Email to SMS short code?

June 1, 2009 5:30 AM

How can I send a text (SMS) message to a short code from my computer?

I don't have a text messaging plan, so I pay 10 cents for each incoming and outgoing text message. I know how to send a text message by e-mail from my computer. But how can I send a text message from my computer to an SMS short code (such as 414141 for Redbox)? I can't just pop 414141 in the email address field; it's not recognized as a proper address. Or is there some online service that will translate short codes into cellular phone numbers?

posted by Joleta to technology (4 comments total)

(Assuming you're in the US.)

I spend way too much time finding out about services like these, and as far as I can tell, this doesn't exist. Not even Google Voice supports sending texts to shortcodes. Many shortcodes are used to bill subscribers for services, how would you be billed for these services? Some shortcodes are also carrier-specific. How would the company handle routing?
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 5:55 AM on June 1 [1 favorite]

Try ClickATell: http://www.clickatell.com/solutions/business/email.php

Not sure that they will handle your short code requirement. Also, not sure that you won't have a problem with the short code that is used as the sender MSISDN. Depends on the application.

If that doesn't cut it, check if your phone manufacturer doesn't provide software that lets you send SMS from your computer using your phone. Nowadays this is done via blue tooth. Nokia definitely supports this and a lot of others will too.
posted by w.fugawe at 6:12 AM on June 1

If that doesn't cut it, check if your phone manufacturer doesn't provide software that lets you send SMS from your computer using your phone. Nowadays this is done via blue tooth. Nokia definitely supports this and a lot of others will too.

That still sends through the phone though, so it still costs him his 10 cents.
posted by deezil at 6:21 AM on June 1

It looks like ClickATell would cost me $0.04 a message (after my 10 free). They also require the number in international format; nothing about using short codes.
posted by Joleta at 9:12 AM on June 1