Cell phone providers have email servers that can send emails as text messages. To use this service, you simply have to know your recipient's carrier and their email server's address. You can even mass text by creating an email distribution list or using a spreadsheet with mail merge. If you mail merge, you can even include personal names and other info in your text message for each recipient.
Here's how it works: Verizon's email server is located at vtext.com. If we know that our recipient is a Verizon customer and their phone number is (123) 555 - 1234, we can enter this email address into the "To" line in any email program:
Then we can type a short subject and a brief message and send the email. The message will travel from our computer to the vtext.com email server, convert to a text message, and arrive at our recipient's phone in seconds. Just remember that most phones can only receive messages of 140 to 160 characters including the subject, so write carefully! Also, keep in mind that your recipient's might be charged for receiving your text messages if they do not have texting on their cell phone plan.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Warning: Unsolicited texts may be illegal in your state or may be considered illegal by a court of law. Always get permission from your recipients to text them before sending messages, especially mass texts! It is a good idea to get permission when you ask for a recipient's provider (you'll need that information for the email server anyway). For added protection, have recipients fill out a short form that asks for their phone number, carrier, and permission to send texts to their cell phone.
Here's a list of several providers and their email servers from livejournal.com. Some have since merged or closed but I'll leave them in case they are of some value.
Aliant (NBTel, MTT, NewTel, and Island Tel) (from: 11, msg: 140, total: 140)
Enter your phone number. Message is sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Alltel (from: 50, msg: 116, total: 116)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ameritech (ACSWireless) (from: 120, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Arch Wireless (from: 15, msg: 240, total: 240)
Enter your phone number. Sent via http://www.arch.com/message/ (assumes blank PIN)
AT&T (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
AU by KDDI (from: 20, msg: 10000, total: 10000)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
BeeLine GSM (from: 50, msg: 255, total: 255)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bell Mobility Canada (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter your phone number, including the 1 prefix. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bellsouth (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
BellSouth Mobility (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Blue Sky Frog (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Boost (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cellular South (from: 50, msg: 155, total: 155)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CellularOne (Dobson) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CellularOne West (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Centennial Wireless (from: 10, msg: 110, total: 110)
Enter your phone number. Sent via http://www.centennialwireless.com
Cincinnati Bell (from: 20, msg: 50, total: 50)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Claro (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Comviq (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dutchtone/Orange-NL (from: 15, msg: 150, total: 150)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Edge Wireless (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
EinsteinPCS / Airadigm Communications (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
EPlus (from: 20, msg: 480, total: 480)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Estonia Mobile Telefon (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Sent via webform.
Fido Canada (from: 15, msg: 140, total: 140)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Golden Telecom (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number or nickname. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Idea Cellular (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kyivstar (from: 30, msg: 160, total: 160)
Sent by addressing the message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
LMT (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter your username. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Manitoba Telecom Systems (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
10-digit phone number. Goes to @text.mtsmobility.com
Meteor (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Metro PCS (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Metrocall Pager (from: 120, msg: 120, total: 120)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MobileOne (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mobilfone (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mobility Bermuda (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MTS Primtel (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Sent via web gateway.
Netcom (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nextel (from: 50, msg: 126, total: 126)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Note: do not use dashes in your phone number.
NPI Wireless (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
NTC (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Sent via web gateway.
O2 (formerly BTCellnet) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter O2 username - must be enabled first at http://www.o2.co.uk. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
O2 M-mail (formerly BTCellnet) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter phone number, omitting initial zero - must be enabled first by sending an SMS saying "ON" to phone number "212". Goes to +44[number]@mmail.co.uk.
Optus (from: 20, msg: 114, total: 114)
Enter your phone number. Goes to @optusmobile.com.au
Orange (UK) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to @orange.net. You will need to create a user account at orange.net first.
Oskar (from: 20, msg: 320, total: 320)
Enter your phone number. Goes to @mujoskar.cz
Other (from: 15, msg: 100, total: 100)
If your provider isn't supported directly, enter the email address that sends you a text message in phone number field. To be safe, the entire message is sent in the body of the message, and the length limit is really short. We'd prefer you give us information about your provider so we can support it directly.
