August 2022 Summaries

Toll-free verification is a process to qualify messaging traffic and obtain carrier approval for sending messages within the U.S. and Canada. All toll-free numbers must be verified by September 30th, as part of an industry effort to combat spam and restore public trust in A2P text messaging. The verification process involves reviewing the sender's business and use case for message traffic. Bandwidth offers assistance with registration and submission of toll-free verification brief or bulk verification form available on their support website.

The article discusses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), a technology that delivers voice communications in data packets over the internet instead of physical landlines. It explains how VoIP works, including the process of converting audio signals into data packets and sending them across networks before being converted back into voice at the destination. The article also introduces non-fixed VoIP numbers, which are assigned to users with any geographical location rather than a fixed physical address or device. These virtual phone numbers can be used by businesses to establish a local presence in areas where they don't have offices and allow for easy management of new contact center numbers or employees joining the company. Non-fixed VoIP offers several benefits, such as flexibility, simple provisioning requirements, global scalability, and cost savings. However, it also has some drawbacks, including additional emergency compliance requirements and higher levels of fraud. In contrast, fixed VoIP phone numbers have a residential or business location tied to them and are typically assigned to analog devices found in offices, campuses, or hotel phone systems. Fixed VoIP offers caller ID identification and more accurate location information for emergency responders when calling 911/112. The article concludes by stating that non-fixed VoIP is ideal for global businesses with employees and prospects worldwide, while fixed VoIP may be better suited for companies with a local presence or single location, in-person employees, and customers and prospects within one geographical area.

The blog discusses the importance of managing telecommunications regulations around the world, especially for businesses going global. It highlights various aspects such as compliance requirements, number activation, emergency services, and regulatory checklists. The article emphasizes that proactive management of compliance is crucial to avoid service disruptions and maintain business continuity. Furthermore, it provides insights into emerging telecom regulations due to the shift from ISDN to VoIP and discusses specific laws in the U.S., such as RAY BAUM's Act and Kari's Law. The blog concludes with a regulatory Q&A section addressing concerns related to enabling emergency services for remote employees, location tracking for international nomadic users, and more.

In a digital age dominated by mobile communication, businesses have increasingly turned to SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) to engage with customers, facilitated by widespread 5G coverage and post-pandemic habits. SMS, characterized by its plain text format and ability to function without internet, offers cost-effective and broad reach for concise messaging, ideal for notifications and reminders. Conversely, MMS allows for rich media content like images and videos, making it suitable for more engaging and personalized communications that capitalize on humans' quick processing of visuals. While SMS offers the advantage of universality and low cost, MMS excels in capturing attention through multimedia, enhancing brand personality and message impact. Additionally, Over The Top (OTT) messaging apps, such as iMessage, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, and WhatsApp, provide alternatives that operate over the internet, each with unique features and compatibility. Understanding the distinct advantages of SMS and MMS can help businesses maximize their messaging strategies, leveraging the strengths of each to suit different communication needs and audience engagement.

In 2021, the Dev Org at Bandwidth achieved significant milestones, including launching Hacker Hours - a program that allows technologists to dedicate 10% of their time to learning, experimenting, and innovating. The program was well-received with increased participation in 2022. Key achievements include the establishment of tools and resources for ideation, a committee for governance and oversight, and the Hack of the Year Awards. For 2022, Bandwidth aims to expand the Hacker Hours Committee, increase usage of individual hours across the organization, introduce metrics for tracking program success, rebrand the Hack of the Year competition as a Showcase, and facilitate a Showcase event. The company continues to be data-driven, gathering monthly statistics on Hacker Hours usage and engagement.

For businesses considering a switch from Twilio to another CPaaS provider, this guide outlines key steps and considerations to ensure a smooth transition. Common reasons to leave Twilio include cost inefficiencies, scalability issues, and insufficient technical support. To begin the migration process, companies should first identify and document differences in API functionalities among various providers, focusing on areas such as call state events, message events, and database changes. Once these differences are understood, businesses can scope necessary adjustments before implementing changes, a process that can take from a week to a month depending on the complexity of the migration. The guide emphasizes the importance of detail-oriented execution and clean coding practices for a stable transition and suggests Bandwidth as a potential alternative, highlighting its support and expertise in facilitating seamless digital communication experiences.