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What is a Tier 2 SMS Aggregator?

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In the video above, Tatango CEO Derek Johnson answers the question, “What is a tier 2 SMS Aggregator?” Prefer to read instead? No problem, please see the post below. You can also find answers to all of your SMS marketing questions in our Q&A video library; click here to browse.

 

What Is an SMS Aggregator?

An SMS aggregator sits in between SMS software providers, brands, developers, and wireless carriers (AT&T, Verizon, etc.). SMS aggregators exist to help simplify the process of building and maintaining all of the technical relationships with wireless carriers by providing one point of contact to each SMS software provider. Through this process, SMS software providers like Tatango can send and receive short code messages on behalf of a brand, across all wireless carriers, with one contract and messaging connection — without having to develop individual relationships with each of the wireless carriers.

 

What Are the Types of SMS Aggregators?

There are two types of SMS aggregators: a Tier 1 and Tier 2 SMS aggregator.

  • Tier 1 aggregators maintain a direct connection to four out of the five major wireless carriers. These wireless carriers include AT&T. Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon Wireless.
  • Tier 2 aggregators only maintain a direct connection to three out of the five major wireless carriers.

If an aggregator doesn’t have a direct connection to a wireless carrier, they typically use a third party to send and receive messages. In SMS marketing, it’s in the best interest of a brand to select a Tier 1 SMS aggregator due to its ability to provide the most direct connections to the wireless carriers.

 

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