Cheapest SMS over internet that shows own number?
 

For those who don't already know, it's possible to send SMS messages through internet-based services for a fraction of the cost of your carrier's SMS, sometimes even free. With the right software on your mobile, such as goText, you can use these services over a data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G) and only pay the cost of data + the cost of the SMS from the 3rd party service, if there is one.

I'm looking for the cheapest solution that also shows your mobile number as the sender when it's received (so that any replies go directly back to your mobile). Even better if the SMS doesn't have advertising text tacked on to the end of the message (which also reduces possible message length).

I've already found that I can do this with both Vyke (€.05 per SMS) and Voipcheap (one of the many Betamax VOIP services, €.045 per SMS) using goText. I'm curious to hear anyone's experience of FishText or Chawt.com's Breathe Mobile, or if there are any other services out there with great SMS services that show your own number, particularly to Germany since that's where I'm living.

Thanks!

I'm using Betamax for sending SMS from my mobile. Betamax offers a nice Java midlet called "voipclient" which can be downloaded by opening http://gsm.voipbuster.com directly from your mobile.
Allthough the application is hosted on voipbuster.com you can use it with any Betamax service. Besides SMS the application provides balance information and can also be used to trigger callbacks over the web.
When you change your phone number in the configuration menu, you can receive callbacks on any number and not just on your mobile (e.g. fixed line in a hotel).
If you want your mobile number to be shown as sender for SMS, you need to verify your number with Betamax, which can only be done through the Windows application of the corresponding Betamax brand or in some cases through the website.
Be aware, that if you change your phonenumber in the configuration menu in order to receive a callback on another phone, this also affects the sender information of SMS. If the phonenumber provided is verified as described above, it will appear as sender, otherwise your username will appear (sometimes prefixed with "00").

Update: I've checked out the FishText service further and I'm quite impressed. Not only do they have great SMS rates (€.02/SMS to two of the more popular German networks, €.05 for others) but they have a java app for your phone that can sync with contacts you add online which is much easier than typing them in on your phone (a problem with the goText app). Also, if the recipient is also using FishText and is online when you send the SMS, the delivery is free of charge. Finally, you can receive delivery reports to verify the message was received for each message sent or only when the delivery fails (to save on data costs).

Received messages appear as coming from your mobile number, as I required, and no advertising since it's paid.

I'd still like to hear recommendations for other services if anyone has any.

I tried these links to download java client form my cellphone.

http://gsm.voipbuster.com/download/voipbuster.jar

and
http://gsm.voipbuster.com/download/voipclient.jad


All ok on my N70 Nokia with my voipbuster, smslisto and calleasy account. (i think it works fine on any betamax service)
Really interesting to know also my credit balance and setup requested only few seconds to put in my account name, password and registered number.
Sms and some calls are now less expensive for me ;)

PennyTel - 0.05 AUD per SMS. Welcome to PennyTel

I have fishtext on my BB, but I've tried others. I have no problem spoofing my US number on text messages to other countries, but when I text someone in the US, it shows a different number. Does anyone know why it is so hard to send a spoofed number into the US?

Not really an answer to your question, but Skype has the same problem:
"Please note: For SMS sent to mobile phones in USA, China and Taiwan, neither Skype Name nor validated mobile number are displayed. Instead, these SMS will have generic, pre-defined numbers as sender ID."
Help for Skype – user guides, FAQs, customer support

So maybe it just isn't allowed in the USA.

fishtext
 

is fishtext only available for europe? I tried but it didn't work, it didn;t even send sms to my mobile no, which is in canada.

Have you just tried Download FishText ?

Fishtext is very useful. Thanks for the tip.