Thank you, Nikos, for the advice. Best regards, David --- On Sat, 28/11/09, Nikos Balkanas <nbalka...@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Nikos Balkanas <nbalka...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: Two Basic Questions, Please? To: "David Halliday" <tetrah...@yahoo.co.uk>, "Kannel Users" <users@kannel.org>, "Cezary Siwek" <cza...@thebestisp.co.uk> Date: Saturday, 28 November, 2009, 6:54 Hi, And just what are bulk SMS firms are using? Maybe kannel? If you just want to send your own SMS, use a bulk SMS progvider's web interface. Kannel is for bulk SMS providers. A few large corporations are using it also for in-house SMS provision. BR, Nikos ----- Original Message ----- From: David Halliday To: Kannel Users ; Nikos Balkanas ; Cezary Siwek Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 7:32 AM Subject: Re: Two Basic Questions, Please? Thank you , Cezary and Nikos, for your responses. The option: Application -> Kannel -> GSM modem is now clear to me. One last point, please, and I will not bother the list with my elementary enquiry anymore. Consider the second option: Application -> Kannel -> SMSc link Say there is a firm that provides 2 separate services: Service a: Bulk SMS messages to network X Service b: SMSC connectivity with network X (SMPP link) In theory, applying the second option mentioned above, if we went for service b, would it not be cheaper than service a? If the answer is no, then what on earth is the use of the gateway? Most bulk sms firms provide you with a website script/interface to send sms messages from the website anyway, and that is usually included in the price. Best regards, David --- On Sat, 28/11/09, Nikos Balkanas <nbalka...@gmail.com> wrote: From: Nikos Balkanas <nbalka...@gmail.com> Subject: Re: Two Basic Questions, Please? To: "Cezary Siwek" <cza...@thebestisp.co.uk>, "David Halliday" <tetrah...@yahoo.co.uk>, "Kannel Users" <users@kannel.org> Date: Saturday, 28 November, 2009, 2:47  Hi, To make it clearer. A GSM modem is a mobile phone as far as the operator is concerned. Both are using a SIM card and are charged by it. Kannel doesn't care. The differences between a GSM modem and a mobile phone (with modem functionality) are: 1) You can use your mobile for other things as well (calling friends, etc.) 2) A dedicated GSM modem is more reliable, in terms of DLRs, status and SMS handling. BR, Nikos ----- Original Message ----- From: Cezary Siwek To: David Halliday ; Kannel Users Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 3:08 AM Subject: Re: Two Basic Questions, Please? David, Unfortunately you won't save any money this way....You will pay the same price by sending an SMS from a mobile phone or using Kannel->gms modem. Well, you save money because you can use Kannel instead of other commercial products. Kannel only helps you in enabling SMS on your website/application. Cezary ----- Original Message ----- From: David Halliday To: Kannel Users ; Cezary Siwek Sent: 28 November 2009 00:24 Subject: Re: Two Basic Questions, Please? Hi Cezary, Thank you ever so much for the useful info. The basic point that I still can really understand is 'how' Kannel - or any free gateway - could reduce the cost of sending sms. I just need to get the answer before going through installing linux, buyinga GSM modem, etc. Despite googling a lot for the last 10 days, I am still 'confused' really. The aim is to set it up for someone abroad. The sim card provider do not allow sending free messages from a mobile phone. So, if we went for the option: Application -> Free Gateway (e.g. Kannel) -> GSM modem ( + simcard) How could that be cheaper than to send them directly from a mobile phone? On Kannel's website, one of the answers for this question 1.2 Why should I use Kannel instead of a commercial WAP gateway? is: The price is right :-) Do you really want to pay thousands of dollars of a WAP gateway? May be in this particular case, one should go for the other option, to bypass the sim card provider altogether, i.e.:- Application -> Free Gateway (e.g. Kannel) -> SMSc agent/provider In any case, thank you once again for your reply. Best regards, David --- On Fri, 27/11/09, Cezary Siwek <cza...@thebestisp.co.uk> wrote: From: Cezary Siwek <cza...@thebestisp.co.uk> Subject: Re: Two Basic Questions, Please? To: "Kannel Users" <users@kannel.org> Date: Friday, 27 November, 2009, 23:06 I think 1000sms/day is too much for gsm modem/sim card. I'm assuming you are UK based. Most of UK networks don't allow to send more than 3k sms/month (even if you are on 'unlimited text' plan). If you exceed that volume you may be disconnected or charged as per normal text 10-15p. Please check T and C (especially the "fair usage policy") of your SIM provider before you decide to go this way. If you get an SMPP connection from SMS carrier you will pay 3-5p/sms. AFAIK: H3G UK - allows to send 3k SMS. After that you will be charged 10p t-mibile UK - "If you send more than 3000 texts a month or text more than 200 different numbers in 5 days, you may be breaking your terms and conditions, which say that you can’t use your phone for anything unlawful or to send nuisance" O2 UK- "All usage must be for your private, personal and non-commercial purposes. You may not use your SIM Card: a. in, or connected to, any other device including modems;" Best Regards, Cezary ----- Original Message ----- From: David Halliday To: Kannel Users Sent: 27 November 2009 01:18 Subject: Re: Two Basic Questions, Please? Hi Nikos, Many thanks for your repsonse. It is really useful. Before actually sending my enquiry to this list, I had done some searchig for a while on google, and I understood that the only way to send sms message to recepints is by going through an SMS Centre for the dsetination network. In your reply, you mentioned as an option: Application -> Kannel -> GSM modem Can it really be done that way - *bypassing* the SMS centre? And if yes, what is considered as "low volume"? Would 1000 messages per day be 'OK' with a sim card provider? And of course, it all depends on the destination network. Real SS7 connections may not be an option. I would appreciate your advice. Best regards David --- On Thu, 26/11/09, Nikos Balkanas <n...@amdtelecom.net> wrote: From: Nikos Balkanas <n...@amdtelecom.net> Subject: Re: Two Basic Questions, Please? To: "David Halliday" <tetrah...@yahoo.co.uk>, "Kannel Users" <users@kannel.org> Date: Thursday, 26 November, 2009, 1:27 Hi, 1) To push SMS you will need: Application -> Kannel -> GSM modem -or- Application -> Kannel -> SMSc link Application is some kind of web interface to facilitate and schedule pushes. Optionally you can substitute one of kannel's components, smsbox, with SQLbox for sending bulk. GSM modem provides for a low volume, cheaper usually interface using a SIM card. But volume is restricted else SIM maybe disabled. SMSc provides for a more reliable interface, however, throughput is restricted according to your contract. Volume is unlimited (of course you are charged for each SMS). You can also shop around to get the lowest price globally, whereas with a SIM you are restricted by what your operator gives you. 2) Cost depends on your volume and destination. If Clickatell is an aggeragator, ie routes SMS to other SMScs, you can do better than them. If, however, they have real SS7 connections, given their volume, it is unlikely. BR, Nikos ----- Original Message ----- From: David Halliday To: Kannel Users Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 9:54 PM Subject: Two Basic Questions, Please? Hello, I have windows xp on my pc, and am very interested in Kannel. Before installing Linux and going through the whole process, I would like to know, if possible, please:- 1. To send sms messages, what else would one need apart from:- Kannel + GSM modem + SMSC connectivity (for recepients' network) Anything else apart from the above 3 'components'? 2. Would that arrangement be actually cheaper than to go through some bulk SMS suppliers like Clickatell, for example? I think it should, but I am not sure. I would greatly appreciate an answer. Best regards, David