SMS-MMS
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Revision as of 21:09, 13 August 2021
| Article en Français | Artículo en Español |
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What is SMS or MMS
SMS means Short Message Service (SMS) this.With the addition of Multimedia Message Service (MMS) to the service, users are now capable of sending and receiving media files (photos, videos, and audio) as well as sending text messages with more than 160 characters (which is the limit for an SMS). The MMS service also allows the user to send a message to multiple recipients at the same time.
Blog Articles
Benefits of SMS/MMS Campaigns vs. Email Marketing
How to Generate Leads with SMS/MMS?
Instantly Boost Your Customer Experience, Allow Your Customers to Text You!
Service Limitations
🏗️ Please notice that the MMS service is in the Beta phase.
- It is important to us that you report any issues with this service by sending an email to support so that the developers can get involved if necessary.
⚠️ LIMITATIONS
- ➜ The limit of the capacity to send SMS/MMS via the portal is unlimited.
- ➜ The limit of sending SMS/MMS via the API is limited to 100 per day. For any modification to the limit, please contact support or open a ticket via the customer portal.
- ➜ At the moment, receiving and reading MMS is only possible through the message center or by using the SMS/MMS Forward option. MMS through SIP protocol is not available.
- ➜ The SMS/MMS Service is only available for US and Canadian local DID Numbers marked with the distinctive SMS/MMS Icon.
- ➜ The SMS/MMS Service can only be used to send MMS Messages to Canadian and US 10 digit numbers at this time.
- ➜ SIP SMS messages will only be delivered to and accepted from SIP trunks using username/password authentication.
- ➜ SIP SMS messages use the SIP MESSAGE method. See RFC 3428 for details.
- ➜ At this time we cannot guarantee that Short Code SMS Messages, which are usually 6 digits or less (e.g.: Skype, Bank Codes, TV Commercials etc...) will work.
- ➜ We cannot guarantee that accents or special characters including non-Latin letters will be properly delivered.
- ➜ Public URL shorteners such as bit.ly, tinyurl.com etc, are widely restricted by mobile providers as a response from the industry to combat SPAM campaigns and protect the consumer. Including this type of links into your messages may result in a blocked or undelivered message.
- ➜ For Ported In Numbers compatible with the feature: The SMS/MMS Functionality will be available up to 48 hours after the porting process is marked as Completed.
- ➜ VoIP.ms reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to limit or disable the SMS/MMS service from any account that may present marketing patterns/automation patterns/bulk sending or receiving.
💬 NOTE : If you have further questions don't hesitate to contact the Support Staff on the Live Chat or Ticket System.
- ➜ MMS Messages have a cost of $0.02 per incoming and outgoing message.
- ➜ Additionally, please note of the following restrictions for sending MMS:
- ➜ Permitted attachment types are JPG, GIF, JPEG, PNG, MP3, WAV, MIDI, MP4 and 3GP.
- ➜ The maximum size for each attachment is 1300 KB. (1.3 MB)
- ➜ You can attach up to 3 files.
- ➜ Maximum characters in a text message is 2048.
Identifying a DID Number SMS/MMS capable
The first thing you need to know is that this feature is only available for local US and Canadian numbers at this time. You will note that some numbers have a little 
icon, this indicates that the number supports this feature.
You can start ordering a DID Number from your portal >> DID Numbers >> Order DID >> Local Numbers >> (US or Canada) Numbers and you will be able to purchase your desired number, just make sure it supports the MMS feature.
Configuring the SMS/MMS service
Once purchased the SMS/MMS Service needs to be activated on the DID settings, from your portal >> DID Numbers >> Manage DID >> Edit Selection >> SMS/MMS configuration section.
In that section, you can activate and configure some forward options for the SMS/MMS service.
Sending a SMS/MMS (Web Interface)
Step 1
Click the "send New Message" button to get a list of contacts displayed or directly type in the number into the contact text field. If this number is registered in the phonebook, it will display its name instead.
Step 2
Click to display the list of available DID numbers. Choose the number to send the message from.
Step 3
Write your message on the text field and click the red arrow to send it. Text messages up to 160 characters will be considered SMS. Media messages or text messages over 160 characters will be considered MMS and you will see the icon turning from SMS to MMS indicating of this.
Step 4
In order to send a media file over an MMS, click the clip button to browse and choose a media file.
Click the browse button to search for the media file in your computer or drag and drop the file directly into the box.
The attached files will show below the text box.
Once the message is sent, a new conversation will be opened on the left. Selecting this conversation will show the messages history on the box.
