Text Number Registration
Why do I have to register my text numbers?
Mobile carriers require registration for all mass text messaging to prevent fraud and spam. Registration establishes legitimacy for your organization and messages, helping ensure reliable delivery while reducing unwanted messages across the network. Text-Em-All supports these carrier efforts because they align with our commitment to responsible messaging.
Who needs to register?
Anyone using Text-Em-All or similar services must register to send text messages. Registration applies to both toll-free numbers and local landline numbers. Voice-only messaging does not require registration.
| Message Type | Registration Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Text messages (SMS/MMS) | Yes | All toll-free and local numbers |
| Voice messages only | No | Registration not needed |
What do I need to register?
Registration requirements depend on your specific use case, but most organizations need an online presence and business information if applicable.
Required documentation
- Online presence: Website, social media page, or other digital presence that carriers can verify
- Business tax ID (EIN): Required for businesses registering local numbers. Non-business use cases can register without a tax ID
What if I don't have a tax ID?
When the form asks "Who is sending messages?", select "An individual or informal group." This lets you register without any business details.
- Organization Name: enter your own name or the name of your one time event or gathering.
- Address: enter a personal address - make sure it is not an address associated with an organization (like a church) that has an EIN, or the carriers will reject the submission.
- Online presence/website: still applies when registering as an individual. Carriers must be able to view it, so it can't be password protected. If you don't have a website, a public Facebook or Instagram page covers it; fill in the About section with your name and what you do.
The online presence/website requirement comes from the mobile carriers, not from Text-Em-All. Before they allow a number to use a mass texting platform, carriers verify that a real, identifiable person or organization is behind it. We can't waive or skip this step on your behalf.
Does registration cost anything?
Text-Em-All does not charge any registration fees to customers. There are no registration fees and no per-message fees passed through to you, even though carriers charge these fees to messaging providers.
How long does registration take?
Remember, registration is subject to the mobile carriers and how long it takes them to review and approve a submission. Text-Em-All expedites the majority of our submissions, so these timeframes below are the fastest that we see registrations complete.
| Number Type | Typical Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toll-free numbers | 7 business days | Standard processing time |
| Local numbers | Two business days | This is two full business days, so expect to see your registration approved by end of day on the second business day |
Important: Your text number cannot send messages until registration is complete.
I started registering and didn't finish. Is my progress saved?
No. We don’t save registration progress, so if you leave the page before you submit, you’ll need to log in and start the registration again. Have your business name, tax ID, address, and website or social media page ready before you begin, so you can finish in one sitting.
What are the message limits after registration?
Message delivery speed and daily caps are set by individual carriers based on your registered use case and vetting score. Each carrier has different restrictions and capabilities.
Carrier-specific limits
| Carrier | Limit Type | Range |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Daily message cap | 1,000 to 200,000 messages per day |
| AT&T | Messages per minute | 15 to 4,500 messages per minute |
Understanding message segments
Messages are counted in 160-character segments. A 320-character message equals 2 segments.
Example scenarios:
Scenario 1: You send a 300-character message to 100 contacts. This equals 2 segments × 100 contacts = 200 total messages. AT&T recipients will receive messages at the slower delivery speed (15 messages/minute), while other carriers deliver normally.
Scenario 2: You send a 100-character message to 2,500 contacts. This equals 1 segment × 2,500 contacts = 2,500 total messages. You would be prompted to register as a high-volume sender because this exceeds T-Mobile's base daily cap.
Need higher volume? If you plan to send more than 2,000 text messages in a single day, contact our support team for help with high-volume registration.
Note: Text messages are counted in 160-character segments, so a 320-character message counts as 2 segments.
Can I use my own local number?
Yes, you can text-enable your existing landline phone number through Text-Em-All. Mobile phone lines cannot be used for mass texting due to carrier restrictions.
How to register your landline
- Complete the Text-Em-All Letter of Authorization
- Email the completed form to compliance@text-em-all.com
- Our team will work with carriers to text-enable your number
Important limitations:
- Only landline numbers work for mass texting
- Mobile phone lines are not eligible
- A number can only be used on one platform at a time
- Using your personal mobile number would prevent it from working in standard messaging apps like iMessage