US Mobile Network Operator Codes of Conduct and Non-Compliance Fines

What do you need to know? 

T-Mobile has introduced non-compliance fines for messages including prohibited content. If T-Mobile detects any messages that violate the tiers listed below, they will issue a Sev-0 violation (the most severe consumer violation), a non-compliance fine, and initiate blocking of message delivery from the offending line. 

This applies to all commercial messaging non-consumer A2P products (i.e. SMS or MMS on short code, toll-free, and 10DLC lines) that traverse the T-Mobile Network. 

Because Sev-0 violations also infringe on Textel Terms of Service, Textel will pass on these fines to you for every Sev-0 violation, starting February 15, 2024. These fines include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Tier 1: $2,000: phishing (including simulated phishing sent for security testing or similar purposes), smishing, and social engineering
  • Social Engineering is a technique used to manipulate someone into sharing private information, like passwords or credit card numbers. 
• Tier 2: $1,000: illegal content (content must be legal federally and in all 50 states). 
• Tier 3: $500: all other violations in commercial messaging including but not limited to, SHAFT (sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, and tobacco) that do not follow federal and state law and regulations (e.g. age-gate). 

If you are subject to these fines, Textel will send you a Sev-0 violation notice and will subsequently charge the respective fine amount. 

T-Mobile also reserves the right to permanently suspend any brands, campaigns, and your company’s access to the T-Mobile Network in the event violations are deemed to be excessive.