Ask HN: how can I solve the SMS monthly fee for a few bits if data problem?

Cellco's raping us for fees on a per text or per month rate to send a few bits is simply unfair. I thought technology would fix this but it won't until we have a universal ID of some form.

We do, and in this case it has become our phone number.

Is it possible to have a cell number that works through your cell provider but change your gateway SMS provider?

Maintaining the same cell number seems critical. There is already significant confusion with a handful of iOS users and iMessage because it can use an email address and a phone number.

Where is a definitive resource where I can ask questions about this field?

There's many an SMS app, but you get a new number, or an ID, or use an email address. If Apple opened up iMessage that may solve it. Despite their gesture that they would, I don't see it happening.

And ideas on how I can do this independently?