This article is intended to answer Frequently Asked Questions about A2P messaging and the associated FCC regulations that impact sending SMS to end users in the United States.
A2P and Registration Explained
What is A2P messaging?
A2P messaging stands for "application-to-person" messaging. It involves sending messages such as notifications, alerts, or promotional messages from an application (i.e., Twilio, RingCentral, etc.) to individuals or end users.
Why is registration required?
A2P messaging has gained popularity in various industries, including marketing and customer service. However, due to misuse and spamming, regulatory authorities in the United States now require businesses to register their A2P messaging services to maintain transparency and protect consumers.
Furthermore, this registration requirement extends to business entities located outside of the United States that intend to send SMS messages to residents within the United States or those that have a U.S.-based phone number.
What if I am a small business or individual with no tax ID or EIN?
If you don't have a Tax ID, and you're located in the U.S. or Canada, you can register under a Sole Proprietor Brand.
What charges will I incur from the registration process?
As a Loxo customer, no additional charges will apply on our end for you to register your VOIP numbers in compliance with the FCC regulations. For questions or concerns regarding the cost of registering for A2P with your provider, please reach out to their teams directly.
Is sending individual texts to candidates included in A2P?
Yes, using any application (Twilio, RingCentral, Ringover, etc.) to contact a person via SMS is considered A2P, regardless of how many people are included on the message or whether the message has been automated or scheduled in advance. Using any platform to send application-based SMS messages to even just an individual candidate or a particular client is considered A2P in the same way that automating or scheduling SMS messages is considered A2P.
What happens if my team uses multiple phone numbers?
A2P Registration occurs on an organization level, so a Tax ID or EIN is submitted for the overall agency. Phone numbers are then registered through their associated organization. In most cases, only one registration is needed per organization or agency. This means that the registration should only need to be completed once. Each individual's phone number can then be linked to the registered agency.
What happens after my registration is submitted?
Once the registration is submitted, regulatory authorities review what you've provided, such as your agency information, your use case, and in some cases, examples of the texts you plan to send. If everything meets their requirements, the A2P messaging service will be approved, and your business can proceed with sending text messages.
If there are questions about your registration, your VOIP provider should be able to give you insight into why your submission did not meet their requirements, so you'll know what needs to be resolved in order for your A2P Registration to be approved.
After you are approved, it can take an additional 5 to 10 business days for your A2P Registration to be updated with the major U.S. carriers.
A2P and Loxo
What can I expect if I don't register?
If you don't register your number(s) for A2P, any SMS you send via A2P channels (such as Twilio or RingCentral) will be blocked by telecommunications carriers. This will lead to messages failing to send, both in Loxo and in your VOIP provider's application (if one is available).
Additional fees may apply based on the volume of unregistered SMS messaging attempts as well, so if you don't intend to register for A2P, it is best not to try using your VOIP number(s) for SMS.
Who can I talk to about my questions?
For questions about the A2P Registration Process, it will be best to reach out to your provider directly to confirm what information is required and what the timeline will look like. Their team will have the best insight into how to complete your submission for their platform.
If you aren't sure where to begin, our Support Team is ready and available to guide you to the right resources. Simply click the ? icon in the bottom left corner of Loxo or the Chat icon in the bottom right corner of the Help Center to connect with a team member.
How does A2P impact communication from non-US countries?
The A2P messaging requirements are intended to reduce inbound spam and scam attempts in the United States. These regulations require that any SMS sent via A2P to a U.S. number must come from an approved and registered phone number.
To register a phone number for approval, the number must be associated with a U.S.-based organization or have a U.S. Tax ID. If you are attempting to register for A2P to send SMS to U.S. contacts or candidates as an international agency, you may not meet the requirements. As a result, any unregistered A2P messaging will be blocked by U.S. telecommunications providers.
Will I receive a refund for SMS capability?
The regulations for A2P communication are government-mandated across the full scope of communication platforms and industries. Any restrictions added to the functionality of SMS messaging are the result of regulation and are not at the discretion of Loxo or its partners. Loxo and all Loxo customers will need to comply with changing regulations. No change of price will be issued as a result of these regulations.
Texting After the A2P Registration Deadline
Will I receive Inbound Messages while my registration is pending?
Based on our internal tests and current understanding of the regulations, inbound SMS messages should still be received, even to unregistered phone numbers and numbers with pending registration.
Example Opt-In Consent Script
Below is an example of an interaction with a candidate, demonstrating how you can obtain opt-in consent prior to sending your first SMS message.
Loxo User: As part of our typical recruiting process, from time to time, we may contact you regarding positions that we feel are a good fit for you or engage with you during the recruiting process via SMS text message. Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile phone service plan. At any time, you can get more help by replying HELP to these texts, or you can opt out completely by replying STOP. Our Terms of Service are available at {your website link}, and our Privacy Policy can be found at {your website link}. Do we, as (Your COMPANY Name), have your consent to communicate with you via SMS text message moving forward?
Recipient: Yes, that would be good.
Loxo User: Great! We will send you a text message to confirm.
The first text message to the recipient will confirm that they have opted in to receiving communication from your company and that they may opt out at any time by responding STOP.
Example Opt-In Consent Web Form
These regulations require clear language around phone number and data collection, including a path through which people can opt in to receiving text messages. The recommended path is to use a web form that includes a checkbox for people to indicate whether they would like to receive text messages. Please note that the checkbox cannot be set as mandatory or required.
It is important to include (or have visible): the name of your organization, a link to any privacy policy or Terms & Conditions, and the intent of contact via SMS. It is also advisable to include that standard text and data rates may apply.
Example 1:
Example 2:
Example 3:
