'Long SMS' updated to support Concatenated SMS

Concatenated SMS, the handset feature which enables you to send more than 160 characters and have multiple SMS linked as one, is now supported by Kapow! Concatenated SMS is a feature of most modern handsets and allows multiple SMS to be read as one long message, avoiding the need to header message parts e.g 1/2 etc. Each message part will be billed as one credit and you will be able to identify concatenated messages in your message sending logs by the delivery status, the status will be followed by how many parts the message contained e.g. D3.

This new development is an update to the existing 'Long SMS' feature and can be enabled through the 'options' tab of your account. By default the maximum number of parts is set to 3, but you can alter this to suit your requirements (up to 9 message parts/1,377 characters).

International Virtual Incoming SMS

We are now able to provide MSISDN's for nearly every Country Worlwide.

This allows you to utilise a 'local' number to receive Incoming SMS messages via email or http. Benefits include local text rates when sending SMS to the number from a local mobile phone, and increased familiarity for users.

Please ask your Account Manager for specifics.

Long SMS

An SMS messages can be up to 160 characters in length. Previously if 160 characters were sent through the service the message would be truncated. New functionaility named 'Long SMS' enables your account to process message content longer than the 160 Characters allowed within a single SMS message.

If enabled (via the 'options' section of your account), the content will automatically be broken in to parts and sent with headers to signify the correct order. You may also choose to set a limit on the number of message parts that can be sent (by default this is set to 3).

Long SMS is available when sending messages via HTTP and Email 2 SMS.

Improved SMS to Landline delivery for Kapow! users

It has been possible to send SMS messages through the Kapow! service to compatible UK Landlines for some time. Landline Companies only accept messages sent with a numerical from-id and during our constant service monitoring we noticed that many messages were failing because users had not set their from-id correctly.

For this reason we have made changes at our end which alter any non-numerical from-ids for messages that are destined for Landlines. These messages will now come from '12345', meaning that the messages will be accepted by the landline Companies.

Previously, only Kapow! users who had the from-id enabled were able to send SMS to UK landlines, these new changes mean all kapow! users will be able to send SMS to compatible Landlines successfully.

The over-riding will happen after messages have been submitted, so the from-id will appear as the original in the message sending logs.

Since the changes took place we have seen a huge increase of successfully delivered SMS to landlines.

Premium SMS via Webform

It is now possible to send Premium SMS messages via our easy to use online webform, in addition to previous Interfaces.

Users whose accounts have been enabled for sending Premium SMS will see a new drop down box on their webform, which allows them to select the PricePoint which messages should be sent over.

This allows clients to send Premium SMS to groups and contacts already added to their Kapow! account.