How to quickly get A2P 10DLC verified numbers?

Question

Just started cold calling with VA's a couple of days ago and we've run into one of our first major issues. Leads are sometimes texting us back at the number we are calling from, however we're unable to respond because the Twilio numbers we're using aren't A2P verified.

We've submitted for verification but understand it can take 6 weeks or months. We're not even sending any text campaigns from these numbers, simply just trying to respond to people who text us back at this number, rather than calling the number we leave in our voicemail.

Is there any way to quickly get verification?

Shebi Khan · Answer

Yeah A2p sucks, and it needs 3 to 4 working days to get approval. Toll toll-free number is the option but people don't respond toll-free. So Toll-free is not a good option. Smarter Contact takes 7 days I guess when I chat with their chat support.

Gustavo Munoz Castro · Answer

A2P sucks, but the approvals have been going faster for us. A workaround used to be using an toll free number (those used to not require A2P for texting), but not sure if that still works now, worth a try as a stop-gap while you get approved. It gets better as you submit more campaigns over time.

How are the VA callers working out for you? I run a call center for Real Estate so always curious how other folks are doing.