Text Messaging Registration
Summary
Effective May 30, 2023, the mobile carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and others) have mandated the TCR registration process for virtual line users to register their accounts for texting. Since all text traffic in US is routed using these carriers' networks, they want to ensure that no one is sending spam to their subscribers. This mandate is applicable to all companies providing texting services.
iPlum's role is to facilitate the carrier registration process for your account in the iPlum portal. iPlum doesn't approve or deny any registrations. Approval process is handled by independent TCR carrier agency.
Calling (incoming or outgoing) or incoming texting is not affected by this mandate, it will continue to function as-is. It is only applicable for sending "outbound text": personal or business.
Table of contents
I. Understanding outgoing texting registration
II. Requirements for registration
IV. Steps to complete registration
V. Common reasons for step-1 company profile rejection
VI. Common reasons for step-2 use case rejection
VII. Frequently Asked Question & Answers
I. Understanding outgoing texting registration
Major US mobile carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and others) have setup an organization called The Campaign Registry (TCR). It is an organization setup to approve texting on phone numbers. The high level purpose of this organization is to prevent spam in carrier texting networks. According to them, this process will significantly help in improving text deliverability as they increase trust for approved numbers in their networks. More details in subsequent sections.
Are the same regulations affecting all competitor providers?
Yes, all text providers like iPlum, big or small whose solution makes texting available to their end users have same process for registration. They are all mandated with same industry standards. They all have to register their users to enable texting on their numbers.
II. Requirements for registration
Texting registration process can be completed in the iPlum portal.
a) Tax-ID is a mandatory requirement for outgoing texting enablement. Social security number is not accepted. If you currently don’t have business Tax-ID, you can file free at IRS website. Getting Tax-ID doesn't mean you have to file taxes every year using that ID.
Once you have the Tax-ID, please wait at least two weeks before submitting your registration, as it can take time for the IRS database to update with your new Tax-ID, which TCR uses for verification; some sources suggest waiting up to 30 days to be completely safe and then apply for TCR registration at iPlum portal to enable outgoing text. IRS website to apply Tax-ID: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
b) You will need your company website or a verifiable business social media presence to complete registration. Please read below "Steps to complete registration" for details.
III. Costs for registration
TCR Text Registration :
100% of all charges associated with carrier texting registration goes to carrier agency for approval.
Registration is done at business level. You need only one registration for 49 iPlum lines in your account. When you have more than 49 lines in your iPlum account, you can create additional use-case and attached additional lines to that use case.
IV. Steps to complete registration
TCR Registration steps:
- Create a company profile.
- Create a use case.
Once both steps are complete, the system will associate all the iPlum numbers of the account to the approved TCR registration. Any new plans will be automatically associated with approved registration.
Step-1: Create a Company Profile. TCR generally gives you an instant decision based on your submission.
a) Company profile represents legal entity that is responsible for sending text. You will create one company profile per iPlum account for any number of iPlum lines in it. You can add & remove iPlum lines without affecting the company profile registration. You will need your company Tax ID or EIN to create a company profile. Social security number is not accepted. Once you have the Tax-ID, please wait at least two weeks before submitting your registration, as it can take time for the IRS database to update with your new Tax-ID, which TCR uses for verification; some sources suggest waiting up to 30 days to be completely safe and then apply for TCR registration at iPlum portal to enable outgoing text.
b) You will need a company website or a verifiable business social media presence for step-1 company profile submission and same will be used during step-2 use case approval.
- Login to your existing iPlum online account https://my.iplum.com.
- Menu (Left bar) || Carrier Text Registry || TCR Registration || Start registration process || Create Company Profile. Fill the form and submit.
Note: You can use your physical phone number on the company profile registration form.
V. Common reasons for step-1 company profile rejection:
Step-2: Create a texting use case.
Texting use case is the primary purpose of texting. It can be created once the company profile has been approved by TCR. You can create one use case in iPlum account for every 49 lines. If you have more than 49 lines in an iPlum account, you will create an additional use case entry and manually attach the additional lines to the approved use case..
Texting use cases are reviewed by TCR national agency within 5 business days of submission. This time can vary based on TCR workload and can be as long as 20 business days.
This form is reviewed by human reviewers at carriers. Please enter verifiable information when you complete form.
- Login to your existing iPlum online account https://my.iplum.com.
- Menu (Left bar) || Carrier Text Registry || Add Texting Use Case. Fill the form and submit.
