jRelay
SMS Relay application for hosting an SMS group on a dedicated android device.
Disclaimer
jRelay relays group text messages by sending and receiving standard SMS through this device’s mobile plan. Your carrier’s standard messaging and data rates may apply to every message sent or received. You are solely responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and carrier policies regarding automated, bulk, or unsolicited messaging (including but not limited to the TCPA and CTIA guidelines). This application is provided “as is,” without warranty of any kind, and the developer disclaims all liability for any misuse, message charges, legal violations, or damages arising from its use.
Please review your carrier’s terms of service before deploying this app. Additionally, you are advised not to host a group on your primary phone, or with any number that you don’t want to risk losing. The carrier may not agree with your interpretation of their ambiguous terms.
Major Carrier Policies
AT&T
2.5.2 Examples of Prohibited Network Uses of Messaging Service: Our messaging services are provided solely for communication between, and/or initiated by, individuals for personal use. You may not use messaging services for commercial purposes, including, but not limited to: (1) sending unsolicited, unauthorized, spam, or other unwanted messages (whether SMS, MMS, RCS, or other); (2) sending or receiving unusually high numbers of messages or messages not originated on your Device; or (3) reselling or transferring messaging capabilities.
T-Mobile
The TOS explicitly prohibits any application that…
Misuses the Services, including “spamming” or sending abusive, unsolicited, or mass automated communications.
Verizon
In addition to other penalties provided by law, anyone who uses the Verizon Wireless network to send “spam” risks having his or her service terminated and/or his or her messages blocked.
Note: I wish there was a cheap and easy solution to the GroupMe SMS decommissioning. Theoretically, using a dedicated Android device with unlimited messaging and a relay app seems to be the cheapest option. However, this approach is limited by carrier policies and spam/automation filters. I strongly discourage risking your number in violating your carrier’s terms of service. However, if you understand what you are and what you are not allowed to do, and you limit your application in size, scope, and rate - you may well be within your rights to deploy this app. Use at your own discretion, and make sure you understand what you are doing.
“As far as the law allows, jRelay comes as is, without any warranty or condition, and the licensor will not be liable to you for any damages arising from these terms or from the use or nature of jRelay, under any kind of legal claim.”
jRelay is available on Github.
Please see readme and license there.