The standard SMS module will provide a facility to generate virtual mobile phone numbers when required. As described in the FAQ on 'SMS Settings', this is mildly problematic as replies are not sent to you directly; rather, the replies are sent via email. The benefit of this system is that the records are maintained in Yabber in full for compliance related purposes. However, in most cases, you will want SMS replies of all types to be sent to your own mobile number, and this is accomplished via the use of 'Phone Names', or what is usually an alphanumeric string (in our case, for example, we often use '1300BELIEF' as the no-reply 'Sender').
Phone Names: Using a senderName that isn't a mobile (such as our "1300BELIEF" of "BELIEFMEDIA") will mean that the traffic is 1-way only; recipients cannot reply directly to messages. (However, you can provide contact information in your message if you want recipients to respond).
Telstra Application: Usage of this or any other SMS feature requires that your Telstra SMS Application be created, and the applicable keys are copied into Yabber. SMS Settings are managed from the 'SMS Settings panel.
This FAQ will detail the process of setting up a Phone Name. Remember, the SMS application is yours forever whether you're an active client of ours or not, so the effort applied in the process contributes towards your business value. We have a plugin called 'BeliefMedia Telstra' that allows you to continue using various SMS features - including verification and messaging - whether you're a client or not.
Some of the text in this FAQ is copied from Telstra Documentation.
AMCA Guidelines
The process to send messages with senderName has changed. As per the recent Australian Scam Industry Code released by Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), you are required to have a valid use case for using a senderName. Valid use case can be established if the senderName identifies the sender of the message ('A-Party'), and can be a product or service of the following entities:
- The Sole Trader, the Company, Partnership, Registered Trust or Co-Operative name of the A-Party.
- The Indigenous Corporation, Registered Organisation or personal name of the A-Party.
- The name of a Commonwealth, State or Territory government, or government agency or entity of the A-Party.
- The name of a foreign government, government agency or entity of the A-Party.
- An Australian or international trade mark registered by the A-Party.
- Acronyms, initialism, or contraction of the A-Party is allowed.
Your own company branding is permitted.
senderName format
The senderName should be a minimum of 3 characters and a maximum of 11 characters from the following categories:
- upper-case letters A-Z
- lower-case letters a-z
- numbers 0-9
- space
- following special characters are allowed: underscore (_), hyphen (-) (aka minus or dash) and dot (.) (aka period or full-stop)
- space and the allowed special characters are counted in the 11-character limit
Permitted:
- space within the senderName (AB Corp is allowed)
- ampersand (&) only in the case it is part of business identity (ex. the company legal name has ‘&’ in it)
- underscore, hyphen, dot or ampersand within the senderName (i.e., ABC_123 is allowed)
Not Permitted:
- Space and the allowed special characters as the first or last character in the senderName (i.e. ABC123 is not allowed)
- Any special characters other than underscore, hyphen, dot and ampersand
- Only numbers as the senderName
Can You See the Problem?
AMCA Guidelines do not permit a number-only Phone Name, and this negates the functionality offered by way of a direct reply to your mobile. In Version 2 of their API, the verified number used during the application process was permitted as a 'From' number, but this feature no longer applies by default (since August 1st 2024).
If your mobile is on the Telstra network the team should be able to enable your number as a send number, and they also have a number of BYO options. We encourage you to contact them to discuss your use case (replies are fast from the Dev team, so it's not 'typical' Telstra).
Register a senderName
Before a senderName can be used, it needs to be registered and approved. To register, fill out a form on Telstra's website 
.
Pictured: Before a senderName can be used, it needs to be registered and approved. To register, fill out this form on Telstra's website. Upon filling out the form, you will receive an email that your request for senderName is registered. Allow Messaging API team to respond to you in 2 working days on the status of the registered senderName. SenderNames are either approved or rejected based on ACMA guidelines and senderName format. To avoid delays in approval, ensure you follow the guidelines and format while submitting the request.
Upon filling out the form, you will receive an email that your request for senderName is registered. Allow Messaging API team to respond to you in 2 working days on the status of the registered senderName. SenderNames are either approved or rejected based on ACMA guidelines and senderName format. To avoid delays in approval, ensure you follow the guidelines and format while submitting the request.
Making the Number Available in Yabber
Once the number is registered to your account, you should synchronise numbers from the 'Sender Names' panel.
Pictured: Once the number is registered to your account, you should synchronise numbers from the 'Sender Names' panel in Yabber (this makes the number available in menus). Either an error or the number of senderNames will be returned. SMS Settings are managed from the 'SMS Settings panel.
Once synced, all approved numbers are available in various select menus.
Number Support
Yabber, plugin, and all general support is provided by us. General enquires regarding numbering and number porting should be addressed to the Telstra Dev messaging team on messagingapi@team.telstra.com.
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SMS Marketing FAQs
The SMS Marketing module is quite large and includes dozens of features. Review additional functionality below.
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