Summary
Experiencing issues sending email to SMS via AT&T involves navigating several factors. AT&T may block messages if they suspect spam or policy violations. A key issue is the use of an unsupported AT&T gateway for bulk sending, compounded by stringent CAN-SPAM opt-in requirements. For resolution, contacting AT&T support is crucial, alongside ensuring recipient opt-in and exploring dedicated SMS providers. Technical aspects include proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and awareness of AT&T's SMS/MMS message limits. Alternative solutions involve push notifications, TCPA compliance is mandatory, and direct SMS gateways are preferable for high-volume sending.
Key findings
- AT&T Blocking: AT&T may block messages suspected of spam or policy violations; dedicated SMS providers are more reliable.
- Unsupported Gateway: AT&T has an unsupported gateway for bulk email-to-SMS, combined with restrictive CAN-SPAM opt-in needs.
- Contact Support: Contacting AT&T support directly is often the quickest route to issue resolution. Email <mailto:mobilityabuse@att.com> may be outdated.
- Email Authentication: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC on the sending domain for deliverability.
- Message Limits: AT&T enforces SMS/MMS limits; exceeding them results in blocked messages.
- SMS Best Practices: Best practices are to throttle SMS volume, implement an opt-out, and provide clear sender identification.
- Alternative Options: Push notifications offer a viable alternative to SMS.
Key considerations
- Compliance: Adhere to TCPA compliance requirements for SMS communication.
- Reliability: Email-to-SMS is less reliable than dedicated SMS channels due to spam filtering.
- Volume: Manage SMS volume carefully to avoid triggering spam filters or exceeding AT&T limits.
- AT&T Specifics: Understand and comply with AT&T's specific SMS/MMS policies, contacting support for clarification.
- Direct Gateways: Direct SMS gateways are preferable for high-volume messaging to ensure deliverability, though email-to-SMS lacks reporting features.
- Recipient Preferences: Verify that recipients have opted-in and that their carrier supports email-to-SMS.
What email marketers say
7 marketer opinions
When facing issues sending email to SMS texts via AT&T, several factors come into play. AT&T may block messages suspected of being spam or violating terms. Consider contacting AT&T support, exploring dedicated SMS providers, ensuring recipient opt-in and carrier support, adhering to SMS best practices like throttling and opt-out functions, and maintaining TCPA compliance. Push notifications can be a useful alternative.
Key opinions
- AT&T Blocking: AT&T may block messages suspected of being spam or policy violations.
- Dedicated Providers: Exploring dedicated SMS providers can improve reliability.
- Opt-in and Support: Ensure recipient opt-in and that the carrier supports email-to-SMS.
- SMS Best Practices: Adhere to SMS best practices like throttling volume and opt-out options.
- Alternative Options: Push notifications can serve as an alternative to SMS.
- Contact AT&T Support: Direct email to <mailto:mobilityabuse@att.com> (potentially outdated) or contact AT&T support.
Key considerations
- Compliance: Maintain TCPA compliance for SMS messaging.
- Deliverability: Email-to-SMS is prone to delivery issues; dedicated SMS channels are preferable.
- Recipient Preferences: Recipients may not be aware or accepting of Email to SMS messages.
- Volume: Ensure messages are throttled to avoid being blocked by spam filters or AT&T.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Quora user advises to check if the recipient's mobile carrier supports email-to-SMS and if the recipient has opted-in to receive such messages. They also recommend using a reliable SMS gateway provider instead of relying solely on email-to-SMS.
28 Apr 2023 - Quora
Marketer view
Email marketer from SlickText shares the importance of maintaining TCPA Compliance for SMS.
13 Mar 2024 - SlickText
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
When experiencing issues sending email to SMS texts via AT&T, understand that AT&T has specific gateways, one of which is unsupported for bulk use, and stringent opt-in requirements under CAN-SPAM. To resolve issues, ensure recipients have opted-in and contacting AT&T support is the fastest solution. Implement proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) on your sending domain to improve deliverability.
Key opinions
- Unsupported Gateway: AT&T has an unsupported gateway for bulk email-to-SMS.
- Opt-in Requirements: CAN-SPAM imposes onerous opt-in requirements for email-to-SMS.
- Contact Support: Contacting AT&T support is the quickest way to resolve specific issues.
- Email Authentication: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) improves deliverability.
Key considerations
- Compliance: Ensure compliance with CAN-SPAM opt-in requirements.
- Authentication: Properly configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for the sending domain.
- Troubleshooting: When issues arise, contact AT&T support directly for assistance.
- Alternatives: Consider using MMS with a dedicated number because it is often a more compliant alternative.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks says that there was a physical form that the ATT person sent. If the messages are opt-in, have the recipients call support, this is probably the fastest way to get it resolved.
26 Jan 2025 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares that there's an AT&T gateway that isn't really for bulk use and isn't supported. She doesn't remember the details but the opt-in requirements under CAN-SPAM are onerous, and most folks get a phone number to do MMS.
18 Apr 2023 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
When encountering problems sending email to SMS texts via AT&T, it's advisable to use dedicated short codes or long codes instead of email-to-SMS gateways for better reliability. Ensure proper email infrastructure authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) if you must use email. Be aware of AT&T's SMS/MMS message limits, exceeding which can lead to message blocking; contact AT&T support for details. Email-to-SMS is susceptible to spam filters, and direct SMS gateways are preferable for high-volume messaging, although email-to-SMS lacks reporting information.
Key findings
- Dedicated Codes Preferred: Dedicated short codes or long codes are more reliable than email-to-SMS gateways.
- Authentication Required: Proper email infrastructure authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial.
- Message Limits: AT&T enforces SMS/MMS message limits; exceeding them can result in blocked messages.
- Spam Filtering: Email-to-SMS is prone to deliverability issues due to spam filters.
- Direct Gateways for Volume: Direct SMS gateways are recommended for high-volume messaging.
- Reporting: Email-to-SMS gateways lack reporting information.
Key considerations
- Reliability: Email-to-SMS is less reliable than dedicated SMS solutions.
- Authentication: Properly configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for enhanced deliverability.
- Volume: Consider a direct SMS gateway for high-volume sending to ensure reliable delivery.
- AT&T Specifics: Be aware of and adhere to AT&T's SMS/MMS limits, consulting support for further information.
Technical article
Documentation from AT&T explains that AT&T enforces limits on SMS/MMS messages, and exceeding those limits can result in blocked messages. Contact support for more information on limits.
6 Apr 2024 - AT&T
Technical article
Documentation from Telnyx explains that email to SMS can have deliverability issues due to spam filters. Telnyx recommends using a dedicated SMS platform for reliable message delivery.
23 Sep 2023 - Telnyx
How are email delivery issues between AT&T and Yahoo related?
How do I contact the AT&T postmaster and what domains are associated with their email filtering?
How to fix DKIM failing due to apostrophe in From header at ATT.net?
Why are images not loading in iCloud mail?
Why are my emails suddenly going to spam in Outlook and Hotmail?
