A2P messaging helps businesses send automated messages to consumers. Learn more about A2P messaging and its use cases.
A2P (application-to-person) messaging is a type of SMS text messaging used to send messages from an application or software program to a mobile device or phone. As this method of communication is largely used by companies and organizations to communicate with customers and subscribers, A2P messaging is also often referred to as business SMS. Consumers will typically encounter A2P messages in the form of appointment reminders, order status updates or promotional messages.
The main difference between P2P (person-to-person) and A2P messaging is the origin of the messages in question. While a P2P message is sent from one person to another, an A2P SMS is an automated text sent via a messaging platform (application) to the recipient. But here’s the twist:
All messages sent from a business—even if they’re sent by an individual and not an automated system—are considered A2P messages.
As such, organizations must ensure that their messages comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The TCPA protects consumers from unwanted or unsolicited communication from businesses. There are multiple guidelines laid out by TCPA, but to summarize, organizations should:
Check out our SMS compliance guide and checklist for more information on text messaging regulations.
A2P messaging supports a range of number types depending on the messaging platform and the country where the numbers are used. In general, the most common number types used for A2P messaging include:
As a note, 10DLC is the new standard for A2P messaging in the U.S. Check out our 10-minute explainer video on 10DLC to get a better understanding of A2P 10DLC standards.
Learn more about leveraging different number types for your A2P campaigns by watching our informative webinar: Understanding SMS number types.
According to a recent report from Beyond Market Insights, the A2P SMS market is expected to grow from 62.2 billion in 2021 to 89.2 billion in 2030. That growth is largely due to the saturation of other channels such as email or social media and the relative cost-effectiveness of SMS communication.
Below are a few of the main ways your organization could leverage A2P messaging to communicate with customers, subscribers or prospects.
MFA or two-factor authentication (2FA) are security methods used by many organizations to verify identities and prevent fraud. A 2FA message typically includes a one-time pin, code or link sent to a recipient’s phone to verify their account or a login attempt.
In industries with strict security regulations, such as finance or healthcare, MFA or 2FA technology is often required to access certain accounts or information.
Organizations can also send an automated SMS to update customers about the status of their order or remind them of an upcoming appointment or reservation. These types of messages typically include a information about package tracking, a link to an original order or a request to confirm an appointment time.
Even government entities use SMS to communicate with people. In the U.S., the Emergency Alert System (EAS) allows the President to alert Americans to national emergencies.
On average, people receive around 100 emails per day—and nearly half of them are spam. To reach customers through a more personal, less saturated channel, more organizations are turning to SMS to conduct marketing campaigns and provide better customer service.
Compared to email, SMS also has a higher click-through rate (CTR). While nearly 20% of people will click a link sent in a text message, not even 4% of people will click a link received in an email.
A2P messaging seems simple—find a messaging platform or set up a business phone and start texting your customers. However, the reality is more complex.
Compliance is the biggest reason that businesses need to choose a trusted provider for their A2P messaging. TCPA violators can be fined $500–$1,500 per non-compliant text. That’s a hefty fee for even one rogue SMS. But if you’re a business sending thousands of messages per day, you could be looking at a million-dollar fine.
And if you’re investing in SMS communications to send important messages like appointment reminders or 2FA codes, you’ll want to make sure that you’re sending them over a reliable network. Sending undelivered texts into the theoretical void doesn’t do your business—or your customers—any good.
Telnyx’s SMS API helps organizations send SMS messages to customers across the globe. Our reliable network ensures on-time delivery of critical messages. And, as a licensed carrier in over 30 countries, we take regulations—and their enforcement—seriously.
Learn how Telnyx can help your organization get started with A2P messaging. Contact our team of experts for a consultation.
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