<ahref='#q_alternative'>Instead of implementing a SMS gateway as an Android app, why not use X instead? (where X = Twilio, Tropo, Clickatell, FrontlineSMS, RapidSMS, Kannel, etc.)</a>
</li>
<li>
<ahref='#q_phones'>What phones are compatible with EnvayaSMS?</a>
</li>
<li>
<ahref='#q_envaya_org'>What is the relationship between EnvayaSMS and envaya.org?</a>
Instead of implementing a SMS gateway as an Android app, why not use X instead? (where X = Twilio, Tropo, Clickatell, FrontlineSMS, RapidSMS, Kannel, etc.)
</h4>
<p>
The existing alternative methods for creating SMS gateways can generally be categorized as
hosted services (e.g. Twilio, Tropo, Clickatell), connecting GSM phones/modems to a computer (e.g. FrontlineSMS, RapidSMS, Kannel),
and partnering directly with mobile operators.
</p>
<p>
The table below summarizes the major benefits and drawbacks of each of these methods for creating an SMS gateway:
</p>
<tableclass='comparison_table'>
<thead>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<th>Benefits</th>
<th>Drawbacks</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Hosted services</th>
<td>
<ul><li>High message throughput
<li>Easy to deploy</ul>
</td>
<td>
<ul><li>No local numbers in many countries
<li>Usually no MMS support</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>Connecting modem<br/> to computer</th>
<td>
<ul><li>Can work with inexpensive phone</li></ul>
</td>
<td>
<ul><li>Expensive hardware costs
<li>Lots of moving parts to keep working
<li>Very difficult for non-technical users to deploy
<li>Low message throughput
<li>No MMS support</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>Partnering with<br/>mobile operators</th>
<td>
<ul>
<li>High message throughput
<li>Can provide free service to users via shortcode</ul>
</td>
<td>
<ul><li>Usually very expensive
<li>Requires operator approval
<li>Long setup time</li></ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
EnvayaSMS is ideal for situations where no hosted services with local numbers are available in
a particular country, or when it is necessary to receive MMS messages.
</p>
<p>
EnvayaSMS likely has lower throughput than hosted services or partnering with mobile operators, but should
be able to forward up to a few thousand messages per phone per day.
