The Short Code Registry recently implemented Brand Registration, which includes enhanced vetting, for all short codes. We are notifying you of this change because you are sending messaging traffic on a short code leased by SBT, and SBT will need to register you, our Brand Client, using that short code. In most cases, we will have this information in your record and will not need to seek input. Your Brand point of contact will receive a vetting verification email after your updates have been submitted and your Brand begins the vetting process (see below for details).
This new vetting process is new, and we are still learning ourselves. We are doing our best to advise customers; however, it is out of our control whether a Brand passes the vetting process. If it is impossible to bring your messaging traffic into compliance or you do not pass the vetting process, SBT will be unable to continue to service your messaging.
Why is the Registry requiring Brand Registration?
The Short Code Registry is making updates that are designed to further protect consumers and promote greater transparency through enhanced vetting and monitoring of short codes and their related traffic. The Registry will collect additional data to “enhance the vetting of common short code lessees, Content Providers, and Brand Clients.”
What is the timeline for making these changes?
All new SBT customers, as of October 15, 2024, will have the new registration process built into their implementation process. If you are a new customer as of that date, you do not need to make any changes. All customers who leased their short codes prior to that date may need to complete the new registration. The final date to submit new registration is January 15, 2025. Those codes that are not updated with the requisite information within this timeframe will be subject to compliance enforcement and may be suspended or terminated.
What new information is required for Brand Registration?
New Data Fields for Brand Client
- Organization Legal Name
- Organization Legal Entity Type
- Organization URL
- Organization EIN
- Organization Country of Registration
- Organization Physical Location Address
- Point of Contact Name
- Point of Contact Email
- Point of Contact Phone Number
New Data Fields for Content Provider
- Organization URL
- Organization EIN
If SBT does not have the above information on file for your Brand, we will reach out to confirm new information.
What does this mean to you?
Email Domain Restrictions
Public email domains such as Gmail, Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo, YouMail, and Outlook are no longer considered valid email domains. If you have an account with these emails, please let your SBT CSM know, and we will work with you to guide you through the process of updating your email address. Your POC’s email domain should match either the company’s website domain, or a DBA.
Registration Verification
IMPORTANT! Note that once your new Brand Registration is submitted for vetting, the Brand’s listed Point of Contact will receive an email verification request from the Short Code Registry’s vetting provider, Aegis Mobile. The sender, subject line, and email content should appear as shown below:
The links shown below are not live. They show how the email from Aegis will appear. None of the links shown below are live; they will not work if clicked or copied.
From: Aegis Mobile, LLC <verify@aegismobile.com> example only, do not click
Sent: <Date>
To: <Brand Point-of-Contact-Email>
Subject: Action Required: Verify Your Email Address
Hello, <Organization-Legal-Name>
You have been sent this email as part of the authentication process through Aegis Mobile to register for Short Code Messaging on behalf of <Organization-Legal-Name>. Please follow the instructions below to use the supplied PIN to confirm your registration and finalize the process.
VERIFY OR
1. Go to https://<Aegis Mobile URL> example only, do not click
2. Enter the PIN: <PIN #>
3. Verify the Captcha.
4. Press Submit.
Sincerely,
Aegis Mobile
Where can I read more?
See: The Short Code Registry Implements Changes to Improve Short Code Security