The new A2P 10DLC requirements for registration to send business-to-consumer text messages are being driven by AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon has already established their A2P10DLC channel, as of January 2019, and has not indicated any additional required registration at this time.
But what about all of the other carriers in the U.S. such as Boost Mobile, Mint, Cricket, Metro PCS and all of the other cell phone providers - will they be subject to the same change in policies?
The short answer is: Yes, these changes apply to those providers as well.
The long answer is: Yes, these changes apply to these providers because they run their businesses on the networks of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile/Sprint.
They are called MVNOs, which stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator. They are able to offer discounted rates compared with the major carriers because they purchase minutes/traffic at bulk rates and then resell them to consumers.
In some cases, the MVNO is actually a subsidiary of or has exclusivity to a major carrier. Some pairings that fall under that include: Cricket + AT&T, Boost + Sprint, and Metro PCS + T-Mobile.
But in all cases, the MVNOs use the major mobile carrier networks and will be using their A2P 10DLC channels - so registration and associated fees will remain the same.
Don't forget: the majority of these registration requirements and fees are being set based on the cell phone provider that the text message recipient has. For most businesses, when you are sending out messages to prospects or clients, you do not know what carrier they use. So, while AT&T and T-Mobile are the two entities driving these changes, they are effectively setting the standards for the entire industry.