Pagenet (from: 20, msg: 220, total: 240)
10-digit phone number (or gateway and pager number separated by a period). Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
PCS Rogers (from: 20, msg: 125, total: 125)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Requires prior registration with PCS Rogers.
Personal Communication (Sonet) (from: 20, msg: 150, total: 150)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your number in the subject line.
Plus GSM Poland (from: 20, msg: 620, total: 620)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Powertel (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Primtel (from: 20, msg: 150, total: 150)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PSC Wireless (from: 20, msg: 150, total: 150)
Enter your phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Qualcomm (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter your username. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Qwest (from: 14, msg: 100, total: 100)
10-digit phone number. Goes to @qwestmp.com
Safaricom (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
Goes to @safaricomsms.com
Satelindo GSM (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
Goes to @satelindogsm.com
SCS-900 (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
Goes to @scs-900.ru
Simple Freedom (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
Goes to @text.simplefreedom.net
Skytel - Alphanumeric (from: 15, msg: 240, total: 240)
Enter your 7-digit pin number as your number and your message will be mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Smart Telecom (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to @mysmart.mymobile.ph
Smarts GSM (from: 11, msg: 70, total: 70)
Enter your phone number. Sent via http://www.samara-gsm.ru/scripts/smsgate.exe
Southern Linc (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your 10-digit phone number. Goes to @page.southernlinc.com
Sprint PCS (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your 10-digit phone number. Goes to @messaging.sprintpcs.com
Sprint PCS - Short Mail (from: 15, msg: 1000, total: 1000)
Enter your phone number. Goes to @sprintpcs.com
SunCom (from: 18, msg: 110, total: 110)
Enter your number. Email will be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
SureWest Communications (from: 20, msg: 200, total: 200)
Enter your phone number. Message will be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SwissCom Mobile (from: 20, msg: 10000, total: 10000)
Enter your phone number. Message will be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
T-Mobile Germany (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your number. Email will be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
T-Mobile Netherlands (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
Send "EMAIL ON" to 555 from your phone, then enter your number starting with 316. Email will be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
T-Mobile UK (from: 30, msg: 160, total: 160)
Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
T-Mobile USA (from: 30, msg: 160, total: 160)
Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
T-Mobile USA (Sidekick) (from: 30, msg: 10000, total: 10000)
Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tele2 Latvia (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Telefonica Movistar (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telenor (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Telia Denmark (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
8-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Telus Mobility (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Phone House (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
TIM (from: 30, msg: 350, total: 350)
10-digit phone number. Goes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
UMC (from: 10, msg: 120, total: 120)
Sent by addressing the message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Unicel (from: 10, msg: 120, total: 120)
Sent by addressing the message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
US Cellular (from: , msg: 150, total: 150)
Enter a 10 digit USCC Phone Number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Verizon Wireless (from: 34, msg: 140, total: 140)
Enter your 10-digit phone number. Messages are sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Verizon Wireless (formerly Airtouch) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This is ONLY for former AirTouch customers. Verizon Wireless customers should use Verizon Wireless instead.
Verizon Wireless (myairmail.com) (from: 34, msg: 140, total: 140)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent via to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Vessotel (from: 20, msg: 800, total: 800)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Virgin Mobile Canada (from: 20, msg: 140, total: 140)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Virgin Mobile USA (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Vodafone Italy (from: 20, msg: 132, total: 132)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone Japan (Chuugoku/Western) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone Japan (Hokkaido) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone Japan (Hokuriko/Central North) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone Japan (Kansai/West -- including Osaka) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone Japan (Kanto/Koushin/East -- including Tokyo) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone Japan (Kyuushu/Okinawa) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone Japan (Shikoku) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone Japan (Touhoku/Niigata/North) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone Japan (Toukai/Central) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone Spain (from: 20, msg: 90, total: 90)
Enter your username. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vodafone UK (from: 20, msg: 70, total: 90)
Enter your username. Messages are sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Weblink Wireless (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to @airmessage.net
WellCom (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
Enter your phone number. Goes to @sms.welcome2well.com
WyndTell (from: 20, msg: 480, total: 500)
Enter username/phone number. Goes to @wyndtell.com
