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29 changes: 24 additions & 5 deletions config/navbar.ts
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -167,14 +167,14 @@ const navbar: NavbarItem[] = [
position: "right",
items: [
{
href: "https://support.signalwire.com",
label: "Contact Support",
href: "https://signalwire.zohodesk.com/portal/en/newticket",
label: "Create a Ticket",
"aria-label": "Support",
},
{
href: "https://discord.com/invite/F2WNYTNjuF",
label: "Discord",
"aria-label": "Discord Community",
href: "https://signalwire.zohodesk.com/portal/en/myarea",
label: "My Tickets",
"aria-label": "Support",
},
{
href: "https://status.signalwire.com",
Expand All @@ -184,6 +184,25 @@ const navbar: NavbarItem[] = [
],
},

/// Community Dropdown -------- ///
{
type: "dropdown",
label: "Community",
position: "right",
items: [
{
href: "https://signalwire.zohodesk.com/portal/en/community",
label: "Community Forum",
"aria-label": "Community forum",
},
{
href: "https://discord.com/invite/F2WNYTNjuF",
label: "Discord Server",
"aria-label": "Discord server",
},
],
},

{
href: "https://signalwire.com/signin",
label: "Dashboard",
Expand Down
137 changes: 93 additions & 44 deletions docs/home/messaging/sms/guides/general/toll-free-number-overview.mdx
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
---
title: Toll-Free Verification
title: Toll-free verification
slug: /messaging/guides/general/toll-free-number-overview
sidebar_position: 4
x-custom:
Expand All @@ -9,51 +9,77 @@ x-custom:
description: Overview of Toll-Free number verification process.
---

## Toll-Free Number Overview
import { MdContactPhone } from "react-icons/md";

A great alternative to using a Short Code or a 10DLC (local area code) number is a Toll-Free number. Toll-Free US numbers can be used for business messaging to all major US carriers, as well as most major mobile Canadian carriers.
## Overview

:::info
<div className="row">

<div className="col col--8">

A no-cost
[verification](https://support.signalwire.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=13501768371227)
process needs to be completed for all Toll-Free numbers before being permitted
to send any messages. Pending and unverified numbers are no longer be able to freely send messages.
Toll-free numbers are a great alternative to messaging with Short Code or 10DLC (local area code) numbers.
In the US, toll-free numbers can be used for business messaging to all major US carriers, as well as most major mobile Canadian carriers.
:::info

:::
All toll-free numbers must be verified prior to sending messages.

As a rule of thumb, some [categories of messaging are forbidden](/messaging/getting-started/sms-best-practices-how-to-ensure-message-delivery) on SignalWire. Please take the time to review our list of explicitly prohibited content before submitting your application for Toll-Free, 10DLC, and Short Code.
:::
</div>

<div className="col col--4">
<Card
title="Toll-free verification form"
href="https://forms.signalwire.me/Toll-Free-Verifications.html"
icon={<MdContactPhone />}
>
Submit this form to begin the verification process for a new toll-free number.
</Card>
</div>

</div>

Downstream message filtering is designed to prevent unwanted messaging, fraud, and abuse. Before considering verifying your Toll-Free number, please be sure to follow the [CTIA guidelines and best messaging practices](https://api.ctia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/230523-CTIA-Messaging-Principles-and-Best-Practices-FINAL.pdf).

The following standards must be followed for Toll-Free messaging:
As a rule of thumb, some [categories of messaging are forbidden](/messaging/getting-started/sms-best-practices-how-to-ensure-message-delivery) on SignalWire.
Please take the time to review our list of explicitly prohibited content before submitting your application for Toll-Free, 10DLC, and Short Code.

- Obtain clear opt-in consent from your recipients before sending messages
- Provide an easy way for your recipients to opt-out of receiving messages
- Avoid using shortened URLs. It's highly recommended to use a full branded URL as well as URLs that lead back to a legitimate website that contains branding, a privacy policy, terms of service, and contact information. Publicly hosted URL shorteners are forbidden and are guaranteed to cause spam blocks
- Using multiple Toll-Free numbers to send the same or similar content to bypass throughput limitations is known as **snowshoeing**. This is **highly prohibited** by carriers. If you need to [increase your throughput](https://signalwire.com/products/cloud-messaging/high-throughput-messaging#:~:text=With%20SignalWire%20High-Throughput%20Messaging,with%20Toll-Free%20numbers%20only), it can be approved by our Sales team. If you have a valid use case for using multiple Toll-Free numbers (such as multiple locations all requiring an individual Toll-Free number), this is something we may be able to work out with our carriers.
Downstream message filtering is designed to prevent unwanted messaging, fraud, and abuse.
Before considering verifying your Toll-Free number, please be sure to follow the
[CTIA guidelines and best messaging practices](https://api.ctia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/230523-CTIA-Messaging-Principles-and-Best-Practices-FINAL.pdf).

