortcode, like 134569 instead of a phone number.

A: That depends on the gateway provider. Clickatell allows you to rent one.

Q: We are going to be using A LOT of SMS messages - what if I want my own gateway?

A: If you want to setup your own gateway, then you will need some physical hardware are well as software. Kannel is a popular open source SMS Gateway that runs on Unix like operating systems. You will still need to contact an SMS Center and this does not mean you can start sending out SMS messages for free.

Good luck with your application.

If I understand you correctly you want to send a SMS message to a phone.  Provided that you know the carrier for that phone you can send it a message via email.

                        <asp:DropDownList ID="DDLCarrier" runat="server">
                            <asp:ListItem Value="@text.att.net">AT&T</asp:ListItem>
                            <asp:ListItem Value="@cingularme.com">Cingular</asp:ListItem>
                            <asp:ListItem Value="@messaging.nextel.com">Nextel</asp:ListItem>
                            <asp:ListItem Value="@messaging.sprintpcs.com">Sprint</asp:ListItem>
                            <asp:ListItem Value="@tmomail.net">T-Mobile</asp:ListItem>
                            <asp:ListItem Value="@vtext.com">Verizon</asp:ListItem>
                            <asp:ListItem Value="@vmobl.com">Virgin Mobile</asp:ListItem>
                        </asp:DropDownList>

So if the phone number was 999-999-9999 and the carrier was Verizon then you could simply email to 9999999999@vtext.com and the message will appear on the phone as a text message.  So as long as you know the carrier of the phone number it will work.  If you don't know the carrier then I suppose you could send it to all the carriers and at least one should work.

My post was a FAQ (Frequently asked Question) with a Q and A (Since it's in the FAQ Forum).  I wasn't really looking for an answer, just writing a post that can help others.

Thanks for posting this article.... It helps a lot for sending messages through asp.net pages

hey.... Raghakrishna Raju.M

Buddy..I m new in asp.net and i need ur help regarding Sending SMS through Asp.net . I personally tried to work on Sms via Asp.net but could'nt get Success.. Will u please Paste ur code that u r using to Send SMS.. It would be Ur kind Aid to Me.. thanks

Hello Sir Jones

Thank you very much for the nice information.

I didn't know how to send SMS in ASP.Net.

But after read your post, i got the idea.

Its really helpful

Good Info jones

hello,

Actually, i'm having this problem of sending an automated sms from my asp.net (vb) website. I'm a student and presently designing a website for my final project. The project is an intelligent car rental system that include sending an sms notification to rentals to remind them of when to return the car. 

I've been in contact with clickatell for gateway but my problem is how to schedule the sms notification. Details of rental service will be stored in SQL database which includes the renter name, address, phone, rentdate and returningdate. So if returningdate is tomorrow, then sms notification should be sent today as a reminder.

Please advise

Hi,

As I am one of the fresher asp.net developer ,get some usuful tips from here.

Hi Jones,

I think I wasted so much of time on this topic but after having a look at your post I got complete idea of sending SMS through ASP.NET form.

Thanks for the post.

I don't know if this is a right place ask this question. But i need a solution as early as possible.

I am developing a web application, it includes sms sending facility.

As per your suggestion, i thought of implementing the same with clickatell. But i am not able open up the link given.

Did they change their site to a new address?

As of just now, the ClickAttel link in my original post appears to still be working. Perhaps you hit it when they had some down time? 

good information 

For Send SMS Through Code:

C#.net:

Step 1: Add Web Reference :
        http://www.spiritssoft.com/webservice/sendway2sms.asmx
Step 2: Add This "using com.spiritssoft.www;"
Step 3: Create a Object "SendWay2Sms smsobj = new SendWay2Sms();"
Step 4:
        string strResult = smsobj.sendSmsSpiritsSoft("UserName", "Password", "Number", "message");
    
    strResult  : Recieving the Result from Webservice

Note:
     - For Group SMS , Number seperated by commas(,).
     - Message should be Only 125 characters,
     - If No username , password form way2sms.com it will send message
       through Spirits Soft Technology Default Number.


From : Spirits Soft Technology
           www.spiritssoft.com

is it possible for other country?