SMS, we need to be localized operating system, the only consideration in Africa module, before writing " operations in Africa Internet system - Infrastructure " also describes the history of the short construction, currently our SMS program has come here specially to share It may not be the optimal solution, but still can be used for learning from each other.
Self-built SMS device before December 2018, we are used to complete the sale of user text messages to inform, but also try to find a local channel operators period, and no substantive progress. At the same time a third-party service providers also offer combination is expected to lower business volume calculations, very worthwhile (and self-built unit price comparison). Self-built process has also been thinking about other options.
The figure is in front of my visit to Africa, in Taobao to buy a single SIM card can be inserted SMS device (less than 50RMB), the store offers a full drive and examples Demo, basically peer SMS, and not just send it using a mobile phone pre-feasibility study to test the program.
Taobao has bought two industrial-grade messaging device (about 1500RMB / Taiwan), can be inserted 16 SIM cards, the same principles and above a single card, but more channels. Actually Nigeria deployed only the one, the other backup, then with industrial host + battery (power about 8 hours of battery life).
Self-built SMS program in a small volume of business early, when barely sustain for some time, the volume of business up there is a variety of stability problems, one after another drive problems, manufacturers can not solve. Also, such a development as well as the risk of being targeted SMS with the SIM card, hold for a few months after we ultimately chose docking third-party SMS service providers.
December 2018 we butt of the "clouds" message, then docking offer is RMB1 wool 5 / hair pieces Nigeria, stability and reach test are still OK.
At the same time, "Year of the Blue" SMS is also docking test, docking offer is more than RMB2 hair, then the testing process and the arrival rate is not ideal, since the first charge must 2000RMB, and the docking of sales has had several call, offer too clear, so I shelved.
Recent actually have another company in Hong Kong messaging service, directly linked to the subject that I (quote 2 gross), to which my material still remained "a blue" text messages, apparently not delete a clean copy. Confuse a former employee business, or have any contact, the water is too deep. . .
直至2019年8月都是使用“云片”短信，8月底就被“云片”掐了脖子，直接翻了2倍多，坐地涨价到4毛6（没有任何通知，过了几天才发现涨价了）。
后面的两三天，我们迅速陆续对接了“阿里云”和“华为云”的短信服务，并发布上线。
阿里云的短信价格比较稳定，一直都维持在RMB2毛五六，使用2个月非常稳定，除了开始对接的时候有签名乱码的问题，提工单后就快速解决了，至今没有新的问题。
到达率显示只有90%左右，但实际市场效果来看，没有那么低，能满足需求。---貌似低于95%还会返10%的补偿。
华为云对接过程中问题比较多，而且很多国际短信查询功能不完善，有的权限需要提工单才给打开，而且对接接口也不友好（居然采用占位的方式给模板参数赋值，调用接口还需要是“JSON字符串”---不是标准JSON，必须给参数固定顺序），非常麻烦，显然不适合多模板参数，选为备选方案。
尼日利亚子公司运营推广过程中发现几家本地短信服务商，价格极低，而且稳定性非常好，基本上都是秒达，接口非常宽松，对接也非常方便。
发现新大陆后马上启动对接，当地不同运营商发送短信价格会差一点点，这个跟国内早期移动发短信给联通价格有差别一样。
下面这家价格更低，平均2分钱RMB一条，相比“阿里云”要便宜10倍以上。
总结：
1、当地短信为主，阿里、华为 Plan B；
2、业界“短信服务”水很深，永远不要停止探索“最低价”；
3、还是那句话，前期不要自己造轮子，省不了几个钱。
PS：文章写到的几家短信服务商的问题，都是个人对接过程中的实录（非评价），和本人对其产品的立场无关。
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