Are USA Premium SMS (PSMS) Services MO or MT billed?

USA Premium SMS (PSMS) Services are MT billed. MT billed means that end users are charged when they receive the outbound SMS message (MT) to their cell phone, as opposed to being charged when they send an inbound SMS message (MO).

Mutliple MT billing is not allowed in the USA. This is when multiple billed MT messages are sent to an end user in order to charge a higher price point. Carrier regulations require that each billed MT must be preceded by an inbound SMS message (MO).

How many keywords and/or sub-keywords can I have on a shared shortcode?

On a shared shortcode, clients are permitted to have an unlimited amount of keywords and/or sub-keywords (subject to availability).

Unless specifically agreed upon with an Account Manager, a standard Agreement is as follows:

• Inbound SMS services include a primary keyword free of charge. Each complimentary primary keyword must include a system prefix to indentify which module is being used on the shared shortcode. For example, for mBILL the opt-in would be 'ASK {KEYWORD}' to {SHORTCODE}.
• With this convention, clients may use unlimited sub-keywords to identify various services 'ASK {KEYWORD} {SUBKEYWORD}' to {SHORTCODE}.
• Clients may "mask off" the system prefix (IE. ASK) for an additional cost by purchasing a Dedicated Keyword. For example, an opt- in would then be {KEYWORD} to {SHORTCODE}. Clients are allowed to purchase as many keywords as they would like.
• With the purchase of a Dedicated Keyword, clients may also use unlimited sub-keywords to run various services. For example, '{KEYWORD} {SUBKEYWORD}' to {SHORTCODE}.

Can I run Premium SMS Chat services in the USA?

Premium SMS (PSMS) "Chat" services are currently allowed in the USA via txtNation. Most major US Carriers support "Chat" services except Verizon Wireless. In "Premium SMS Chat" services, a user must be invited to join a Chat service. This includes but is not limited to Operator, Peer2Peer, Operator Moderated Group chat interaction. "Chat" is inclusive of services such as tarot card readings, astrology, special interests. Explicit language, adult chat is currently not approved. The following must be taken into consideration for Chat services:

• Monthly subscription or per message billing are the only valid billing options. Some Carriers support both or only one
• There is maximum allowable rate of a single billing event depending on Carrier
• There is maximum allowable charges for a sinbgle chat service in a monthly period
• Notification of accumulated chages must be sent in increments of $25.00 or month. This message should apply disclosure to user they have accumulated $25.00 (or relevant derivatitve) along with relevant opt-out information and HELP command
• The end user must be notified and must opt-in for every $25 in premium
  charges that they incur. These additional “continuation” messages must:
  o Express dollar amounts reached, not the number of messages billed
  o Present cumulative premium charge dollar amounts (up to the limit of
  $75.00). For example $25, $50, $75
  o Tally charges based on the anniversary date of initial sign up.
  Example: user signs up for service on Jan 12th, 2006 all months will
  end on the 12th of each month
  o If the end user does not reply affirmatively to continuation message
  the system must pause the chat service until the anniversary date.
  o No further MT’s can be sent to a end user until affirmative response
  to continuation message is provided by the end user. If the end user
  does not attempt to chat, no additional messages may be sent. The
  chat participant must be considered in a PAUSED status
  o HELP and OPT OUT keywords must be included in the continuation
  message
  o Suggested keywords are the same as the opt-in keywords defined
  above. In addition, MORE or CONTINUE should be supported as reopt-
  in words
  o Regardless of status (Paused or Active), the end user must be able to
  opt-out of the program at any time
• While the end user is in PAUSED status, end user cannot incur any further premium messaging charges
• Service Providers are strictly prohibited from queuing messages that are
  attempted to be sent to a PAUSED end user and transmitting them to the
  user later
• Double opt-in is required; first MT must disclose pricing, opt-out information,
  message frequency and user MUST respond with YES to complete activation
• Premium for “registration” messages are NOT allowable. All messages related
  to registration, establishing a profile, etc. must be standard rated
• MT can only be sent as a response to an MO from User
• Operator chat applications CANNOT “self-generate” MT’s
• IVR and Voice Chat are NOT allowable; SMS Chat applications cannot advertise IVR or Voice Chat services nor can they initiate/facilitate voice conversation between two users (user includes “Operator”)
• End users must be opted-out after 60 days of inactivity. An informational
  message informing the end user of the automatic opt-out may be sent
• Chat participants must have the ability to report and block members

Please refer to the txtNation USA Carrier Guidelines for specific Carrier regulations for "Chat" services.

Learn more at mBILL. www.m-bill.net.

Premium SMS USA - Vote for your President

Voting via Premium SMS USA - Vote for your President

A survey by Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) suggests that many teens and their parents across the U.S. would rather vote by text message on their cell phones in the next election rather than go to the polls.

According to the short survey, more than half of all Democrats, Republicans and Independents surveyed say that if allowed, they’d text in their Presidential vote.

- More than six in ten (61%a) of respondents of legal voting age, age 18 and older, would be open to voting by text.

- Eight in ten (80%) teens, ages 13-17, say that if they were allowed to vote in this year’s Presidential election, they’d do it by text message instead of going to the polls.

The survey, commissioned by Samsung Mobile, was conducted by Kelton Research and included 300 American teens ages 13 - 19 and 500 American parents with children ages 13 - 19.

www.m-bill.net

Premium SMS USA Short Code Services - Shared And Dedicated

Premium SMS USA Short Code Services

Shared And Dedicated Premium SMS Short Codes
To do any Premium SMS messaging in the US, you must send from a short code leased from the Common Short Code Administration (CSCA). The CSCA charges $500 per month to lease a Random short code and $1,000 per month to lease a Vanity code (5 or 6 digit short code that you specifically select). These fees do not establish connectivity, but only give you ownership of a unique, or “dedicated” short code number.

We will complete the CSCA application on your behalf in conjunction with your overall txtNation application at no additional charge.

In case you wish to avoid the upfront investment and ongoing monthly costs, as an alternate solution, you can instantly be set up on one of our short codes.

In either case we will brand and provide you access to our MMA Compliant Campaign Manager PSMS Platform to manage your Mobile Marketing Programs.


Connectivity with Carriers
Once we have registered a live commercial short code, the next step is to activate it on each Carrier’s network to establish connectivity to your wireless customers. A txtNation specialist will work with you to advise you on specific Carrier policies and procedures, and to help you prepare a brief describing your program. We will help you every step of the way from setup to certification.

It usually takes from 6 to 8 weeks to get your own short code set up.

www.m-bill.net