A2P 10DLC campaign registration is required for all texting out of the smrtPhone platform. It is an industry requirement, and it includes conversational 1:1 texting as well as mass or templated texting.
To create an A2P 10DLC Campaign, you first need an active A2P Plan registration. The A2P Plan registration requires a Business Profile within the Trust Center, but you can start your plan registration while your profile is in progress (reach out to Support for help.)
A2P 10DLC Campaign Registration
A2P 10DLC Campaign Registration is a short and easy process. Nevertheless, keep in mind that even if the submission process is quick, the verification process is done by a 3rd party and can take an unspecified amount of time. smrtPhone will work on your behalf to advocate for fast approvals.
Accuracy and a detailed, thorough application increase the chances of approval. Don't treat this process superficially. Add clear, relevant information in each field.
Step 1 - Basic Details
Head to the Trust Center from your Admin Dashboard, and select New A2P Campaign. Follow the instructions on the screen, which will guide you step-by-step through your campaign registration application.
The first step is to complete basic details about the A2P Campaign that explain the type of texting you will be engaging in.
Two fields need to be covered:
Select the use case for the A2P Campaign
Provide a brief, relevant description
Step 2 - Opt-In and Consent Management
Based on industry standards and TCPA regulations, you must opt-in as a business to text individuals, no matter the use case - whether it is conversational texting or sending templated messages. This applies across all cloud phone systems.
Opt-in can happen in several ways:
Existing business relationship (EBR) that is documented and active within the past 90 days.
Your contact can text you first
The contact can opt in via an online form
Your contact can opt in with a handwritten form
Contacts can email to provide explicit consent
It is important to note that you cannot obtain opt-in by texting someone and asking them for consent; in that case, the original text would be considered a violation.
A record of opt-in must be kept, so verbal consent does not apply. If you talk to someone, you cannot offer to follow up via text without first establishing consent. They must either reach out to you first, or you can send them an email asking for consent.
The next step in A2P campaign registration is to explain how you obtain consent from your contacts. You may choose more than one option.
In the Message Flow Box, you must explain how you obtain consent in the ways you've selected. As you choose one or more options from the list by selecting the appropriate box, you will see an example of Message Flow to provide guidance. You must edit this message to make it factual and relevant to you. The limit for the Message Flow is 2,000 characters.
In addition to explaining how you contain consent, you need to provide:
Website Signup page
Privacy Policy page
Terms of Use page
Step 3 - Message Samples
After you explain how you obtain consent, you must supply examples of text messages you send. This still applies, even if you use text messages for conversational purposes. Create two message samples that you will be using in this particular A2P 10DLC Campaign.
As part of compliance filtering, carriers will check your actual messages sent against these samples. Be as honest and close to reality as possible to avoid issues.
Step 4 - Preview
Once all the information is entered, you will be able to review it before submitting.
Check if the information is correct, and double-check that you did not miss any relevant details that could jeopardize the campaign's approval. To edit, select Back.
If your profile looks good, Submit for Review!
Step 5 - Complete
Once you submit, you will need to re-confirm and approve the registration fee charges. Once your campaign is approved, the recurring monthly fee will begin (you pay the first month in advance).
The fees range depending on the Plan and Campaign you select.
Please keep in mind that every time you submit a campaign for review, you will be charged $15. To reduce or even eliminate the risk of rejection, we advise reading our documentation for more information.
Best Practices and Non-Compliance Fines
Registering and creating A2P 10DLC campaigns don't give permission to break the rules. If you text illegal content (including SHAFT, drug and adult content, attempt phishing, fraud attempt or similar activity) you are going to be tracked and charged.
Fines for compliance violations range from $500 to $2000 for each individual violation. These fees are passed directly to our clients. Any other fines that smrtPhone incurs because of activity on your account will also be your responsibility.
Here are some helping articles on how to keep your content clean and legal.
All these are not smrtPhone's rules, are TCPA, FCC and Carriers regulations. And all are based on common sense.
