A2P Registration Summary

  • One-time fee: $15

  • Purpose: Required for sending SMS from U.S. and Canadian numbers via CallHippo

  • Approval Steps:

    • Step 1: Brand Verification (4–6 business days)

    • Step 2: Campaign/Use Case Verification (2–3 weeks)

Note: SMS services will not be activated unless both steps are successfully approved.


What is A2P (Application to Person):

A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging refers to text messages sent from an application to a person's mobile phone. It typically involves businesses or services sending notifications, alerts, verification codes, or promotional messages to customers. A2P messaging is commonly used for one-way communication, where the business interacts with users via SMS.

A2P messaging services ensure compliance with regulations, optimize delivery speed, and enable reliable communication between businesses and their customers.

A2P Registration Fees


 

Fee Type

Amount

One-time

$15

Monthly recurring

$3

These charges cover registration and ongoing compliance with carrier requirements.

A2P Registration Process

Step 1: Brand Verification (2–3 business days)

This step validates your business identity.

How to complete this step:

  1. Log in to your CallHippo dashboard.

  2. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select SMS Profile.



  3. You’ll be redirected to the SMS Verification Form, containing five steps.

  4. Complete the first four steps:

  • Business Profile: Enter your legal business name and other details exactly as they appear on your business registration documents.

     

  • Contact Information: Provide details of the business owner or authorized representative. Ensure the job title and email match the submitted documents.



  • Business Address: This must match the address shown on your business documents.

     

  • Review & Submit: Double-check all fields before submitting.

     

Once submitted, your brand information will be reviewed by our carrier partner. This process typically takes 2–3 business days. You will receive an email notification when your brand is verified.

You will not be able to move to the next step by clicking on the ‘Next’ button unless the brand is verified.

Step 2: Campaign/Use Case Verification (2–3 weeks)

After brand approval, proceed to the fifth step of the SMS Verification form to register your SMS campaign or use case.



Please note: The verification timelines cannot be expedited as they are determined by our carrier partners. We appreciate your patience while they complete their review.



Required Information:

  • Campaign Description

    • Describe the purpose of the campaign clearly (e.g., OTPs, appointment reminders).

    • Descriptions must align with your sample messages.

    • If you are in the financial domain, include the term “Direct Lending” where applicable.
      Examples:
      Accepted: “This campaign sends OTPs for multi-factor login authentication. Customers confirm identity changes via SMS.”
      Rejected: “This campaign sends appointment reminders.” (lacks opt-out clarity and purpose detail)

  • Sample Messages

    • Include two real message examples (do not use placeholders like <name>).

    • Use square brackets for dynamic fields (e.g., [phone-number]).

    • Include opt-out instructions if required.
      Examples:
      Accepted: “ACME 2FA Notice: Your one-time password is 1234. Call [phone-number] if you didn’t request this.”
      Rejected: “You have an upcoming appointment.” (missing opt-out)

  • User Consent (Opt-in Method) - very important

    • List all opt-in methods (e.g., website form, in-store signup).

    • Include the URL and a link to terms and conditions.
      Examples:
      Accepted: “Users opt in at acme.com/signup or in-store. By signing up, they agree to receive SMS updates. [Link to terms]”
      Rejected: “Customers sign up.” (too vague)


Very Important:
If you collect customer information through a form or similar method on your website and intend to contact them via SMS, it is essential to clearly state this at the point of data collection. The form must include a clear consent statement such as:

"By clicking Accept or submitting this form, you provide us consent to contact you via SMS on the number provided."

Including this language helps ensure compliance and significantly increases the chances of your A2P use case being approved.


  • Yes/No Confirmations
    Will your messages contain links?

    • Will your messages include phone numbers?

    • Will your messages involve direct lending or loan offers?

    • Will messages include age-restricted content?

Once submitted, carrier review can take up to 2–3 weeks. If approved, SMS services for US and Canadian numbers will be activated.

What to Expect After Submission:

If Brand or Campaign Is Rejected

  • You will receive a notification regarding the same.

  • You must resubmit the corrected information.

  • The timeline will reset:

    • Brand verification: 2–3 business days

    • Campaign verification: 2–3 weeks

Note: You can only submit the ‘Brand verification’ twice through the dashboard. If both attempts are unsuccessful, please contact our support team for assistance.

Tips to Prevent Rejection”

Ensure the following:

  • All submitted information exactly matches your official business documents.

