In the dynamic landscape of mobile communications, the process of enabling Short Message Service (SMS) has become more intricate, with mobile carriers and SMS Aggregates implementing stringent requirements. This article aims to dissect the mandatory information that businesses must furnish to mobile carriers for SMS provisioning, emphasizing the importance of accurate and detailed responses. The Campaign Registry (TCR), chosen by carriers, serves as the registrar for this crucial step, ensuring compliance with industry guidelines and regulations.
Business Information
- The first set of mandatory fields pertains to essential business information. Businesses are required to provide accurate details, leaving no room for handwritten responses. The information includes:
- Legal Business Name: The official registered name of the business.
- Business Type: Choose from options such as publicly traded, non-profit, private company, or government.
- Country of Registration: The country where the business is registered.
- Federal Business ID: For U.S. businesses, the Employer Identification Number (EIN) is required; for Canadian businesses, the Corporation Number is necessary.
- Business Address: Including city, state/province, and postal code.
- Stock Symbol: Applicable only for publicly traded companies.
- Primary Business Phones.
- Vertical: Choose from predefined categories that best describe the business.
- Support Email and Support Phone Number: Contact details for customer support.
It is crucial to ensure that the business name and federal business ID match exactly, as any discrepancies may lead to rejection by TCR.
How Are You Using SMS?
Businesses must declare their current and future use of SMS, including awareness of opt-in and opt-out requirements. The following details are required:
- Usage Categories: Select one or more categories that describe how SMS is being used, such as Customer Care, Account Notification, Marketing, 2FA, Delivery Notification, or Higher Education.
- Consent Methods: Specify how consent is obtained, including common methods like text message exchange, website entry, mobile webpage button click, messaging advertising keyword, point-of-sale sign-up, or phone-based opt-in using IVR technology.
- Opt-in Keywords and Message: Include industry-recognized opt-in keywords (e.g., START or SUBSCRIBE) and a message that recipients receive after opting in.
- Opt-out Keywords and Message: Ensure support for STOP and UNSUBSCRIBE keywords, along with an appropriate opt-out message.
- Help Keywords and Message: Provide help keywords (e.g., HELP or INFO) and the corresponding message.
- Sample Messages: Carriers use sample messages to understand the nature of messages sent by businesses. Three unique examples of text messages are required, and it’s essential to mirror the actual content that recipients will receive. Additionally, use of link shorteners like bit.ly is prohibited.
SMS Content and Messaging Policies
Businesses must confirm their understanding and agreement with the policies governing SMS usage. Key points include compliance with CTIA A2P guidelines, documenting consent, using active keywords, managing message volume and frequency, and respecting opt-out commands. The Campaign Registry acts as a third-party intermediary, charging registration and maintenance fees based on SMS use cases.
- Contact Information: The final section necessitates providing contact details of the individual submitting the form, certifying the accuracy of the information provided. This includes the individual’s name, title, and email address.
Navigating the complexities of SMS provisioning requires meticulous attention to detail and compliance with industry standards. Businesses must recognize the significance of accurate and comprehensive responses to ensure a smooth registration process with The Campaign Registry and mobile carriers. Adhering to these requirements not only facilitates SMS provisioning but also establishes a foundation for responsible and effective SMS communication in the ever-evolving mobile ecosystem.
