This article is only applicable to customers sending messages exclusively into the US, using a US/Canada outbound number provided by Sakari with a free Trial account.

Sakari Trial Accounts based in the US are automatically configured with a US local area phone number.  The number is enrolled in a Platform Free Trial (PFT) 10DLC Campaign to allow limited capacity messaging.

How does the PFT work?

Platform Free Trial (PFT) allows Trial Accounts to use a US Local Number (10DLC) to send messaging within the US in a trial/limited capacity. 

You will see this banner in Sakari.

During this trial period, the only costs involved are the standard message fees, which will be deducted from your Free Trial credit balance.

What are the limitations?

All messages sent while on a US Trial must be to a manually opted in contact (restricted to the first 10 opted-in phone numbers), even if you have previously collected an opt-in outside of Sakari.

• Messages can only be sent to contacts who have opted-in specifically to the number
• Only the first 10 and a maximum of 10 contacts will be eligible to receive messages from the number while it is aligned to the PFT
• All messages will be prefixed/watermarked with the following text: [Sakari Trial Msg]
• All messages will be suffixed with: Msg&data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel.

Once a contact has opted in their number, it will have a blue checkmark in Contacts and you will be able to send messages to that number from Sakari.

How do I opt-in a contact?

You cannot opt in contacts - they must do so, by sending the carrier-level opt-in keyword START from their mobile number to the number provided by Sakari.

You can verbally inform the intended contacts how to do this, or you can email instructions or generate a QR code from Sakari.

How do I find the QR code?

For the duration of your Trial, the popup 'Let's start messaging your contacts!' below can be accessed from the Learn More link in the banner.

Note: The QR code is unique to your account. Make sure you obtain your QR code from within your Sakari account for opt-in.

When are the PFT limitations lifted?

Upgrading to a paid account will allow you to include links, email addresses and images in messages from Sakari.

To lift the limitations specific to the PFT (watermark, opt-out suffix and required opt-in), complete the following steps:

1. Upgrade to a paid Sakari account (Upgrade to a paid account)
2. Register your Brand and Campaign with the US SMS carriers via Sakari (see 10DLC Registration Guide (US Messaging)
   • Brand Registration is $4 per submission
   • Campaigns have a $15 charge per Campaign submission and $30/quarter campaign fee (initial charge $45)
3. Wait for Brand and Campaign approval (generally completed within 5-10 business days).

After upgrading and while your 10DLC campaign is pending approval, you will continue to see the following banner.  You can continue to send messages within the PFT restrictions.

The PFT restrictions are only lifted when the number is aligned with an approved 10DLC registration specific to your Brand and messaging.  Once approved, your campaign will automatically update and the restrictions will be lifted.