Email2SMS - FAQ

Email2SMS FAQ

Content

Can I use a mailserver IP address for authentication?
Can I use multiple domains for authentication?
Which is safer, Domain or IP Authentication?
I use PHP mail() function to send email2sms but it doesn't work. What should I check?
Can I send to more than one recipient?
Can the source number be set when sending a message?
Can the recipient see a name instead of a number when they receive a message?
Can I see when a recipient received a message on their handset?
Can I see when a recipient reads a SMS message I sent them?
Can I send MMS?
Who do I contact for more information or help?
Where can I get a copy of the 'service rules'?

Can I use a mailserver IP address for authentication?

Yes. If you have multiple domains all using the same mailserver then we can configure IP authentication. You should be the sole user of the IP address though as all messages sent via that IP address will be charged to your account.

Can I use multiple domains for authentication?

Yes. There is an additional monthly charge for extra domains or IP addresses used for authentication. Contact Bulletin Wireless with the details of the new Domains or IP Addresses and we will let you know the costs.

Which is safer, Domain or IP Authentication?

Email is an open system and subject to abuse and 'identity theft', as anyone that has received spam is aware of. Remember, it is easy to fake an email address when sending messages so where ever possible we recommend using IP based authentication as this is much harder to fake than a domain name.
Note, that IP Authentication is not always possible (eg users of an ISP mail server or other shared mail server) and so care should be taken.
For more security options consider Bulletin Messenger that has a web interface as well as email, or Bulletin Connect as a carrier grade API that will allow you to build your own SMS product or integrate into your existing services.

I use PHP mail() function to send email2sms but it doesn't work. What should I check?

Email2sms users the Mail From value out of the email header which is usually (but not always) the same as the "Reply-to" value) used in the SMTP connection to the mail server.
For example if you are looking at a email connection session using Telnet you would see something like the following
```
S: 220 www.example.com ESMTP Postfix
C: HELO mydomain.com
S: 250 Hello mydomain.com
C: MAIL FROM:<sender@mydomain.com>
S: 250 Ok
C: RCPT TO:<friend@example.com>
S: 250 Ok
C: DATA
S: 354 End data with <CR><LF>.<CR><LF>
C: Subject: test message
C: From: sender@mydomain.com
C: To: friend@example.com
C:
C: Hello,
C: This is a test.
C: Goodbye.
C: .
S: 250 Ok: queued as 12345
C: QUIT
S: 221 Bye
```
It is the 4th line C: MAIL FROM:<sender@mydomain.com> that is the value used to authenticate.
Using PHP this value is defined using -f parameter

$to = '64798765412@mail2sms.net.nz, test@yourdomain.co.nz'; $subject = 'test'; $message = 'hello'; $headers = 'From: test@yourdomain.co.nz'. "\r\n" . 'Reply-To: test@yourdomain.co.nz' . "\r\n" . 'X-Mailer: PHP/' . phpversion(); mail($to,$subject,$message,$headers,"-f test@yourdomain.co.nz'");

The parameter which defines the return path is "-f test@yourdomain.co.nz'".
Keep all the addresses the same and if you have further issues then contact Bulletin Wireless.

Can I send to more than one recipient?

Yes. Like any email you can send to multiple SMS recipients using the same method as for one. Be aware that some mail servers reject messages sent to more than 20 recipients.

Can the source number be set when sending a message?

Not with Email2SMS, this can be done using the Bulletin Connect service though.

Can the recipient see a name instead of a number when they receive a message?

Not with Email2sms but some networks do allow you to set a word or string of words as the number recipients see as the sender of an SMS if you use the Bulletin Connect service.

Can I see when a recipient received a message on their handset?

Not with Email2sms but if you use the Bulletin Messenger service you see this information in the online message log as well as use other advanced functionality.

Can I see when a recipient reads a SMS message I sent them?

No. Standard SMS does not provide this sort of information. You may be able to obtain this sort of information using information from a webserver. For example send the recipient a SMS containing a Unique URL then monitor your webserver logs for when that URL is activated.

Can I send MMS?

No. Using the Bulletin Connect service you could send the recipient a WAP Push message with content or send an SMS with a link to a page with content.

Who do I contact for more information or help?

If your questions are not answered here then contact Bulletin Wireless Support including the following information.
- Your email address
- Contact Phone Number (please include Country and time zone so we are able to call you if necessary)
- Specific details. Clearly state your intention or issue and provide all relevant details. It is better to provide more information than too little and in the process of gathering the information your solution may actually appear without further assistance being required. State what you are trying to do and what you have tried.

Where can I get a copy of the 'service rules'?

You can request a copy of the Service Rules here. As these are dictated by mobile network providers, they are subject to change. Please provide an email address that they can be sent to and that any changes can be notified to in the future.