As of July 5, 2023, wireless carriers require companies to register their texting numbers to ensure that text messaging services are used responsibly and in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
The main reason for this requirement is to combat spam and fraud, which are common issues with text messaging services. By requiring businesses to register their texting numbers and go through an approval process, the carriers can screen out businesses that may be engaged in spam or fraud and ensure that only legitimate businesses can use the service.
Note: Once your number is registered, you must obtain consent from any potential recipient before you can text them.
Below we have provided a list of FAQs on the process and how it relates to your Two Way Texting subscription with Service Autopilot.
Why is registration necessary?
Effective July 5th, all 10 digit phone numbers used to send SMS and MMS messages to U.S. phone numbers must be fully registered to an approved campaign under your brand. Messages sent using unregistered phone numbers will be subject to a gradual increase of blocked messages by Twilio. This starts on July 5, 2023, and will ultimately lead to a full block of all unregistered U.S.-bound messages sent after August 31, 2023.
What happens if the registration is only partially completed?
You can continue the registration where you left off.
Who needs to complete this registration?
All members subscribed to Two Way texting will need to complete this process. It must be completed by the owner of your company or the employee who has access to the EIN and other business details.
When is the registration requirement deadline?
The deadline to complete this registration is August 31, 2023.
What happens if you don’t complete this registration?
You will see increasing numbers of blocked text messages and ultimately a full block of all unregistered U.S.-bound messages.
Where do I find my EIN?
Your EIN (Employer Registration Number) is registered with the IRS (in the US) or correlating agency outside of the US. You can find this on your tax documents. You can also find it in your QuickBooks Account settings if you have the QuickBooks software.
To find your EIN in QuickBooks:
- Open the QuickBooks application and click on the Gear icon.
- Navigate to Account and Settings > Company tab.
- Under the Company Name, you can see your EIN.
What happens if my application is rejected?
You will be notified via email and prompted to re-submit with the errors rectified.
How long does the registration take to be approved?
Twilio has provided a turnaround time of 1-4 weeks however we are seeing most members approved within several days.
What happens to my text messages while we are waiting for registration approval?
They will continue to send, with filtering of messages for unregistered accounts picking up through July and August
Are any of my messages being filtered now?
We are seeing some examples of phone carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and so on.) already filtering messages. We have no direct control over this but the best approach is to submit your application as soon as the portal is live.
Is the carrier EIN registration only affecting the US, and North American territory or is it global?
The registration requirement only applies to North America. Specifically, the registration requirement applies to the US, so we are suggesting all Canadian customers register as well due to the prevalence of customers with US phone numbers in their accounts.
What is error 30034?
You may receive this error if you have not completed your registration. Error 30034 means Message Sent from an Unregistered Number. Messages receiving this error are not delivered to the recipient.
What is a segment?
1 segment = 160 characters