Receiving an SMS/MMS (Web Interface)
While SMS messages can be received directly in an App through the SIP Protocol and correct configuration, at the moment, receiving and reading MMS is only possible through the message center.
You can access the communication center from your customer portal at DID numbers > SMS/MMS Message Center. Any message received will appear here on the left side of the panel.
Use the DID Filter to choose and display messages for a specific DID number or for all DID numbers. You can also filter the messages by date and time zone.
Choose a conversation from the left panel. An option to delete the conversation is also available. Choose the DID number from the text box to reply.
SMS - Text Message
Short Message Service (SMS). This feature will allow you to send and receive messages with your DID Number (US and Canada DID Numbers Only).
Please note that this feature is for regular customer usage. No automation, telemarketing, bulk sending or receiving will be allowed.
Our SMS service is no longer in BETA. Starting August 1st 2020, SMS messages will be charged at a rate of $0.0075 per messages.
Identifying a SMS DID Number
You will note that some numbers have a little icon of a cellphone device, this indicates that the number supports SMS. Please note that not all locations support SMS at this time.
You can start ordering a DID Number from your portal >> DID Numbers >> Order DID >> Local Numbers >> (US or Canada) Numbers and you will be able to purchase your desired number, just make sure it supports the SMS feature.
Configuring the SMS service
Once purchased the SMS Service needs to be activated on the DID settings, from your portal >> DID Numbers >> Manage DID >> Edit Selection >> SMS.
On that section you can activate and configure some forward options for the SMS service.
The first action to take is to mark the Short Message Service (SMS) service, by enabling this field the SMS Service will be active and have a charge of $0.0075 per SMS.
- VoIP.ms SMS/MMS Portal: This is enabled by default and it can't be modified, that means that you will be able to create and send messages from the SMS Message Center.
- SMS/MMS Email Address: By activating this option all the SMS Messages will be sent to the email address you configure in this field. The advantage of this option is that you will receive your SMS Messages directly to your email and you will be able to Reply to these messages from your email too. You just need to click on reply to the email. Please note that e-mail responses are as well limited to 160 characters and if they exceed this limit, they'll be split in two (or more messages if applies) when sent.
To reply the SMS Message via your email it is important to click on Reply and DON'T change or modify the destination mail "TO" ([email protected])and the subject E.G [#USXXX] Message sent to 5555555555.
- SMS/MMS Forward: You can have your SMS Messages forwarded to your cellphone or any other number that supports SMS, with this option you will receive the SMS Messages from our system to the configured phone number.
The CallerID sent to the Call Forwarded Cell Phone will be the DID Number that received the SMS Message. Is not possible to forward the original Caller ID at this time.
- SMS/MMS SIP Account: You can have your SMS Messages forwarded to your selected SIP account. They will be sent through our SMS/SIP gateway as a SIP MESSAGE.
The destination ("To" header field) of the SIP MESSAGE will be your account name, instead of the destination number of the original SMS.
- SMS/MMS URL Callback: By enabling this option you will be able to send the messages to another destination e.g. your own server. If selected SMS Messages received by your DID will Send a GET request to the URL Callback provided. Available variables for your URL:
{ID} The ID of the SMS message.
{TIMESTAMP} The date and time the message was received.
{FROM} The phone number that sent you the message
{TO} The DID Number that received the message
{MESSAGE} The content of the message
Example: http: //mysite.com/sms.php?to={TO}&from={FROM}&message={MESSAGE}&id={ID}&date={TIMESTAMP}
- URL Callback Retry: When selected, we will be expecting an "ok" output (without quotes) from your URL callback page as an indicator that you have received the message correctly. If we don't received the "ok" (without quotes) from your callback page, we will keep sending you the same message every 30 minutes.
Once you configure the desired option, click on Apply Changes.
Send and Receive Text Messages (Web Interface)
SMS Message Center for mobile
To start using the service you will need to use the SMS Message Center, from your portal >> DID Numbers >> SMS Message Center.
For Mobile Devices please use sms.voip.ms as a complete all in one solution.
From the SMS Message Center you can check your SMS History, send and receive SMS messages.
- Search Range: Select a Date Range of your SMS History. You can select a time period by marking the "Show Details" field and the text messages will be displayed.
- Search Filter: You can filter your Search by DID, Contact and Type (Sent, Received and Both).
- Send New SMS Messages: Another window will open by clicking here in order to create a new SMS Message.
- Delete Selected Messages: This action will delete any messages that you have selected, by clicking on the box next to them. This action cannot be undone.
