A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your New Twilio SMS Messaging Service

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Twilio serves as a cloud communications platform that enables developers to build and integrate various communication methods, like SMS, into their applications. Using Twilio's SMS messaging service allows you to send notifications directly to your contacts' mobile devices.

Before you begin the setup process, it’s essential to understand the key components of Twilio's SMS service. These include:

• Phone Numbers: Unique numbers assigned to your account for sending and receiving messages.

• Messaging Services: Groups of one or more phone numbers, allowing management of multiple numbers, incoming messages to applications via webhooks and settings for sending messages.

• A2P 10DLC Campaigns: The FCC uses these to block and filter spam on US SMS communication networks. Compliance with all regulatory requirements is required for successful messaging.

  
  

Creating a Twilio Account

To begin, you need to create a Twilio account. Here’s a simple process to get you started:

1. Visit the Twilio website: Go to Twilio's homepage.

   
   

2. Sign up for an account: Click on the "Sign Up" button and fill in the required information. You might need to verify your email address.

   
   

3. Choose a pricing plan: Twilio offers options ranging from free trials, where you can send up to 100 messages, to paid plans that suit your needs.

   
   

4. Access the Twilio Console: Once your account is set up, log in to the Twilio Console where you can manage your settings and access API documentation.

   
   

Obtaining a Twilio Phone Number

After creating your account, the next step is to obtain a Twilio phone number. This number will be used for sending and receiving SMS messages, which is crucial for direct communication with your users. To get your Twilio phone number:

1. Navigate to the Phone Numbers section: In the Twilio Console, locate the "Phone Numbers" tab on the left sidebar.

   
   

2. Click on "Manage" then "Buy a Number": This will direct you to a page to search for available phone numbers.

   
   

3. Select a number: You can filter numbers by country and capabilities (like SMS or voice). For example, if you're targeting users in the United States, you might choose a number with an area code relevant to your audience.

   
   

4. Confirm your purchase: Follow the prompts to complete your purchase. You'll receive your Twilio number almost instantly.

   
   

Setting Up Messaging Services

Once you have your Twilio phone number, it’s time to set up a messaging service. This allows you to manage multiple phone numbers and configure settings for messaging. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Go to the Messaging Services section: In the Twilio Console, click on "Messaging" and then select "Services."

   
   

2. Create a new messaging service: Click on the "Create Messaging Service" button.

   
   

3. Name and configure your service: Name your messaging service and select the phone numbers you wish to include. You can enable features like the sticky sender, ensuring messages are sent from the same number consistently, which can improve user trust and engagement.

   
   

4. Configure webhook:

   1. In the Twilio console select "Services" from the left nav

   2. Select the service you would like to integrate with Edulab

   3. Select "Integrations". You will paste your webhook URL from edulab on this page.

   4. If you have not already, visit signup.edulab.ai to create a new Edulab account and copy the webhook URL from the Twilio configuration page of the setup wizard.

   5. Back on the Twilio Service Integration page, select "Send a webhook" radial button

   6. Paste the copied URL into the "Request URL" text box on the service configuration page.

   7. Click "Save".

Twilio Messaging Service Webhook URL Integration

Setting up A2P 10DLP Campaign

A regulatory requirement for a new Twilio phone number is to set up an A2P 10DLC campaign. This prevents messages sent in the US from being filtered or blocked. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Go to the Messaging Services section: In the Twilio Console, click on "Messaging" and then select "Regulatory Compliance."

   
   

2. Register A New Campaign: Click on the "Register A New Campaign" button on any of the 10DLC overview pages. Link the phone number used by the messaging service. Be sure to select the appropriate industry and use your desired text when starting conversations with contacts through your AI models.

Integrating Your Twilio SMS Messaging Service into the Edulab Platform

With your phone number and messaging service established, it's time to integrate the Twilio SMS API into the Twilio Config page at signup.edulab.ai. This integration will allow the Edulab platform to send SMS messages programmatically. Follow these steps:

Twilio Configuration for New Edulab Account signup.edulab.ai

1. Add Twilio Token:

   1. Log in to Twilio Console

   2. Navigate to "Account Dashboard" on the top of the left Nav Panel

   3. Locate "Account" card on bottom left of main page

   4. Copy "Auth Token" value

      
      

2. Add Twilio Account ID:

   1. Log in to Twilio Console

   2. Navigate to "Account Dashboard" on the top of the left Nav Panel

   3. Locate "Account" card on the bottom left of main page

   4. Copy "Account SID" value
      

      
   
   

3. Add Twilio Messaging Service ID:

   1. Log in to Twilio Console

   2. Navigate to "Develop" Tab in Left Nav Panel

   3. Expand "Messaging" section

   4. Select "Services" Link

   5. Find the desired messaging service row in the table under column "Name" and copy the value in "Sid" column for that service. This is your Twilio Messaging Service SID. If configured correctly, you should also notice the "Inbound Request Config" column value matches the URL provided on the Edulab Twilio Sign Up page.
      

      
   
   

⚠️ ⚠️ A2P Campaign Verification Required ⚠️ ⚠️

Before you can send any messages through EduLab, your Twilio A2P campaign must be verified and registered. Messages will not be delivered until this step is complete.

1. Go to the Twilio Campaign Status page:https://console.twilio.com/us1/develop/sms/regulatory-compliance/campaigns

2. Review your campaign’s registration status.

   • If it is still pending, please check back in a couple of days.

   • Only after your campaign shows as verified and active will EduLab be able to send messages.

✅ Once verification is complete, you may continue with EduLab messaging setup.

Monitor Billing on Twilio and the Edulab platform

Your Twilio console will allow you to track each message sent and received as well as detailed logging explaining any errors or issues. Twilio will also track and bill you according to your usage. In addition, the Edulab platform also tracks messages sent and bills accordingly. Edulab offers discounted pricing for customers opting to use their own Twilio messaging service. Customers will then pay their monthly Twilio bill in addition to their monthly Edulab bill.

Now that you have the knowledge to set up your Twilio SMS messaging service, it’s time to continue provisioning your new environment by selecting an AI agent and choosing a subscription. We hope this has been a quick and easy integration, please reach out to support@edulab.ai with any further questions!