How to Send Free Text Messages Abroad

1. Check your contact's mobile phone carrier for free text messaging online. Find out what carrier your friends and family abroad use. Search those carriers' websites for free SMS services. Typically, you can use an online form to type a message and send it to any subscriber number for that carrier. Enter the contact's phone number, including area code, and your message. Keep your messages short as there is a character limit.
2. Use Yahoo! Messenger (messenger.yahoo.com) or another instant-messaging program with free SMS service. In Yahoo! Messenger, sign into your account. Right-click one of your contacts and select 'Contact Details.' Enter your recipient's mobile phone number with country and area code plus the number. Save the changes. Right-click again and select 'Send SMS Message.' You can now type in your message and send it off just like an instant message when chatting. The procedure is similar for other software with SMS support.
3. Use an online service, such as Chikka (chikka.com), that lets you send free SMS text messages to your contact's country. Follow the prompts for registration and software download (if you want it). You may be asked to give your eail address instead of your mobile phone number, depending on your location. Once registered, you can sign into the Chikka website and send and receive texts. If you are offline, your messages will be delivered either to your phone or inbox.