New registration requirements for businesses who use texting

Mobile carriers have implemented a new registration requirement to help verify SMS text messaging traffic from business phone numbers. This requirement is designed to prevent fraud and spam traffic.

Businesses who register and have their toll-free texting numbers verified will be allowed to send text messages without restrictions. Carriers will block some or all texts sent from unregistered businesses with unverified numbers.

This registration requirement applies to all BellesLink customers sending text messages from their accounts, regardless of their use case.

Customers will submit their business texting registration through BellesLink. Once submitted, BellesLink will review the information for completeness before submitting it to The Campaign Registry (TCR), a third-party industry group, for verification and approval.

Once a customer’s registration is submitted to the TCR, their toll-free number verification is pending. While in a pending state customers can text from their BellesLink account. Some volume restrictions apply until the number is verified.

Required information for registration

Before you begin your registration, gather up the information you will need. This will include samples of the text messages you plan to send and screenshots of how your customers will opt-in to your text messages. Your opt-in method might include a checkbox at the end of a paper or web sign up form or a keyword that your audience texts to subscribe. Also have the company details that are associated with the BellesLink user accounts you are registering.

We’ve create a step-by-step guide for business texting registration and a guide to text opt-in methods. Refer these guides as you prepare to complete the registration form.

Registration process

The process begins by adding a text-enabled toll-free number to your BellesLink account, then completing the registration form. If you’ve gathered your information the form should only take 10-15 minutes to complete.

  1. Add a text-enabled toll-free number to your BellesLink account.
  2. Complete and submit the business texting registration form.
  3. BellesLink will review your submission and contact you if additional information is needed.
  4. Your registration will be submitted to The Campaign Registry for verification.
  5. You will be notified by email when you registration is pending and you can begin texting from your BellesLink account.
  6. You will be notified by email when you number is verified.

Benefits of a verified toll-free number

  1. Decreased chance of your messages being flagged or filtered for suspected spam, fraud, or high-risk keywords.
  2. Increase message delivery speeds with fewer interruptions and blocked messages.

Getting Started

Start the process by adding a text-enabled toll-free number to your BellesLink account.

  1. In your account, go to Setup
  2. Choose Numbers
  3. Use Add a Number button
  4. Choose Add a Text-Enabled Toll-Free Number

Next, you’ll be guided through the registration form. The form will take 10-15 minutes to complete.

To make the process smoother, have the following information on hand:

  • Standard information on your business (address, website, registered name, etc.)
  • The primary business contact’s information, like name and email address
  • How many messages your business sends every month
  • Your primary use for toll-free messages (marketing, customer support, emergency alerts, etc.)
  • Some sample text messages you plan to send
  • Some screenshots and or photos of the method contacts use to opt in to your messages

Check out business texting registration form guide to learn more about the information that required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s go over a few of the most common questions surrounding business texting registration and toll-free number verification so you know what to expect.

Can I register all my BellesLink user accounts at one time?

No. You must register each text-enabled toll-free for each user account separately. Log into the user account to complete and submit the business texting registration form.

What if my business has multiple BellesLink user accounts?

If you have multiple users in your BellesLink account you must add and register a text-enabled toll-free number for each user account. Each user account can have one text-enabled toll-free number.

What if my business uses multiple toll-free numbers for texting?

Only one text-enabled toll-free number is allowed for each BellesLink user account. If your user account(s) have more than one toll-free texting number, choose the one you want to register. Any other toll-free numbers in your account can still be used for making and receiving phone calls but will not be text-enabled.

What If I Don’t Want My Business to be Registered?

No problem. Business texting registration is only required for customers who want to add a text-enabled toll-free number to their BellesLink account and text from that number.

Can I Still Make Calls With My Toll-Free Numbers If I Don’t Register for Texting?

Yes. Toll-free numbers which are NOT text-enabled though business registration can still be used for phone calls.

How much does verification cost?

Currently, there’s no cost to register your business and verify your toll-free number.

How long does it take to get my toll-free number verified?

Toll-free number verification can take in 3–5 weeks. Once you’ve submitted your form, BellesLink will review it for completeness before submitting to TCR for verification and approval. Once your registration is submitted to the TCR you can begin texting.

How can I check my approval status?

Your verification status for a registered text-enabled toll-free number will be shown in the text messaging settings of your BellesLink account. On the main menu go to Setup then Text Messaging.

Can I send, receive, or reply to text messages from my BellesLink account without registering my business?

No. BellesLink customers are required to be registered with the TCR to have text messaging enabled in their BellesLink account.

Once I’ve registered, when can I begin texting?

Once a your registration is submitted to the TCR, your toll-free number verification will be pending. While in a pending state you can text from your BellesLink account Some volume restrictions apply until your number is verified.

Who regulates business text messaging?

Business text messaging is regulated by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the CTIA. The FCC adopts what CTIA sets as regulations as valid policies. CTIA publishes Best Practices and Principles for Messaging every quarter.

Refer to the CTIA’s Best Practices Guide for SMS Marketing and Communications and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act to understand your legal obligations when using SMS text messaging in your business.

 

Texting Guides

Checkout our tutorials and guides on business text messaging, registration requirements, and toll-free number verification.

 

Additional policies, regulations, and laws may exist beyond those listed here. This is not legal advice. It is strongly recommended you consult your own legal advisor for help understanding legal obligations you may have, given the kind of messaging you wish to send.