Reference

A2P Glossary

Every acronym and term in US texting & calling compliance — from 10DLC and Trust Score to STIR/SHAKEN, RCD, and the RMD — defined in plain language.

Filter the list or jump straight to a term. Terms are linked throughout the guide.

57 terms

10DLC10-Digit Long Code#: A standard local phone number registered for A2P texting via TCR.
A2PApplication-to-Person#: Messaging or calling from business software to a consumer (vs. P2P). Subject to carrier registration, vetting, and throughput rules.
A2P 10DLC#: Application-to-Person messaging over a 10-Digit Long Code (a standard local number). The US framework requiring brand + campaign registration before sending automated SMS/MMS.
Analytics engine#: A private vendor scoring call reputation and deciding “Spam Likely”: Hiya (AT&T/Samsung), TNS Call Guardian (Verizon/US Cellular), First Orion (T-Mobile/Metro/Boost).
Attestation#: The trust grade the originating provider stamps on a signed call. A = full; B = partial; C = gateway.
Authentication+#: Extra TCR identity-verification step (~$12.50); lets certain (e.g. Public Profit) brands create campaigns.
BCIDBranded Calling ID#: CTIA’s branded-calling ecosystem (run by BCID, LLC) delivering RCD nationwide; pay-per-display.
Brand#: The verified business-identity record in TCR (legal name, EIN, address, contacts). Holds the Trust Score and T-Mobile daily cap.
BRNBusiness Registration Number#: Government business identifier required on toll-free verifications from early 2026; in the US, the EIN.
Campaign#: A registered messaging use case under a Brand (description, samples, opt-in flow). Phone numbers attach here; AT&T throughput is allocated here.
Campaign Verify#: Nonpartisan nonprofit issuing identity tokens to US political campaigns/parties/PACs; a token lets 527s use the Political use case without paid secondary vetting.
Carrier pass-through fee#: Per-message surcharge each carrier levies on A2P SMS/MMS, passed to the brand.
CNAMCaller Name#: Legacy text-only caller name (~15 chars, no logo), pulled from decentralized databases; inconsistent on mobile and spoofable.
CSPCampaign Service Provider#: A provider/aggregator with TCR access that registers brands/campaigns on a business’s behalf (Twilio, Telnyx, Bandwidth…).
CTACall-to-Action#: The opt-in prompt where consent is captured; must disclose brand, message type, frequency, “msg & data rates may apply”, STOP/HELP, and link Terms + Privacy.
CTIA#: Wireless trade association; publishes the carrier-enforced Messaging Principles & Best Practices and governs Branded Calling ID.
DCADirect Connect Aggregator#: Carrier-connected aggregator that performs campaign vetting/approval and charges the $15 vetting fee (e.g. Bandwidth).
DCA fee#: The $15 carrier-side campaign-vetting fee, per submission. Each resubmission costs another $15.
Double Opt-InSingle Opt-In#: Single = one affirmative action; Double = the user must additionally reply to confirm (recommended).
EINEmployer Identification Number#: US federal Tax ID; required for Standard/Low-Volume Standard brands. Its presence disqualifies the Sole Proprietor path.
Enhanced Vetting#: Deeper manual review (Aegis only, ~$101.50); used to raise an unsatisfactory standard score.
Free Caller Registry#: FreeCallerRegistry.com — a free unified portal to register/correct caller reputation across all three analytics engines at once.
Handset-level delivery receipt#: Toll-free confirms delivery to the handset; 10DLC only confirms to the carrier.
High-Throughput Toll-Free#: Opt-in upgrade above the default 3 MPS (25 → ~150 MPS SMS; MMS capped at 25).
ITGIndustry Traceback Group#: USTelecom-led, FCC-designated Traceback Consortium that traces illegal calls to origin.
Line Type Intelligence#: A lookup returning mobile/landline/VoIP/toll-free + carrier — used to scrub un-textable numbers before sending.
Message Class#: AT&T’s throughput tier (A/B, C/D, E/F, plus special K/P/S/X/T/W/G/N) derived from Trust Score + use case.
Message Flow#: Campaign field describing the end-to-end opt-in and what recipients receive; must match the use case, CTA, and samples.
