Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find answers to some frequently asked questions about SMS Enabler.

1. How can I receive text messages on my website using your software?
2. If I sent an SMS from 100 cell phones to SMS Enabler at the exact same time, would it be able to receive all of them?
3. How many text messages can your software receive per minute?
4. Which modems and dongles are supported?
5. Is it possible to use SMS Enabler with multiple modems connected to the same PC?
6. How can my application receive text messages using SMS Enabler? How can I process messages automatically?
7. How can I use your software to receive text messages via Email?
8. Can I run this software in Linux?
9. Can I send USSD commands (numbers like *123# or similar) with this software?
10. I have a question that is not answered above.

How can I receive text messages on my website using your software?
In order to receive messages on your website, you must have a computer running SMS Enabler, with a 3G/GSM modem or dongle connected to it. SMS Enabler must be configured to dispatch received messages via HTTP to the script running on your website. Each time a new message arrives to the modem, the script is triggered and the message is passed to it. In this script, you can implement any processing that you need to perform upon receipt of a message, such as inserting the message into a database.
Read more about how to receive SMS on a Web Server or Website.

If I sent an SMS from 100 cell phones to SMS Enabler at the exact same time, would it be able to receive all of them?
Yes, all of the messages would be received. Messages come to a cell phone/modem through the cellular operator's SMS center. If multiple messages are being sent to the same recipient simultaneously, the cellular provider places them in a special queue, then tries to deliver them one by one to the recipient.

How many text messages can your software receive per minute? What is the maximum throughput?
The limit is about 40 to 60 messages per minute, the exact figure varies and can depend on signal quality. However, if you enable auto-responding, the throughput can drop to 10 to 15 messages per minute, because sending one reply message can take up to 6 seconds.

Which modems are supported?
You can find a partial list of tested 3G/GSM modems and dongles here.

Is it possible to use SMS Enabler with multiple modems connected to the same PC?
Yes, it is possible. To accomplish this, you must run multiple instances of SMS Enabler and configure each instance separately for use with a different modem or dongle. Read more about using SMS Enabler with multiple modems.

How can my application receive text messages using SMS Enabler? How can I process messages automatically?
There are 3 options:
(a) You can use SMS Enabler's SMS-to-Web-server feature to process received messages using a script or web application running on a local or remote web server. Read more about receiving SMS by a web application or script.
(b) Configure SMS Enabler to insert incoming SMS messages into a database table. Your application can scan that table periodically for new records (i.e. new messages) and, when the new records are found, process them. Read more about SMS-to-Database.
(c) Configure SMS Enabler to save received messages using the "one-file-per-message" mode, saving them into a special folder. Scan this folder periodically for new files. When a new file is found, read this file, process its content and either delete it or move it to another folder. Read more about logging SMS into text file(s).

How can I use your software to receive text messages via Email?
You must have an email account that supports SMTP (such as GMail). Set up SMS Enabler to send received SMS messages through this account to the required email address(es). Read more about forwarding SMS to Email.

Can I run this software in Linux?
Yes, you can run it in Linux using WINE compatibility layer. Read more about running it in Linux.

Can I send USSD commands (numbers like *123# or similar) with this software?
Yes, you can send USSD commands. You can also make SMS Enabler to receive USSD command replies as fake incoming SMS messages, which can be processed in the same way as real incoming SMS messages. Read more about it here.

Detailed information and instructions can be found on the documentation page.

If you have a question that is not answered above, nor elsewhere on this website, please send an email to support@smsenabler.com.