P2P SMS
Definition
Person-to-person messaging: ordinary texts typed and exchanged between individual phone users.
P2P SMS, explained
P2P, or person-to-person, SMS is the everyday texting you do with friends, family and coworkers. Each message is written by a person and sent to one or a few people, usually with replies going back and forth. Carriers design their rules for regular mobile plans around this pattern: modest volumes, conversational exchanges and a roughly balanced ratio of sent and received messages. When a single number starts sending large volumes of identical or automated messages, carriers may treat it as unregistered business traffic and filter or block it, because that pattern looks like A2P messaging using a personal line. For people receiving verification codes, the distinction mostly explains why businesses send codes from short codes, toll-free numbers or registered long codes instead of ordinary personal numbers. A temporary verification number, such as one from Noir SMS, only receives messages; it does not send texts at all. If you need two-way personal texting, use your own phone line or a long-term second number.
Related terms
A2P SMS
Application-to-person messaging: texts sent automatically by software, such as verification codes and alerts.
Long code
A standard full-length phone number, like a regular mobile or 10-digit number, used to send or receive texts.
Carrier
A mobile network operator or provider that issues phone numbers and delivers calls and texts.