Resolution No. 42/13/CIR of the AGCOM (Communications Authority) came into force on 16/10/2013 regarding the rules for testing the Alias, which is the text sender (string of up to 11 characters as per GSM standard) that you normally use as the sender of your SMS messages.

The purpose of the resolution is to allow mobile phone subscribers to trace the actual sender of an SMS by simply calling their mobile operator’s customer service. In practice, a database will be activated at AGCOM to collect personal information about the aliases used and the companies that use them.

Any Customer wishing to use a text alias as the sender of their SMS messages must first communicate to AGCOM, via Tokydigital srl, their personal details and a contact point relating to the alias used.

If the sender is not registered, SMS messages cannot be sent using an alphanumeric sender or alias.

The Resolution also establishes that aliases can only be used by “non-consumers,” i.e., those with a VAT number or numeric tax code (e.g., associations and non-profit organizations). A “consumer” customer who has registered with their own tax code and uses the SMS delivery service can no longer use an alphanumeric sender or alias, but can continue to send messages using a numeric sender, such as their mobile phone number.

Some questions for potential usage concerns

As a company, what do I need to do to register my custom alias?

Before sending SMS with alphanumeric senders (also called aliases), you must register your aliases.

The procedure for registering alphanumeric senders in the AGCOM databases is integrated into the Tokydigital Omnichannel interface, in the SENDER Request, directly from the SMS sending console, or in the profile area.

To register your or your customers’ alphanumeric senders, simply log in to Tokydigital Omnichannel, in your reserved area, and go to
Campaigns > Send to your customers > New Campaign > Add Sender
Once the request has been submitted, Tokydigital srl will verify whether the requested sender can be activated or not.

The sender is associated with the company brand (in the case of franchisees, points of sale, etc., which do not own the brand but use it, they must submit brand authorization for its use to amministrazione@tokydigital.it

I don’t have a VAT number or numeric tax code. What will change?

If you are an individual (without a VAT number or numeric tax code), you will have to stop sending with alphanumeric senders or ALIASes, but you can continue to use an existing mobile phone number.

If you are an association or consortium, what will change?

If you are an association and/or consortium (numeric tax code) and have an explicit association name, authorization will be granted to use the association and/or consortium’s brand, as long as the use of the association’s name is explicitly stated.

Is it also possible to register ALIASes via API for those using the SMS Gateway?

This will be implemented soon and will be available as soon as the developer area is activated.

Can I register my ALIASes directly with AGCOM?

No, to access the AGCOM database, you must be an authorized operator registered with the Register of Communication Operators. The procedure for registering alphanumeric senders of your SMS messages (also known as aliases) in the AGCOM databases is integrated within Tokydigital Omnichannel.

I send SMS using my mobile or landline number. Do I also need to register that with AGCOM?

No, mobile or landline numbers are not aliases.

So, can I continue to use any sender as I did before?

If you have a VAT number, it’s important that they aren’t “generic” senders, such as “restaurant,” “promotion,” or “info.” They must be specific to the company and data controller.

Can the same alias be assigned to multiple companies?

Yes.

I’m a reseller/agency. What should I do?

Each alias must include the final company’s details, not the reseller’s.

Who will be able to access the AGCOM database?

All data entered will be used exclusively for registration in the AGCOM database, which will be accessible only through individual requests from mobile operators (Vodafone, TIM, Wind, H3G, etc.) and their customer service representatives. They can query it by entering an ALIAS (e.g., ABC) and receive the data for ABC (without details on who entered it as the mobile company).

When will the new regulation actually come into force?

The AGCOM resolution is already in effect. To register your alphanumeric senders or those of your customers, simply log in to Tokydigital Omnichannel and follow the registration procedure. For any assistance, please contact our online support or email supporto@tokydigital.it.

I am a non-Italian company. What should I do?

The AGCOM resolution currently concerns sending SMS to Italian mobile numbers +39 3XX XXXX XXX. A foreign company sending SMS messages with an alphanumeric or alias sender name must register them in the Agcom database. Conversely, if sending to international mobile numbers with a prefix other than +39, no action is required.