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.