Sending text messages with PHP

One of my clients is interested in adding text message support to one of their websites.

They currently have an email list that sends out simple tips from time to time to the list. This is very easy and just uses list management software to manage the list and send emails to it.

However the client wants to be able to send SMS / text messages via this to those who enter their mobile or cellphone numbers.

Does anyone know how to send text messages with PHP or at least how to set up this system, like what companies offer this service for instance, how much does it cost and how easy is it.

Also what about sending to people in different countries - does anywhere do this or do you have to set it up separately for each country you want to be able to send text messages in?

Re : Sending text messages with PHP

I don't think there are any built in functions to do this.

What you would need to do is sign up with a provider of text messaging services.

There are several of these in each country and just searching google will quickly give you a list of providers to research.

They tend to have a simple API that you use or interface with in order to send the message, perhaps through the use of sockets for instance.