Do you want to send messages to local US phone numbers using a local US phone number? This article is for you. If you are sending messages from Toll-Free or Short Code, please click away now.
Now, what exactly is Number Pooling and what do I need to know about it?
You’ve noticed the question when creating your first campaign. “NUMBER POOLING: (Yes/No)” with the tooltip description “Will 50 or more SignalWire phone numbers be used for this single campaign?” and you may have wondered exactly how to answer this question.
To put it simply, does your messaging use case justify using 50 or more SignalWire numbers to send messages to your messaging subscribers?
It’s not that simple though - if you think you’re going to increase your messaging throughput because you’re sending from a larger phone number pool, I’m sorry to say you are mistaken. Number pooling will not increase your messaging throughput, and is not designed to increase your messaging throughput. Brand vetting is designed to increase your messaging throughput, but that will not be covered in this article.
Do you even qualify?
- The Brand is who the mobile subscribers believe to be sending the messages.
When registering your first Brand and Campaign, you must take into consideration who your subscribers believe is sending the messages to them. If you are providing messaging services for another company and their subscribers believe said company is texting them, then said company must be the registered Brand and the Campaign must be registered under said Brand. This is the case even if the messaging is fully templated!
- You can justify utilizing 50 or more numbers to send outbound messages to mobile subscribers.
Believe it or not, most Campaigns succeed greatly with a single outbound phone number, and there are very few use cases for multiple phone number use. We can give you a solid example: Possum Pizza is a franchise with over 50 unique locations. Possum Pizza wants a unique phone number assigned to each location to communicate with customers. Possum Pizza registers their business as a Brand, and proceeds to register a single Campaign for all customer interaction, but is limited to 49 unique phone numbers as 49 is the default phone number limitation per unique Campaign. Possum Pizza reaches out to their CSP to apply for number pooling. The CSP submits an application for number pooling, which will need to be reviewed by T-Mobile before being accepted.
- A separate application must be filled out for number pooling.
Contrary to popular belief, saying “Yes, I need number pooling” is not enough! A form will need to be filled out, and T-Mobile will need to review it for approval. If insufficient information is provided, the applicant will be notified and changes will need to be made. The turnaround time for number pooling approval is 2-4 weeks.
- Your campaign registration must be flawless.
Rock-solid opt-in consent. A clean use case description. A detailed call-to-action/message flow. Accurate sample messages. For more help, visit here. Our messaging registration team would love to help you.
If you’re ready to apply for number pooling, please reach out to our messaging compliance team at messaging@signalwire.com or click here to open a ticket.
Please be sure to include the following information:
- Brand ID
- Campaign ID
- Justification for Number Pooling
- Projected Monthly Volume
- Phone Number Amount Estimate
Info to consider:
- Brand vetting is highly recommended prior to number pooling application submission.
- In most use cases, the number pooling feature handles up to 5,000 unique phone numbers.
- Up to 10 unique Campaigns can be submitted at a time.
- Processing can take 2-4 weeks.
- There is a $2000 configuration fee and a $100 application fee that is collected prior to application submission (refundable if application is not accepted by T-Mobile)
So, you’ve made it this far. Thank you for reading! Do you think you qualify? Reach out now and speak with a member of our messaging registration team to find out more.