An SMS gateway is a bridge that connects computer systems and applications to mobile networks, allowing for sending and receiving bulk text messages without using a physical phone, essential for automated alerts, marketing, and OTPs. It translates digital messages (like emails or HTTP requests) into a format mobile carriers understand (using protocols like SMPP) and routes them to users, handling delivery across different networks and often providing reports. How it works Application to Gateway: Your software or app sends a message to the SMS gateway via an API. Processing: The gateway processes, formats, and validates the message. Network Delivery: It then uses connections (like IP SMS) to deliver the message to the correct mobile network (e.g., Airtel, Jio). Recipient: The message is delivered to the user's phone, even if they are on a different carrier.