SMS over VoIP: send and receive messages in your PBX
Most companies keep telephony and SMS in two separate worlds: they call from a PBX and send SMS from a separate gateway or a mobile phone circulating the office. You can join them. SMS over VoIP lets you send and receive messages from the same PBX and the same number you call from — in one interface, with full conversation history.
How it works: the SIP MESSAGE protocol
SMS over VoIP uses the standard SIP MESSAGE protocol — an extension of the SIP you already use for voice calls. If your PBX supports it (and most modern PBXs do), SMS arrives in the same interface as calls. No separate gateway, no swapping SIM cards. Product details are on the SMS over VoIP page.
What it works with
Tested integrations cover the most popular VoIP solutions:
- Zoiper — desktop and mobile softphone; SMS looks like a normal chat.
- 3CX — business PBX; SMS in one panel with calls.
- FreePBX / Asterisk — open-source; full control via dialplan.
Setup usually takes a few minutes. For teams that prefer not to configure a PBX, there is also the dedicated ACTIO_SMS app and handling straight from the panel.
Two-way numbers and conversation history
The biggest advantage over a plain gateway is two-way communication. The customer writes to the same number your company calls from, and replies land in the same inbox — the agent sees the full thread. All conversations are archived in the web panel with CSV/Excel export, which matters for complaint handling and compliance.
Who benefits most
The biggest gains go to teams where voice and SMS interleave:
- Customer service — the agent sees calls and SMS in one place.
- Service and repairs — "your device is ready for pickup", with the option to reply.
- Receptions (medical, hotels, workshops) — appointment confirmations and replies instead of missed calls.
SMS over VoIP and the 3G migration
It is also a natural step when modernizing infrastructure — especially around the 3G shutdown. Moving telephony to modern VoIP from ACTIO consolidates voice and SMS on one number and one platform, independent of the bands being sunset. You keep your number via portability (MNP). Test the SMS account first by creating it on the sign-up page.
FAQ
Will my PBX handle SMS over VoIP?+
If it supports the SIP MESSAGE protocol (Zoiper, 3CX, FreePBX and most modern PBXs) — yes, setup takes a few minutes.
Can I use one number for calls and SMS?+
Yes. That is the main advantage of SMS over VoIP — two-way voice and text on one number, with full thread history.
Is there an app if I do not want to configure a PBX?+
Yes, there is the dedicated ACTIO_SMS app and handling from the web panel — no PBX configuration.
Will I keep my number when moving to VoIP?+
Yes, thanks to number portability (MNP). ACTIO handles the porting along with the telephony migration.