VI. Common reasons for texting step-2 use case rejection:
iPlum has no role in deciding whether or not a TCR registration is accepted or rejected. It is entirely decided by TCR organization setup by consortium of the wireless carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile etc.).
1. Opt-in description
TCR requires a clear and concise description of where you provide end users with your mobile policy information and how they enter their mobile number to sign up with you to receive your text messages. You can choose one of three options available to submit your opt-in description. Generally clients choose option (a) or (b).
(a) Manual consent. Use this option on the form when you don't require your clients to enter their mobile number at your website or you do not have a dedicated website.
Note: If you do have a website and still want to use manual form please remove any mobile phone number entry text box in your website contact-us form and make sure to add below information on your website privacy page or contact-us page.
"Mobile SMS Privacy Policy:
As current or prospective customer, you understand that you can text us STOP at any time to opt out of receiving SMS text messages from us. You can text us HELP at any time to receive help.
You understand that the messaging frequency may vary. Messaging & data rates may apply.
Your mobile information will not be shared with any third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All policies are followed as per CTIA guidelines 5.2.1. At any time if you want your information to be removed, you can contact us via our email address or regular mail."
(b) Website consent: Use this option on the form when you have a website where clients enter their mobile phone number and provide you their consent to text them. Please ensure your website matches the information you have submitted for Step 1 - company profile approval. Your website should not be behind any login ID or password.
(i) Consent: Your contact-us form (also called consent form) should have below information:
- Mobile phone number entry box should not be mandatory for your clients to fill in the consent form. It should be optional.
- Include consent terms below the mobile phone number entry text box:
"You agree to receive informational messages (appointment reminders, account notifications, etc.) from [Company Name]. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. For help, reply HELP or email us at [email address]. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP." - Add a link of your Privacy Policy on contact-us form which has below section (ii) verbiage on your contact-us page. If you do not have a separate privacy policy page, you can enter section (ii) verbiage on the contact-us page.
Enter your contact-us form web link in text box provided.
(ii) Privacy policy: A privacy policy should include what information is collected, how it's used, and how it's stored and protected. This section can be on a separate privacy policy page or part of your contact-us page. You can use below verbiage.
"Mobile SMS Privacy Policy:
As current or prospective customer, you understand that you can text us STOP at any time to opt out of receiving SMS text messages from us. You can text us HELP at any time to receive help.
You understand that the messaging frequency may vary. Messaging & data rates may apply.
Your mobile information will not be shared with any third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All policies are followed as per CTIA guidelines 5.2.1. At any time if you want your information to be removed, you can contact us via our email address or regular mail."
Enter your privacy policy web link in the text box provided. If your privacy policy is available on the contact-us form, enter the contact-us page link here again.
(iii) Describe how your clients opt-in to receive your text messages using your website
E.g. Our customers opt-in by visiting our website www.examplewebsite.com. They provide us consent for texting by filling our web form with an optional mobile number. We text them only after receiving their consent. If they do not provide us their consent, we do not text them.
Example contact-us page
(c) Custom consent form: Use this option if you have your own customer consent form and privacy policy documents for customers.
(i) Consent: The consent form is where your clients enter their mobile phone number and agree to receive your text messages. Make sure your form has below information covered.
- Mobile number entry box should not be mandatory for your clients to fill in the consent form. It should be optional.
- Include consent terms below the mobile phone number entry text box:
"You agree to receive informational messages (appointment reminders, account notifications, etc.) from [Company Name]. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. For help, reply HELP or email us at [email address]. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP."
(ii) Privacy policy: A privacy policy should include what information is collected, how it's used, and how it's stored and protected. A phone number is a personally identifiable information (PII). Include below in your privacy policy. You can use below verbiage.
"Mobile SMS Privacy Policy:
As current or prospective customer, you understand that you can text us STOP at any time to opt out of receiving SMS text messages from us. You can text us HELP at any time to receive help.
You understand that the messaging frequency may vary. Messaging & data rates may apply.
Your mobile information will not be shared with any third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All policies are followed as per CTIA guidelines 5.2.1. At any time if you want your information to be removed, you can contact us via our email address or regular mail."
Describe how your clients opt-in to receive your text messages using your website
E.g. Our customers opt-in by visiting our website www.examplewebsite.com. They provide us consent for texting by filling our web form with an optional mobile number. We text them only after receiving their consent. If they do not provide us their consent, we do not text them.
Upload customer consent and privacy policy documents
2. Outgoing texting description does not provide enough information to the reviewer.
3. Sample text is missing an example of text which you intend to send to recipients or it doesn’t match with outgoing texting description above.
