New Messaging Solution Helps Companies Avoid Spamming, Protect Brand Reputations, Focus on Quality Consumer Engagement

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – April 3, 2017 – As consumers increasingly rely upon text messaging for authentic engagement with organizations to conduct a variety of everyday tasks, the last thing they want or need are irrelevant, misdirected texts they did not ask to receive, or worse, their medical, financial and other personal data sent to someone else’s mobile phone.

iconectiv, an authoritative partner of the global communications industry connecting more than two billion people every day, today announced iconectiv® Right Party Verification for Messaging, a new service for mobile marketers, messaging aggregators and contact centers to deliver targeted communications, less unwanted spam and happier customers. 

The service was developed in response to evolving Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) that now dictate companies must have permission not just to send marketing messages to a mobile number but also to have explicit consent to contact the owner of that number.  Failure to comply can lead to large fines for offending companies. With some 45 million U.S mobile numbers typically reassigned every year, just one communication to a number with a new owner could trigger a fine that is currently set at a minimum $500 per unsolicited contact – increasing to $1,500 per contact for offenses deemed to be deliberate. 

The numbers can quickly add up. Recent TCPA enforcement has seen many established and well-known brands endure record-setting legal penalties and multi-million dollar class-action lawsuits.

This new service, part of the iconectiv Messaging Solution, builds on the company’s long history in the mobile numbering space, particularly the transfer of numbers from one service provider to another. With research showing that around 97 percent of messages are opened within three minutes, protecting the integrity of text messaging outreach is vital to today’s mobile marketing efforts.

“Right Party Verification for Messaging means companies can have renewed confidence in one of the most popular forms of customer engagement,” said Scott Puopolo, Executive Vice President, Information Solutions, iconectiv. “When managed correctly, text messaging is a powerful tool that delivers the right message into the hands of the right people. Handled badly, it can alienate customers, damage brand integrity, and lead to costly fines.

“Our Right Party Verification for Messaging service keeps the contact base up to date, keeps the marketing flowing, the customers engaged, and the regulators and associated fines at bay,” he said.

Sue Rudd, Director Networks and Service Platforms at Strategy Analytics, noted, “Despite the recent Congressional vote to overturn imminent Internet privacy regulations for ISPs, the TCPA is already in effect to protect consumers from unsolicited ‘robotexts.’  Good businesses want to comply with TCPA to maintain consumer loyalty and to keep open trusted personal communications channels.”

“Opt-in text messaging has become an essential communications tool for many businesses and brands - so initiatives such as the iconectiv Right Party Verification for Messaging that help ensure the right messages only go to the right party with guaranteed privacy are a welcome addition to help mobile marketers protect their customers and enhance ongoing engagement while increasing mutual value,” Rudd added.

As a leader in the communications industry for over 30 years, iconectiv brings messaging best practices, regulatory expertise, as well as an impressive arsenal of sophisticated solutions to companies engaging in mobile marketing.
 
“We offer world-class capabilities to help mobile marketers meet their regulatory obligations and protect their businesses from costly lawsuits,” said Puopolo. “In line with our other products and services, Right Party Verification for Messaging is simple to use, seamless to integrate and secure for organizations of all sizes and industries.” 

About iconectiv

At iconectiv, we envision a world without boundaries, where the ability to access and exchange information is simple, seamless and secure. As the authoritative partner of the communications industry for more than 30 years, iconectiv realizes this vision for more than two billion people every day by providing market-leading solutions that enable the interconnection of networks, devices, and applications. Working closely with private, government and non-governmental organizations, iconectiv continues to protect and secure telecommunication infrastructures for service providers, governments and enterprises, while providing network and operations management, numbering, registry, messaging and fraud and identity solutions to more than 1,200 organizations globally.

A US-based company, Telcordia Technologies, doing business as iconectiv, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ericsson. For more information, visit www.iconectiv.com.

[Suggested Tweet]  New #telecom service from @iconectiv helps protect #consumers from #unwanted #calls and businesses from #FCC #TCPA fines. 

Media Contact:

Sharon Oddy
iconectiv
+1-732-699-5130/908-809-2268
soddy@iconectiv.com

Lora Wilson/Gabe Uribe
Global Results Communications
+1-949-608-0276
iconectiv@globalresultspr.com