Messaging Service#: Twilio container holding the 10DLC numbers, linked to a registered Campaign.
MNOMobile Network Operator#: A carrier: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, US Cellular.
MPS / TPMMessages Per Second / Transactions Per Minute#: Sending-rate throughput. ~4,500 TPM ≈ 75 MPS.
Number PoolSub ID#: T-Mobile-approved mechanism to attach more than 49 numbers to one campaign.
One-to-One Consent Rule#: Vacated 2024 FCC lead-gen rule requiring per-seller, topically-related consent. Not in force.
Opt-in Confirmation MessageWelcome message#: Required first message on a recurring campaign restating brand, frequency, rates, and STOP/HELP.
OSP / TSPOriginating / Terminating Service Provider#: The endpoints that sign and display/verify branded calls.
PASSporTPersonal Assertion Token#: A signed JWT in the SIP Identity header carrying attestation, numbers, timestamp, and (for branded calls) Rich Call Data.
PEWCPrior Express Written Consent#: TCPA’s highest consent standard for marketing texts/calls: a signed (incl. electronic) agreement; consent not a condition of purchase.
Quiet Hours#: TCPA window limiting solicitation calls/texts to 8:00am–9:00pm in the recipient’s local time.
RCDRich Call Data#: Verified branding (name, call reason, logo + SHA-256 hash) embedded in the PASSporT; the modern CNAM replacement.
RMDRobocall Mitigation Database#: FCC database where voice/intermediate/gateway providers certify STIR/SHAKEN status; removal forces traffic blocking. Annual recertification (next Mar 1, 2026).
Russell 3000#: Index of the 3,000 largest US public companies; members get T-Mobile’s 200,000/day cap by default.
SBRSpecial Business Review#: See Special Business Review — T-Mobile’s $500/brand process to exceed 200,000 messages/day.
Secondary VettingStandard Vetting#: Automated third-party review (Aegis or WMC) producing the Trust Score; ~$41.50 (often quoted ~$40).
SHAFTSex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco#: CTIA prohibited/restricted content categories.
Short Code#: A 5–6 digit leased number; highest throughput (~100 MPS/code) and carrier trust. Only dedicated codes exist after the 2021 shared-code ban.
Snowshoeing#: Spreading traffic thinly across many numbers to evade filtering; the 49-number/campaign limit combats it.
Sole Proprietor#: Low-volume path for individuals/small businesses without an EIN; 1 campaign, 1–2 numbers, 1,000/day T-Mobile, 15 TPM AT&T, no Trust Score.
SomosU.S. Short Code Registry#: Neutral administrator (usshortcodes.com) of short-code leasing; also toll-free administration and the TSS text-enablement registry.
Special Business ReviewT-Mobile SBR#: One-time $500/brand process to exceed the 200,000/day T-Mobile cap.
STIR/SHAKEN#: Caller-ID authentication. STIR = IETF crypto standards; SHAKEN = the ATIS/SIP carrier profile. Signs calls so the destination carrier can confirm the number wasn’t spoofed.
STOP / HELP keywords#: Mandatory keywords: STOP (and CANCEL/QUIT/UNSUBSCRIBE/END) opts out; HELP/INFO returns support info.
TCPATelephone Consumer Protection Act#: Federal law (1991) on consent for autodialed/prerecorded/marketing calls & texts; private right of action, $500–$1,500 per message.
TCRThe Campaign Registry#: The central registry storing verified Brand and Campaign records; coordinates vetting/Trust Score and distributes data to carriers. Brands cannot register directly.
Toll-Free VerificationTFV#: One-time free registration of a toll-free number for A2P; unverified numbers blocked since Jan 31, 2024.
Trust Score#: A 0–100 score from secondary vetting reflecting brand identity/age/size/compliance (NOT content). Drives carrier throughput.
Use Case#: The message category (2FA, Marketing, Account Notification, Mixed, Low Volume, Charity, Emergency, Political, Sole Proprietor…). Determines fee and some throughput rules.
Vanity short code#: A self-selected, memorable short code (premium ~~$1,000/mo registry rate); random codes are system-assigned and cheaper (~~$500/mo).

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