The ability to transmit messages from an email address to a mobile telephone number, often referred to as SMS (Short Message Service) or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) via email gateways, is a common feature offered by mobile network operators. This functionality enables users to send text or multimedia content to a phone by addressing an email to a specific format combining the recipient’s phone number and the carrier’s SMS or MMS gateway domain. For example, sending an email to 1234567890@txt.att.net would attempt to deliver a text message to the phone number 123-456-7890 on the AT&T network.
This method provides a convenient way to communicate with mobile users directly from an email client or application. It is useful for scenarios where individuals prefer using email interfaces for sending messages, or when automating SMS notifications from software systems. Historically, it has been a crucial tool for sending alerts, reminders, and marketing messages, especially before the widespread adoption of dedicated SMS API services. While newer methods like dedicated messaging APIs offer more robust features and reliability, the email-to-SMS approach remains a viable option in certain situations.