Port only SMS Function - Recommended Supported Providers

[nighthawk]

I am looking for recommendations on an SMS/MMS provider supported by 3CX that I can port just the SMS/MMS functionality of my numbers to. I am currently using SIPTRUNK.com and want to use 3CX SMS/MMS with my existing numbers. I have used Twilio in the past, but wasn't sure if they could port just the SMS/MMS functionality of the number.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Additionally, is there a third port level just for faxes? We have been using mFAX for eFax, but would love to give our teams the ability to fax, call and SMS from the same number. I have not read that this is possible, but thought I would ask!

Thank you in advance!

 

[cobaltit]

Any of the supported SMS providers should support SMS only porting. That being said, while 3CX has been slow in adding additional providers to their supported list, I've heard there may be a more general API coming (hopefully in SP3) that may open up integration so it may just be worth it to wait a little longer if you can. But we've also heard we'd be included much sooner in the process so you can take that with a grain of salt.

For the fax, unfortunately no, there's no separate fax porting. Fax is a much older technology and is basically just a phone call so there's no differentiator. SMS was not an original telephone service but is rather 'overlayed' on top which allows it to be be split off/routed indepedently. The only way to accomplish your goal would be to have a provider that does SIP/t.38/SMS and then you'd need a PBX product that would answer all voice calls and listen in to try and determine if it's a voice or fax call and then route.

 

[nighthawk]

Thank you @cobaltit. This is exactly the information I needed. I appreciate you taking the time to provide so much information. I will proceed with Twilio since I am already familiar with them.

One of my clients used to use a phone system that would receive Fax, SMS and Calls to the same number and were disappointed when they realized this was not possible. I am not actually to concerned!