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Abhishek Upadhyay
Abhishek Upadhyay

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How to Become an A2P SMS Aggregator?

Amongst the various models related to the SMS business, SMS Aggregator tops the list. Becoming an SMS aggregator means that you will act as a connector between brands or businesses and the subscribers of the telecom carriers. These aggregators use A2P SMS platforms to provide their services to enterprises. Also, they keep track of various aspects related to A2P SMS campaigns such as message status, ensuring regulatory compliance, invoicing, etc. In this blog, we are going to share some of the important points which you should not miss when starting an A2P SMS Aggregator business are:

Step 1: Choose an SMS Platform Model

The very first step in becoming an SMS aggregator is to choose a reliable and robust SMS platform. Here you generally have two options - Purchase or Rent. This simply means that you can either choose to get a license by making a one-time investment or go for a hosted model by paying some monthly subscription fee. Our suggestion is to choose the licensed model if you have sufficient financial resources because it saves you from the monthly cost of the platform.

Step 2: Figure Out the Required Features

The platform you choose for your aggregator business must have the essential features as well as the required advanced features. To name a few- SMPP, Http to SMPP conversion, Inbound and Outbound SMPP, Dynamic Routing, SMS Content Whitelisting, Two Way SMS, SMS Translation, etc.
It is always better to check the availability of these features with the provider beforehand. Also, you can ask them for a free demo to make the right decision.

Step 3: Select a Route Provider

Now that the SMS platform is finalized for your SMS aggregator business, it is time to look for an SMS route provider. Remember that white routes are superior quality routes as they offer better security and delivery. You must check with your route provider about the availability of routes for specific regions.

Step 4: Set Up a Support Team

A business cannot run smoothly if it doesn’t offer support services to its clients. As an SMS Aggregator, it is essential for you to offer omnichannel support. This means that customers with queries and concerns should be able to contact your agents via different types of communication channels such as email, live chat, social media, and phone calls.

Some Do’s and Don’ts for SMS Aggregators

Do’s

•Ensure adherence to local and international regulations governing A2P SMS messaging
•Ensure the content of messages is clear, concise, and relevant to recipients
•Optimize message routing to ensure high deliverability rates and timely message delivery
•Prioritize the security of your platform and the data handled by you
•Offer clear and transparent billing practices to your enterprise clients
•Continuously monitor message delivery and provide real-time reporting and analytics to enterprise clients

Don’ts

•Avoid sending unsolicited or irrelevant messages to users
•Never attempt to bypass regulations or use unauthorized channels
•Avoid sending a high volume of messages to carriers in a short period of time

Conclusion

Starting a venture as an A2P SMS Aggregator is relay an exciting and rewarding opportunity but it demands careful planning and a strong understanding of the telecom landscape. One must adhere to industry regulations and focus on delivering high-quality services. So, it’s time to take the first step and embark on your journey of becoming a successful A2P SMS Aggregator.

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