Mobile Subscribers[Advice Needed]

[modpluz]

Good day,
i am curious as how to go about getting a list of subscribers from a mobile network operator, is it that you'll have to talk to the network operator themselves or is there a way to go about it.

for example, where i come from, there are couple of mobile operators and a client once asked me if he could send an sms to mobile subscribers nationwide(i also provide sms solutions).

so am curious as to how to go about getting/pulling subscribers from a mobile network operators.

Thank You

[dilettante]

Why on earth would they help you spam their whole network? Many people have to pay per-message to receive SMS messages. SMS is evil.

[modpluz]

it is not spamming, for example if they have a promo that they'll like their subscribers to know about, won't they send a mass sms?, they will(cos i have received promotional sms from my operator tons of time).

and i have seen services like this from big events orgarnisers(e.g. Idol West Africa).

what i just want to know is how it is done...

moreover, what i always do is to create a gateway for mobile users to willingly subscribe to the particular service, then the subscribed users are those who will receive the sms.

and oh...where i come from, we don't get charged for receiving text messages.

[si_the_geek]

It is spamming if they haven't explicitly agreed to receive that kind of thing from you (the contract with your operator almost certainly includes agreement for messages from them).

Create some kind of interface (most likely a web page) for the users to sign up if they want to.

[dclamp]

I agree with si. It is spamming.

My mobile provider (AT&T) has "Push Messages" that have special promotion offers, however my phone allows me to turn them off.

Also, if you start sending SMS from a number, it could be blacklisted.

[modpluz]

Create some kind of interface (most likely a web page) for the users to sign up if they want to.
that was what i advised, but they said the project was big and they want as much audience as possible(as there is going to be a raffle draw).

and it might be useful to know that there are other firms who do these(mass sms/spamming) already.

am just curious to know how they do it thats all.

Thank You.

[mendhak]

You'll probably need to negotiate a contract with the provider and then get the provider to send that message out. Just a bit of marketing rather than code.

[DeanMc]

As an employee for the worlds largest mobile operator let me tell you that you are wasting your time going to the operator for a list of numbers. There is no way in hell they will give you subs like that. How these things work is one of two ways. 1: The company buys a premium rate text number from the Regulator for premium rate services and negotiates with third party company to get numbers from customers. 2: The company approaches an operator with a proposition and generally pays a cut for the operator to broadcast the message.

Their are 3 big company's in Ireland currently being investigated for using wardiallers to get customers and for every one they get fined 20,000 euros so I wouldn't bother with that!

[Davadvice]

hi,

this is spam, however if you want the numbers you can go to companies who provide this information in a "legal Manner" Be prepaired to spend mega bucks for the priveldge.

the type of company that may be able to assist are those silly ringtone companies who have idiots for customers anyway so they wont mind you sending total Scambait to them.
They will be more likley to respond to your friends Scam as they strugle to see why paying £3 for one ringtone is not very bright.

Good Luck.
David