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SMS Link for Microsoft® Office Outlook® 2007 FAQ

Find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about SMS Link for Microsoft® Office Outlook® 2007.

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Overview

Q.What is SMS Link?
A.SMS Link for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 allows Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 users to connect with mobile phones by using SMS text messaging.

Q.Is there a difference between SMS and Text Messages?
A.Short Message Service (SMS) permits sending of short messages (also known as text messages) between mobile phones, devices, and landline telephones. Frequently the terms SMS, SMS text messages, text messages, texts, and txts are used to interchangeably.

Q.In what countries is the service available?
A.Right now, it is only available in the US but we are testing in several countries in the Americas and Europe and expect to roll it out to those countries over time.

Q.What do I need to get SMS Link?
A.You will need:
  1. A computer with Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 and Internet Explorer 6.0 or later
  2. An Internet Connection through your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
  3. A mobile phone with a wireless plan from a wireless service provider
If you have the above, you can sign-up for SMS Link Service. See Sign-up and Use section of this FAQ for more information.

Q.Can I use SMS Link with past versions of Microsoft Office?
A.No, SMS Link is for Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 users only.

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Sign-Up and Use

Q.How do I get started?
A.Sign-up is very easy. Click here to begin the sign-up process.

Q.Do I need to know the name of receiver's wireless service provider?
A.No. Unlike other email to SMS text messaging services, you don't need to know your recipient's carrier. SMS Link automatically figures out the receiver's wireless service provider for you.

Q.To what numbers can I send messages?
A.Because it's built right into Office Outlook 2007, SMS Link has full integration with the Office Outlook 2007 address book. The SMS Link service only needs the name or destination phone number to send the text message from Office Outlook 2007 as long as it is a wireless service provider who supports the SMS Link service.

Q.Which wireless service providers support the SMS Link service?
A.You can check the full list of participating wireless service providers. We're adding new service provider partners all the time. If you don't see your service provider on the list, please check the SMS Link website in a few days or call your service provider.

Q.Can I send SMS text messages internationally through SMS Link?
A.At this time you are limited to your country/geography for sending SMS text messages through SMS Link so you cannot send international SMS text messages.

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Pricing

Q.How much does the SMS Link software cost? What does the service cost?
A.You do not need to buy any new software if you have Office Outlook 2007. And you do not pay any subscription or service fee to Microsoft. However, your wireless service provider may charge you for sending and receiving SMS text messages depending on your contract and your ISP may charge for internet connection charges for sending (uploading) and receiving (downloading) information depending on your contract. Please refer to your mobile phone contract or call your wireless service provider for text messaging charge information and refer to your contract or call your ISP for more information.

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Privacy

Q.Who will be able to see my email address and mobile phone number?
A.When you use the SMS Link network, only the people you choose to send messages to via that network will receive your email address or mobile phone number. Of course, Microsoft personnel and any vendors we use to run the network will also see your email address and mobile phone number, solely for the purposes of providing service to you and improving our services and products. Obviously, the carriers that transport your messages will also be able to see your email address and phone number. You can find more information about our privacy policy here.

Q.Will you share my mobile number and email address with anyone else?
A.We do not share your mobile number and email address with anyone else, other than as strictly necessary to provide the service.

You can find more information about our privacy policy here. If we change our policy, we will notify you and provide you with options for controlling the use of your personal information.

Q.Will I be able to share my mobile number with anyone else?
A.You can share your information with anyone that you wish as you can do today. However, it will not be possible through our system.

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Security

Q.Are my messages secure as they travel from my computer to a mobile phone?
A.SMS Link helps to secure your messages by using SSL when you send messages from your computer to the SMS Link network. After we pass your message to your wireless service provider, they secure it using their own mechanisms. Your wireless service provider can give you more information about how they secure messages within their network.

When you receive messages on your computer from the SMS Link network, you will receive them as normal e-mail which, just like the rest of your e-mail, is not encrypted.

Q.Is there a difference between Microsoft Passport ID and Windows Live ID?
A.No. Your Microsoft Passport ID is your Windows Live ID.

Q.Why do I need to have a Windows Live ID?
A.SMS Link uses SSL as the connection between your computer and the SMS Link network. This connection needs identification credentials. Windows Live ID is one such credential. You have other security credentials also with your wireless service provider and your company.

Q.Do you permanently store my messages on your servers within SMS Link network?
A.No. We don't store any messages permanently within the SMS Link network. Messages are temporarily stored in a queue for delivery as they are routed to the wireless service providers. After a message has been delivered we delete it from our queue.

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Unwanted Messages

Q.Can someone else register my mobile phone number?
A.When you sign up for SMS Link, we will send a confirmation code to your mobile phone as a SMS text message. You need to provide that confirmation code to us to start receiving messages.

Q.How can I stop receiving SMS text messages from the SMS Link service to my mobile phone?
A.If you have signed up for SMS Link service, you can stop receiving SMS Link SMS text messages through SMS Link configuration. You can find more information about configuring SMS Link here.

If you have not signed up for the SMS Link service but are receiving SMS text messages, please contact your carrier.

Q.What do I need to do if I am receiving unwanted SMS text messages from a SMS Link user?
A.Please let us know the mobile phone number or the email address from which you have been receiving unwanted SMS text messages through SMS Link Network and we will follow-up to make sure that you don't receive SMS text message in the future from that SMS Link user.

Our policy on unwanted messages is:

  1. Warning email and SMS text message to violator on report of first confirmed violation.
  2. Deactivation of the violator's account on report of second confirmed violation.

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Additional Information

Q.Where can I get additional information on SMS Link?
A.Visit SMS Link website.

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