Step-3: Verify iPlum plans for your lines.
Old deprecated plans can not be associated to approved text registration. You can check if you have latest plan by login to iPlum portal dashboard. If you have any old deprecated plan, they can be updated in the “Plans” section in the dashboard.
How to update an old deprecated plan?
- Login to your existing iPlum online account https://my.iplum.com.
- Dashboard || Users || Click iPlum Login ID of the Line || Plans || Number Plan || Manage || Select latest plan and complete it.
Once all the steps are complete, iPlum will automatically associate all the iPlum numbers to the approved TCR registration.
VII. Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
I am not doing any marketing — Do I still need texting registration?
or
Personal conversational texting — Do I still need texting registration?
or
I live overseas — Do I still need texting registration?
Yes, carriers require anyone who is “sending text” to any US phone number undergo the registration process.
Important: Calling is not affected by this process and will continue to function as-is as long you have latest iPlum subscription plans for your iPlum numbers.
Do I need to register every time I add a new iPlum number or port number?
There is only one TCR registration required per iPlum account for up to 49 lines. When you add new user/numbers or port numbers in the same iPlum account, they are automatically assigned to existing registration. More information is available for accounts with more than 49 lines in the section "Steps to complete registration".
I am a sole-proprietorship business, I have a business EIN issued by IRS. Can I use it to register?
Yes, you can use your business EIN issued by IRS for registration which is minimum 30 days old so that it shows up in their database. Social security number is not accepted.
I do not have business Tax ID or EIN, can I use my Social-Security number to register?
At this time you can not use your social security number to register. TCR will reject it. It has to be a business EIN or Tax ID.
I do not have a Tax ID but I use iPlum to work with another business which can allow me to use their Tax-ID or EIN?
As long as you have the permission of the organization to use their information you should be able to do that.
I have separate multiple iPlum accounts, Can I use same Tax ID or EIN to create a company profile in them?
Yes, you can use same Tax-ID or EIN in multiple iPlum accounts to create a company profile in each account. We would advise you to consolidate these accounts in your main iPlum team account to avoid paying separate TCR fee for each account.
I am using iPlum for HIPAA or Financial compliance, Do I still need to do this?
Yes, anyone who is “sending text” needs to undergo this process as per the carriers. HIPAA or Financial compliances security is not affected by this process.
How to get a business Tax ID or EIN?
You can get a Tax ID or EIN at IRS website. There are no charges for it & they provide it online.
Note: If you have recently created a business Tax ID or EIN, it can take up to 30 days before it can be verified by TCR.
Apply Tax-ID or EIN at IRS website.
US users can call the IRS to apply or verify their official business name and Tax ID or EIN. Call 800-829-4933. Agents are available Monday to Friday. At the phone tree, select your language (e.g.: 1 for English), 1 for Tax-ID or EIN questions”.
Can I opt out of texting registration?
Yes, if you do not want texting on your lines, you can opt out of TCR registration. If in future you need outgoing texting, remember to complete registration process in iPlum portal.
Can I have a mix & match in my iPlum account, some lines have texting enabled and other disabled ?
Yes, you can do that. However, if even one line in your iPlum account needs texting you will do the registration process. Once your registration is approved, iPlum will automatically associate all numbers with that registration but you can login to your iPlum portal and disable texting on specific lines.
How do I cancel my TCR registration?
Once you have cancelled all the lines in your iPlum account, iPlum will cancel out your TCR registration automatically.
Does my registration gets cancelled when my iPlum number gets cancelled for any reason?
Yes, when the last line on your iPlum account gets cancelled, the texting registration will gets cancelled. If you reactivate a line, you will have to do the registration process again .
Porting number into iPlum: Do I complete registration before or after transferring numbers?
We highly recommend you to start TCR registration process as soon as you place the port order in iPlum portal. You do not have to wait for port to complete. iPlum will automatically associate the number to approved registration the once the port is completed.
Do Canada numbers need to register?
Canada is not participating in TCR so Canada numbers should not be blocked. But if you are sending text to US numbers, you will still need to register your account.
VIII. Need additional help
We encourage you to read this entire FAQ. The acceptance or rejection of the form is done by TCR & carriers personnel. iPlum has no role in it. We can help you based on our experience dealing with forms but we can not guarantee that filling the form one specific way will ensure approval.
If you still have questions, you can open an online ticket with us.
We are regularly updating this page based on frequently asked questions by our users.