## Get Verified!
### Requirements

### What is Toll-Free Verification?
The following standards must be followed for Toll-Free messaging:

Getting your Toll-Free number verified means that your business and use case has been reviewed and vetted prior to sending messaging via Toll-Free and that your content has received carrier approval.
- **Obtain clear opt-in consent** from your recipients before sending messages
- **Enable easy opt-out** for message recipients
- **Avoid using shortened URLs**
- It's highly recommended to use a full branded URL as well as URLs that lead back to a legitimate website that contains branding, a privacy policy, terms of service, and contact information.
Publicly hosted URL shorteners are forbidden and are guaranteed to cause spam blocks.
- Using multiple Toll-Free numbers to send the same or similar content to bypass throughput limitations is known as **snowshoeing**. This is **highly prohibited** by carriers. If you need to [increase your throughput](https://signalwire.com/products/cloud-messaging/high-throughput-messaging#:~:text=With%20SignalWire%20High-Throughput%20Messaging,with%20Toll-Free%20numbers%20only), it can be approved by our Sales team. If you have a valid use case for using multiple Toll-Free numbers (such as multiple locations all requiring an individual Toll-Free number), this is something we may be able to work out with our carriers.

:::info
## Verification process {#get-verified}

Please note that the verification process is free of charge.
Getting your Toll-Free number verified means that your business and use case has been reviewed and vetted prior to sending messaging via Toll-Free and that your content has received carrier approval.

:::
There is no charge associated with the verification process.

Having your Toll-Free numbers verified will greatly reduce the risk of spam filtering on Toll-Free traffic towards all major mobile carriers in the US, as well as most major mobile carriers in Canada, so long as you stick with the content you submitted for verification and continue to follow SignalWire's [messaging best practices](https://signalwire.com/resources/guides/a2p-messaging-use-case-best-practices) and [code of conduct](https://signalwire.com/legal/messaging-code-of-conduct). Deviation from your verification registration can still result in spam filtering. **Verified does not mean whitelisted.**
Having your Toll-Free numbers verified will greatly reduce the risk of spam filtering on Toll-Free traffic towards all major mobile carriers in the US, as well as most major mobile carriers in Canada.
Make sure you stick to the content you submitted for verification and continue to follow SignalWire's
[messaging best practices](https://signalwire.com/resources/guides/a2p-messaging-use-case-best-practices) and
[code of conduct](https://signalwire.com/legal/messaging-code-of-conduct).
Deviation from your verification registration can still result in spam filtering. **Verified does not mean whitelisted.**

Verification affects messaging to mobile subscribers in the United States as well as Fido, Rogers, Telus, and Videotron in Canada.

Note: Other (non-US/Canada) countries do not treat Toll-Free SMS any differently than other international SMS, and you should consult that country's SMS Guidelines page to learn more about compliance considerations for messaging.

### Toll-Free Verification Process

If you believe you have a valid use case for a Toll-Free number, our Carrier Operations team would be happy to assist you with obtaining a [Toll-Free verification](https://support.signalwire.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=13501768371227). Once you fill out this [form](https://support.signalwire.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=13501768371227), a ticket will be generated for our Carrier Operations team to process. The turnaround for Toll-Free verification is 3-5 business days.
If you believe you have a valid use case for a Toll-Free number, our Carrier Operations team would be happy to assist you.
Once you fill out the [verification form](https://forms.signalwire.me/Toll-Free-Verifications.html),
a ticket will be generated for our Carrier Operations team to process.
The turnaround for Toll-Free verification is 3-5 business days.

:::caution

Expand All @@ -76,41 +102,64 @@ The form linked above includes the following fields. All of this information is

:::info

Note: While it is not required to include samples of every different iteration of your messaging content, it is strongly recommended that the message samples you provide represent the majority of the content you plan on sending.
Note: While it is not required to include samples of every different iteration of your messaging content,
it is strongly recommended that the message samples you provide represent the majority of the content you plan on sending.