  • Your campaign use case clearly states the purpose of the messages and how consent is obtained.

  • Sample messages must include:

    • Clear intent

    • Opt-out instructions

    • Proper formatting

  • Opt-in process is well-documented and linked.

  • Use a business email address tied to your domain.

  • Your privacy policy and terms should mention consent and opt-out procedures.

Common Reasons for Rejection:

  • Mismatched business information or incomplete documents

  • No clear opt-in method or missing consent documentation

  • Unclear or non-compliant use case descriptions

  • Sample messages that are vague, promotional-only, or missing required disclosures

  • Content involving affiliate marketing or age-restricted materials

  • High risk of spam complaints

  • Privacy policy or opt-in terms missing or non-compliant

What You Can Do to Improve Approval Chances

  • Provide a simple, documented opt-in workflow with links to terms

  • Use compliant message types (alerts, OTPs, reminders)

  • Submit all required documents, including business registration proof and a valid website URL

  • Clearly describe your messaging use case

  • Include message samples that are realistic and compliant

  • Provide a clear opt-out option in all SMS content

Frequently asked questions:

Q: Why do I need A2P registration to send SMS from US or Canadian numbers?
A: A2P registration is required to comply with carrier regulations when sending SMS from U.S. and Canadian numbers. Without approval, SMS services from these numbers will not be activated.

Q: How much does A2P registration cost?
A: There is a one-time fee of $15 and a monthly recurring fee of $3 for A2P registration. These charges cover verification and ongoing compliance with carrier requirements.

Q: How long does the A2P verification process take?
A: The full process can take between 1–3 weeks. Brand verification takes about 2–3 business days, and campaign/use case verification takes 1–3 weeks.

Q: What is required for Campaign or Use Case verification?
A: You must provide a clear campaign description, two sample messages, and opt-in methods, and confirm whether your messages include links, phone numbers, or sensitive content like direct lending or age-restricted material.

Q: What is considered a valid opt-in method?
A: You need to list where and how users give consent, such as signing up via a website form or in-store. Include the URL and a link to your terms and conditions that explain the opt-in.

Q: What happens if my brand is rejected?
A: You’ll receive a notification and need to resubmit with corrected information. The timeline will restart for each respective step, and brand verification can only be attempted twice through the dashboard.

Q: What are some common reasons for campaign rejection?
A: Rejections often happen due to mismatched business details, unclear opt-in methods, vague sample messages, or use cases involving promotional-only content or affiliate marketing.

Q: What tips can help me get approved?
A: Use a business email tied to your domain, make sure your privacy policy and terms cover consent and opt-out, and submit clearly written use cases with realistic sample messages and documented opt-in steps.

Q: Can I skip A2P registration and still send SMS from US/CA numbers?
A: No, SMS services for U.S. and Canadian numbers will remain inactive unless both brand and campaign verification steps are completed and approved.

Q: What should I do if I need help with A2P registration or face a rejection?
A: You can contact CallHippo’s support team for assistance at any point during the process, especially if your application is rejected and you need help making corrections.

Q: I’ve purchased the SMS subscription, but I still can’t send messages—why?
A: SMS services for US and Canadian numbers are only activated after completing the A2P verification process. Please make sure both your brand and campaign have been approved.

Q: I don’t own a registered business. Can I still complete the A2P verification for SMS?
A: No, A2P registration requires a valid business entity. The process cannot be completed using individual or personal details.

Q: I have Indian business documents, but the form is asking for an EIN. What should I do?
A: You can complete A2P registration using Indian business documents. In place of the EIN, you can enter your GSTIN.

Q: I need to activate SMS on my US number urgently. Can you expedite the process?
A: The verification process is handled by our carrier partners and cannot be expedited. Brand verification takes 2–3 business days, and campaign verification takes 2–3 weeks.

Q: I tried updating my brand information, but it says both attempts are used. What can I do?
A: If you've used both brand submission attempts, please contact our support team. We’ll coordinate with our technical team to help you resubmit the details from the backend.

Q: Can I test outgoing SMS from US or Canadian numbers during my free trial?
A: No, A2P is a paid add-on and cannot be activated during the free trial period. SMS capabilities for US and Canadian numbers are only available on paid accounts with A2P registration completed.


I hope this helps. If you still face any queries, please feel free to reach out at [email protected]