How Sender ID Verification works#

Sender IDs identify the sender of application-to-person (A2P) SMS messages. Before A2P SMS can be sent through DIDWW using these Sender IDs, the business and messaging traffic must be approved through a Sender ID Verification.

What is a Sender ID?#

A Sender ID is the name or phone number shown as the sender of an application-to-person (A2P) SMS message. It helps recipients identify the sender. If the Sender ID supports incoming SMS messages, recipients can also reply.

DIDWW supports four Sender ID options:

  • Alphanumeric displays a business or brand name instead of a phone number. It is not linked to a DID number and does not support replies.

  • Long-code uses an eligible DID number assigned to the DIDWW account.

  • Toll-Free uses an eligible US Toll-Free DID number assigned to the DIDWW account.

  • Carrier uses a dynamic Sender ID assigned by the destination carrier. It is not linked to a DID number in the DIDWW account.

The Sender ID type determines what recipients see, whether replies are possible, and which country requirements apply. For a detailed comparison, see Sender ID types.

Why do Sender IDs require verification?#

Regulations and downstream carriers can require businesses and Sender IDs to be registered before A2P messages are delivered. Verification establishes who is sending the messages, where the traffic will be sent, and whether the intended messaging use is supported.

Depending on the Sender ID type and country, a verification can associate the following information:

  • The business identity and address.

  • The Sender ID or eligible DID numbers.

  • The countries where the Sender ID will be used.

  • The messaging use case and campaign description.

  • The recipient consent and opt-out process.

  • Sample messages and supporting documents.

The submitted information must describe the same business and traffic that will use the Sender ID. For messaging and consent requirements, see A2P SMS compliance requirements. For type-specific fields, see Sender ID Verification reference.

How does Sender ID verification work?#

A Sender ID Verification contains the business and messaging details required to approve a Sender ID for use in specific countries. For Carrier verifications, approval applies to the messaging traffic rather than a specific Sender ID because the destination carrier assigns the Sender ID dynamically.

The submitted information is reviewed by DIDWW. Once approved, the Sender IDs covered by the verification can be used for the approved business, countries, and messaging purpose. To send messages, associate the verification with an outbound SMS trunk.

The estimated review time is shown in the DIDWW User Panel before submission. Actual approval time can vary depending on the Sender ID type, country requirements, and whether additional information is requested.

Verification lifecycle#

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   review -->|Approved| active
   review -->|Changes requested| changes
   changes -->|Review resumed| review
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   closure -->|Closure completed| closed

A newly created verification has the New status. Its status changes to In Process when the review starts and to Active after approval.

If the submitted information needs corrections or additions, the verification moves to Changes Required. After you update and resubmit it, it returns to In Process when the review resumes.

When you request closure of an active verification, its status changes to Pending Closure. After the closure is completed, the status changes to Closed.

When you request closure of an active verification, it moves to Pending Closure. After the closure is completed, it becomes Closed.

For complete status definitions, see Status values.

Pricing and billing#

Verification pricing depends on the Sender ID type and destination country. Charges can include:

  • A non-recurring charge (NRC) for the one-time setup fee.

  • A monthly recurring charge (MRC) for maintaining the verification.

The applicable NRC and initial MRC are charged after the verification is approved and its status becomes Active. Subsequent MRCs are charged on the renewal date shown in the verification details.

Before submission, the DIDWW User Panel shows the applicable setup fee, recurring price, per-message pricing, and the amount due upon approval. Message usage charges are separate from verification setup and recurring charges.

Always review the pricing shown in the DIDWW User Panel before submitting a verification. For billing field descriptions, see Sender ID Verification fields.

Managing Sender ID Verifications#

Verifications can be updated, resubmitted when changes are required, or closed when their Sender IDs should no longer be used. For task instructions, see How-to guides.