FrontlineSMS allows you to text message with large groups of people anywhere there is a mobile signal.

Dedicated numbers and Keywords (inbound)

I think this is basic, but I want to confirm my understanding: In order to set up a dedicated number for incoming texts (i.e. for a community outreach campaign), I need to sign up with a company like IntelliSMS who can assign one?

Also, for our NGO, even 300 GBP is noticed. IntelliSMS looks great, but are there any less expensive alternatives that you know of that would cover South Africa?

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Permalink Reply by kiwanja on June 17, 2009 at 9:07am: Hi Kim

Your incoming number for texts is the number associated with the SIM card you put into the phone you are using, i.e. the one attached to FrontlineSMS. You can use IntelliSMS or similar services, but they're much more expensive (and we only support IntelliSMS for incoming right now).

I suggest buying a SIM with an easy-to-remember number and using that in an attached phone or modem, and advertising that as your dedicated SMS line.

Ken; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kim fuqua on June 17, 2009 at 9:23am: Thanks, Ken. But wouldn't that number be long? 10-digits in our case? i.e, "For application information, SMS at 0731206088."

I feel like I'm being a dolt, but I'm not sure how I would create a keyword around this if the text didn't originate from us. i.e. "For application information, SMS at SKEPAPP."

And you are fast! (gracias)

Kim; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kiwanja on June 17, 2009 at 9:31am: Hi Kim!

Well, you likely wouldn't be able to create a keyword unless you can sit down with a friendly SIM seller and go through all the available numbers they have, and even then you'd be lucky to find something meaningful.

The alternative would be to spend a fair chunk of money, I think.

Most users don't worry about keywords or the length of the incoming number - just getting a nice-to-remember one is key for them.

Best of luck in whatever you do!

Ken; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ben Whitaker on June 17, 2009 at 12:05pm: The cheapest dedicated number for incoming texts can simply be a normal SIM card in an old phone connected to your FrontlineSMS computer.

You can buy a SIM dedicated to the purpose.

This is the cheapest way to do it, and is designed especially for organisations like yours that don't want to spend 300.

To get an easy to remember number, go to a phone shop, and ask them what numbers they have - sometimes they will let you look at all of the packets of Pay-As-You-Go SIM cards, and pick one that seems good (it's what I did!); ▶ Reply to This