:::

## FAQs

### I have many Toll-Free customers under my account, can I verify in bulk?
<AccordionGroup>

<Accordion title="I have many Toll-Free customers under my account, can I verify in bulk?">

If you are an ISV, for example, and need to complete verification for multiple customers/multiple numbers, please
[download this template](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_LXQ1oXjybbB9YbdBQxfHuoBZIdyI2Bg/edit#gid=1315500553)
and fill out the required information for each number.
To download, click File > Download > Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).
Once you're ready to submit, send the form to [email protected] and our Carrier Operations team will be in touch.

</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Is there an API available?">

No.

</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Does TCR (The Campaign Registry) process toll-free verifications?">

No, TCR is not involved with Toll-Free verifications.
A specific Toll-Free Aggregator handles Toll-Free messaging for the industry and is unrelated to TCR.

</Accordion>

If you are an ISV, for example, and need to complete verification for multiple customers/multiple numbers, please [download this template](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_LXQ1oXjybbB9YbdBQxfHuoBZIdyI2Bg/edit#gid=1315500553) and fill out the required information for each number. To download, click File > Download > Microsoft Excel (.xlsx). Once you're ready to submit, send the form to [email protected] and our Carrier Operations team will be in touch with you!
<Accordion title="Why does Canada have stricter requirements?">

### Is there an API available?
Canada is more restrictive because of its anti-spam laws and the policies
implemented by mobile carriers to meet the law.

Currently (as of March 2024), there is no API available for submitting Toll-Free verification requests.
</Accordion>

### Does TCR (The Campaign Registry) process Toll-Free Verifications?
<Accordion title="Is legal language required somewhere on the brand's website about messaging?">

No, TCR is not involved with Toll-Free verifications. A specific Toll-Free
Aggregator handles Toll-Free messaging for the industry and is unrelated to TCR.
Toll-Free Verification and the downstream provider require legal language to be found somewhere on the brand's website about messaging.
You will have to provide a link to your company's terms and conditions and your privacy policy.

### Why does Canada have stricter requirements?
</Accordion>

Canada is more restrictive because of its anti-spam laws and the policies
implemented by mobile carriers to meet the law.
<Accordion title="How long does the toll-free verification process take?">

### Is legal language required somewhere on the brand's website about messaging?
It can take up to 2 weeks, from start to finish.

Toll-Free Verification and the downstream provider require legal language to be found somewhere on the brand's website about messaging. You will have to provide a link to your
company's terms and conditions and your privacy policy.
</Accordion>

### How long does it take for the Toll-Free verification process?
<Accordion title="If my Toll-Free number is verified, does that guarantee deliverability?">

It can take up to 2 weeks, from start to finish.
No, your verified Toll-Free number is subject to limited filtering.
If your content is flagged as spam, that specific content will be blocked,
but not the Toll-Free number.

### If my Toll-Free number is verified, does that guarantee deliverability?
</Accordion>

No, your verified Toll-Free number is subject to limited filtering. If your
content is flagged as spam, that specific content will be blocked, but not the
Toll-Free number.
</AccordionGroup>
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ x-custom:

## Overview

SignalWire enables users to make calls and send SMS to over 230 international area codes. Please follow the steps outlined below to acquire, activate, and begin International Outbound Dialing & SMS on your SignalWire Space!
SignalWire enables users to make calls and send SMS to over 230 international area codes.
Please follow the steps outlined below to acquire, activate, and begin International Outbound Dialing & SMS on your SignalWire Space!

## International Numbers

Expand All @@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ SignalWire officially supports acquiring numbers in the following countries:
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand

Please [submit a request form](https://support.signalwire.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=15851467489435) to procure an International number(s).
Please [submit a request form](https://forms.signalwire.me/International-Number-Request.html) to procure an International number(s).

:::tip

Expand All @@ -36,7 +37,8 @@ to get started**!
## How to Request International Activation

By default, SignalWire Spaces are only enabled for the US and Canada.
Please [submit a request form](https://support.signalwire.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=13502646494107) for International Services to be enabled on your Space.
Please [submit a request form](https://forms.signalwire.me/International-Number-Request.html)
for International Services to be enabled on your Space.

A new support case will be opened and our technicians will be in contact when approved and enabled.

Expand Down
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ guide for more information on queueing and backlogs for Calls and Messages.
## Request increased limits

Request an increase to your Space's default limits by filling out the
[SignalWire Space Increase Request Form](https://support.signalwire.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=30642768121499)
[SignalWire Space Increase Request Form](https://forms.signalwire.me/Space-Increase-Request.html)
and submitting the required form and necessary documentation to start the account verification process.

SignalWire’s Space Compliance team reviews submissions to approve or deny the request.
Expand Down