Messaging Principles and Best Practices MAY 2023
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3.3.5 Cloud-Based Providers
Cloud-Based Providers enable services like voice and messaging to end-users using
over-the-top IP connectivity or through interoperability with wireless carrier-networked
services, including wireless messaging. Some Cloud-Based Providers offer an API to
access wireless services, while others offer standalone applications.
3.3.6 Inter-Carrier Vendors (ICVs)
Also called Hub Providers, ICVs act as hubs to facilitate interoperability by transporting
messaging traffic between multiple Wireless Providers and Cloud-Based Providers.
3.3.7 Connection Aggregators
Connection Aggregators offer a variety of value-added services to enterprise
customers, including messaging connectivity with multiple Wireless Providers. Unlike
ICVs, Connection Aggregators do not typically support inter-carrier peering traffic.
3.3.8 Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs)
In the messaging ecosystem, CLECs provide 10-digit NANP telephone numbers and
traffic routing services to Cloud-Based Providers.
3.3.9 Registrars
Registrars operate databases of telephone numbers and databases of the associated
Communications Provider or Providers enabling wireless messaging service to those 10-
digit NANP telephone numbers (e.g., CLEC, Wireless Provider, Cloud-Based Provider).
The databases establish a record of 10-digit NANP telephone number resources used to
support the effective exchange of wireless messages. Registrars’ customers include
CLECs, Wireless Providers, ICVs, Cloud-Based Providers, and enterprises.
3.3.10 Network Security Vendors
Network Security Vendors provide solutions that enable Wireless Providers, Cloud-Based
Providers, and ICVs to identify Unwanted Messaging traffic. These solutions deliver a
variety of network security features, including spam containment and management.
3.3.11 Service Providers
Service Providers refers to any of the parties identified in Section 3.3 that offer
messaging services or messaging-related services to Consumers or Non-Consumers
using 10-digit NANP telephone numbers or short codes, including Wireless Providers,
MVNOs, Cloud-Based Providers, and CLECs.
3.3.12 Message Sender or Sender
A Message Sender or Sender is any Service Provider or Non-Consumer that originates or
transmits message traffic.
3.3.13 Unwanted Messages
Unwanted Messages (or Unwanted Messaging) may include unsolicited bulk
commercial messages (i.e., spam); “phishing” messages intended to access private or
confidential information through deception; other forms of abusive, harmful, malicious,
unlawful, or otherwise inappropriate messages; messages that required an opt-in but