- Delete All Messages: Delete ALL your SMS Messages, both sent and received. This action cannot be undone.
- Checking a Message: To check a received SMS Message just click it directly in order to display the information.
Create a New SMS Message (Legacy)
You can create a new SMS Message we will explain you all the parameters you can find on this section:
- DID: If you have more than one DID Number you can select any of the numbers available to send your message.
- Contact: The destination phone number or if you have a Phone book entry start typing the name and the system will display the information if available.
- Message: You can create your message on that field, please note that you have up to 160 characters.
Then click on 'Send Message' to send the SMS.
Send and Receive Messages (via SIP MESSAGE Protocol)
SMS via SIP service is only available through SIP Protocol and user/password authentication. IP Auth and IAX2 are not available at this time.
Please refer to our guide SIP/SMS with FreePBX for instructions on how to configure the service with a FreePBX
Sending
- DID must have the "Short Message Service (SMS)" service option enabled. This option can be enabled from the Manage DIDs > Edit DID page.
- To send an SMS from your SIP account, it is required that you set your Caller ID number to one of your SMS enabled DIDs. This will be the number you will be sending the message from. You can configure the Caller ID number from your customer portal for the specific subaccount if you are using a softphone or directly from your extension or trunk if you are using an Asterisk or PBX server.
- It's important to note that if you configure your caller ID name in your SIP client to be a 10 digits number, this will override your caller ID number. If the caller ID name is anything different than a 10 digits number this will be discarded and the Caller ID number will be used.
- If you are an asterisk or PBX user, please make sure to use the latest version of Asterisk (v12 or higher) and use chan_pjsip for the trunk. This is an asterisk limitation.
- The Desktop version of Zoiper requires the user to have the PRO version activated to be able to send SMS messages as well as to enable SIP Presence. Please contact Technical Support to request SIP presence to be enabled for your account for the VoIP.ms POP you are using. While normally not required, there may be other cases not documented of softphones or apps requiring SIP Presence to be enabled. Please contact technical support if you encounter any issue with your specific software.
- The free Desktop version of Zoiper cannot send SMS messages and is only capable of receiving SMS.
- The mobile version of Zoiper is completely free of these limitations. Free version already works for sending and receiving without the need of SIP presence.
- When sending an SMS message, the recipient number must be 10 digits. Avoid using the prefix '"1"' since is not supported at the moment. The system will recognize the numbers as in 10 digits.
- The current characters limit for a single SMS is 160. If a message is bigger than 160 characters it will be split into blocks of up to 160 characters each and be sent as independent messages. The maximum total message length for SMS via SIP is 2000 characters.
Receiving
- NOTE: AT THE MOMENT SENDING MMS USING SIP ACCOUNT IS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME.
- DID must have the "Message Service (SMS/MMS)" service option enabled. This option can be enabled from the Manage DIDs > Edit DID page.
- Enable the option "SMS SIP Account" and select the account destination for your SMS messages to this number.
- The account receiving SMS must be registered successfully in any of our POPs.
- To ensure the best results receiving the SMS messages, do not register the same SIP account on more than one softphone or app at the same time, this can lead to unexpected results.
- For SIP devices that require this information, such as a trunk or PBX, we encode the original destination number in a custom SIP header field named "X-SMS-To".
- 3CX softphone currently does not support any third party SMS service. It will only work by having a direct connection to the 3CX PBX system. Please contact 3CX for more details.
Send SIP/SMS with FreePBX
- NOTE: AT THE MOMENT SENDING MMS USING SIP ACCOUNT IS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME.
It is possible to configure a FreePBX system to send SMS, please refer here for detailed instructions.
SMS/MMS using the Reseller Interface
The feature is available for your client through the Reseller interface. You must enable this feature in your package in order to give your customers the ability to leverage this.
Go under the navigation bar on [Reseller] then click on [Manage Rates & Packages]
Click on the Edit button to edit your package, or click on [Create a new package] to create a new one.
Go under the [Reseller System Configuration] Tab, and on the section "Type of configuration" select: [Package Configuration],
Then scroll down and find the feature "’’’SMS/MMS’’’", and enable it.
Enabling/Disabling SMS/MMS on your DID
For your client to enable or disable SMS/MMS from his portal, your customer will need to head under Services, My Services.
Then proceed by heading into ‘’’DID Lists’’’ tab and edit DID.
You will then be able to enable SMS/MMS, receive via email and more.
Your clients access to their SMS/MMS via their portal
1) To gain access to their SMS/MMS messages, head under Services and then SMS/MMS.
