Prerequisites

When sending SMS communications for business purposes, you need to meet several technical, regulatory, and operational prerequisites. This section outlines the key prerequisites that you must consider.

To start using SMS for business purposes, an organization must consider the following:

• Local regulations: understand local laws and regulations where you plan to send SMS messages to ensure compliance
• Traffic direction: define whether your SMS traffic will be one-way (from business to customer) or two-way (allowing customer responses)
• Intended content: define the type of messages you wish to send, for example, promotional offers, transactional alerts, or customer service notifications
• Opt-in and consent: define a process for obtaining explicit consent from recipients to receive SMS messages
• Testing and monitoring: implement a process for testing SMS delivery and monitoring performance to ensure messages are sent and received as intended

For full list of compliance and deliverability recommendations, see SMS compliance and guidelines.

Sender identification

You must acquire an appropriate sender number or ID:

• Long Code (10DLC): Standard 10-digit number for low to moderate volume; often requires registration in the U.S.
• Short Code: 5–6 digit numbers; higher throughput; requires application and approval
• Toll-Free Numbers: Can be used for SMS with prior verification
• Alphanumeric Sender ID: Available in some countries; can't receive replies

For more information, see Senders and numbers.

Regulations and compliance

When using SMS for communication, it is crucial to understand that every country has different rules and terms of usage according to their national law.

Depending on your region or target country, you must comply with SMS regulations:

• Consent: obtain explicit user opt-in before sending SMS
• Opt-out: support STOP or similar keywords
• Carrier regulations: U.S. carriers require registration of campaigns for A2P (Application-to-Person) traffic
• Data privacy: follow local regulations, such as, GDPR, TCPA, CAN-SPAM, depending on region

Before starting any SMS communications, ensure that you are fully familiar with the SMS coverage and connectivity regulations for each country.

For additional information about regulations and policies specific to mobile operators in the US and Canada, see the USA and Canada Compliance Guidelines.

One-way and two-way traffic

SMS can be used for one or two-way communication with your customers. For example, if you are sending out notifications, or requests for a response where a customer can text back.

There are a number of conditions that apply depending on what type of traffic you allow. If you allow customers to respond using SMS, then you must purchase a number. Some countries also require you to register a number regardless of whether you are using one or two-way communications.

For more information about the detailed requirements for one or two-way communication, see the SMS coverage and connectivity rules.

Campaign registration (U.S.A.)

If you are sending A2P traffic over 10DLC:

• Register your brand and campaign with The Campaign Registry (TCR) using the US Sender Registration app
• Provide message samples, use cases, and opt-in workflows

For more information, see Compliance Guidelines.